{"id":976,"date":"2023-11-14T15:43:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T20:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/xcc\/?page_id=976"},"modified":"2026-10-14T14:27:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:27:45","slug":"cross-college-challenge-at-the-experiential-learning-expo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/xcc\/about\/events\/experiential-learning-expo\/cross-college-challenge-at-the-experiential-learning-expo\/","title":{"rendered":"Cross-College Challenge at the Experiential Learning Expo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fall<\/p>\n

The Cross-College Challenge (XCC)<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This semester there are 7 different XCC courses, 5 that will present from 3-5PM and *2 Spark XCC’s (HUB XC 473 and HUB XC 475) that will present from 4-7PM as part of Demo Day<\/a>.\u00a0 Today\u2019s program will showcase the XCC teams as they discuss their semester-long projects. Teams will display simultaneous presentations on digital boards every 30 minutes.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Schedule: December 11, 2026<\/h2>\n

1:30-2:45pm Team check-in, presenters troubleshoot slides (presenters only)
\n3:00-3:15pm Welcome
\n3:15-3:45pm Round 1 presentations
\n3:50-4:20pm Round 2 presentations
\n4:25-4:55pm Round 3 presentations
\n5:00pm Adjourn<\/p>\n

Fall 2026 Courses<\/h2>\n

The BU Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the Hub\u2019s signature interdisciplinary project-based, 4-credit elective course open to juniors and seniors from all of BU\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Tree<\/h3>\n

HUB XC 437<\/h3>\n

Environmental Justice and Urban Tree Canopies<\/h3>\n

Sal Genovese<\/a> (CGS) and Joelle Renstrom<\/a> (CGS)<\/p>\n

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\u2019 goals. They will present their findings and report to their community partners. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Back<\/p>\n

HUB XC 411<\/h3>\n

Back to the Past: Gaming and Design for Immersive Role Play<\/h3>\n

Kathryn Lamontagne<\/a> (CGS) and Seth Blumenthal<\/a> (CAS)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"WHAT<\/h3>\n

HUB XC 422<\/h3>\n

Exploring Walkability in Boston<\/h3>\n

Tom Anastasi<\/span><\/a> (QST) and Stacey Gelsheimer<\/a> (CAS)<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

BU Spark! XCC Courses<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The BU Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the Hub\u2019s signature interdisciplinary project-based, 4-credit elective course open to juniors and seniors from all of BU\u2019s undergraduate schools and colleges. The XCC engages students in team projects that address a real-world problem or an enduring human question. Students who are especially passionate about a particular subject matter and prepared to be active participants in a rigorous team-based experience are highly recommended to register early as seats are limited. Through the <\/strong>Cross-College Challenge (XCC)<\/strong><\/a>, BU Spark! offers students in tech and relevant non-computing majors the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary practicum courses while fulfilling multiple BU Hub requirements.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

HUB XC 473<\/h3>\n

Spark! Justice Media Co-Lab<\/h3>\n

Brooke Williams<\/span><\/a> (COM) and Anthony Chamberas<\/a> (CDS)<\/p>\n

If you have a background in computer and data science, statistics, computer engineering, or journalism-related disciplines, XC410 A1 will match you with computational journalism projects provided by external media partners (like the Boston Globe<\/em>, CBS Boston, GBH, USA Today<\/em>, and more). You will work on computational investigations focused on issues of justice and accountability, and be guided by veteran faculty practitioners in journalism and computer and data science. An application for registration to this course is required.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

HUB XC 475<\/h3>\n

Spark! Technology Innovation Fellowship<\/h3>\n

\"Spark!<\/p>\n

Ziba Cranmer<\/span><\/a> (BU Spark!<\/span>) and James Grady<\/a> (CFA)<\/p>\n

If you have a project you want to build or take to the next level but don\u2019t know where to start, XC475 will help you take your project from an idea to a working prototype in one semester. If you don\u2019t have an idea but want to join a student-driven innovation project, this course is for you too. You will work through Spark!\u2019s structured product innovation process with technical support from Spark! experts and industry mentors. An application and interview for registration to this course are required.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Explore Cross-College Challenge projects from past Expos:<\/h2>\n