Cross-College Challenge at the Experiential Learning Expo

The Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the signature, project-based experience of the BU Hub general education program. XCC enables undergraduates from different majors across BU to work collaboratively on teams and with community partners to design and execute projects that have real-world impact. Each XCC section is led by two distinguished faculty members who bring different disciplinary perspectives to guide the teams as they conduct research and develop their projects. To learn more about XCC and future course offerings, visit our XCC website.

This semester there are 8 different XCC courses, 6 that will present from 3-5PM and *2 Spark XCC’s that will present from 4-7PM as part of Demo Day.  Today’s program will showcase the XCC teams as they discuss their semester-long projects. Teams will display simultaneous presentations on digital boards every 25 minutes.  We invite all of you to engage with the teams as they present their projects and answer questions. Please see the schedule for team presentations below.

Schedule

1:30-2:45pm Team check-in, presenters troubleshoot slides (presenters only)
3:00-3:15pm Welcome
3:15-3:45pm Round 1 presentations
3:50-4:20pm Round 2 presentations
4:25-4:55pm Round 3 presentations
5:00pm Adjourn

Fall 2025 Courses

The BU Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the Hub’s signature interdisciplinary project-based, 4-credit elective course open to juniors and seniors from all of BU’s undergraduate schools and colleges. The XCC engages students in team projects that address a real-world problem or an enduring human question. During this event, student teams will present their final projects as part of the following Cross-College Challenge courses.

HUB XC 411 A1

Back to the Past: Gaming and Design for Immersive Role Play

Kathryn Lamontagne (CGS) and Seth Blumenthal (CAS)

In this game-based Cross-College Challenge (XCC) course, students will play and then design an immersive role-playing game for the Reacting to the Past (RTTP) consortium, our community partner. RTTP uses active, experiential learning to help students engage with important social, political, historical, and cultural debates. Student teams will research, create, playtest, and pitch their own micro-games based on controversies broadly related to topics such as social justice, science and technology, law, and/or focused in the Northeast.

Presenters

HUB XC 422 A1

Exploring Walkability in Boston

Tom Anastasi (QST) and Stacey Gelsheimer (CAS)

Students will explore concepts of social justice as they relate to walkability in Boston while working with our community partner WalkMassachusetts. Students will identify a problem and create a compelling short video that will provide solutions to social justice inequities using economic principles and theories. No filmmaking experience required and all filming can be done with a cell phone camera.

Presenters

HUB XC 433 A1

Exploring World Cultures through Puppetry Arts

Felice Amato (CFA)

Explore world cultures and current events through the lens of puppetry arts! Come tap into your creative, playful, and risk-taking selves. Learn a variety of world puppetry techniques and find your own voice through teamwork and collaboration. Experience the power of global storytelling to build bridges of intercultural communication.

Presenters

HUB XC 437 A1

Environmental Justice and Urban Tree Canopies

Sal Genovese (CGS) and Joelle Renstrom (CGS)

Students will learn about urban tree canopies, the environmental, socio-cultural, physiological, and psychological benefits of tree cover; understand the causes and effects of redlining and other policies that contribute to tree canopy variations and environmental injustice; gain insight into attitudes and values of residents and communities; and perhaps even plant trees. Working in teams, students will collaborate with community partners on projects relevant to the course and to those partners’ goals. They will present their findings and report to their community partners.

Presenters