At this point, the poster includes examples of the avatars that the students created and the names that the students chose for them.

For this assignment, the students had two options for creating a visual image of their character

The students could choose to use any online Avatar makers as long as the maker included:

• The avatars full body
• Could be used for the creation of human(oid) avatars
• Could download a picture of their avatar for free

When creating their avatar using an online avatar maker, the students were also asked to not use on of the avatar creators based in other fictional universes such as Lego or Southpark.

Examples of the online avatar creators that students could use include:

• https://xdanond.deviantart.com/art/Anime-Character-Maker-2-2-127595045
• http://www.heromachine.com/heromachine-3-lab/
• http://doppelme.com/create/

If they preferred, they could draw/paint/sculpt their character and then photograph an image of the character that they had created.

The purpose of this was for the students to exercise creativity and start from scratch.

Students' Key Concept Examples

1. Origins

Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in a small town of Illinois. Today his name is one of the most well known names nation wide; between theme parks, merchandise, movies, television shows, animated characters and more his livelihood lives on today. The wealth of Walt Disney and his family did not come without failure. He pursued many interest in his early career including joining the army (later to be defined as the Red Cross in France due to his age), selling snacks, newspapers, and studying art. He eventually found his true passion in animated art and worked with his brother Roy in addition to other fellow artists at a newspaper company. Eventually he decided to open his own business asking a few of his peers from the company to join him. They began making what they called Laugh-O-Grams and initially were doing well for themselves, but sadly they had to file bankruptcy.  Shortly after declaring bankruptcy of his first business, Walt and his brother Roy moved to California where Walt took action on an idea he had been thinking of, a new character. This character was named Mickey Mouse. From here on out, the Walt Disney company had a face for their company and did better and better as the years went on. Walt and his family company have truly changed many lives with there work and have worked everyday to make this world a more magical place. Walt's legacy lives on today in the parks, movies, and business that is the Walt Disney Company. His origin is one I know well and truly am thankful for. His dream of making the world a more magical place has given me the opportunity to work at the most magical place on Earth and for that, I couldn't be more grateful to him and for the Mouse! 

2. Questing Beast

The movie Elf revolves around the main character, Buddy, who has felt out of place his whole life. Once he finally finds out he’s not actually an elf, Santa has to tell him the story of how he got into his bag as a baby and was raised among the elves of the North Pole. He continues with the story by telling him about how his biological father actually lives in New York, serving as his Questing Beast. After finding out all this information, it becomes Buddy's "call to adventure" to meet his father and understand/learn where he is actually from. The movie follows him throughout his journey from leaving what he has always known, the North Pole, and entering a new environment, in order to fill the void of misfit that he has felt his whole life. After meeting his father and his family, his life and those around him, is changed drastically. In the end, he feels complete and even saves Christmas, igniting the Christmas spirit that has been lacking. He also changes his father's perspective, who is now a believer and more hopeful all-around. He created a bond with his family, and even a new friend, that he would not have ever achieved had he not received that Questing Beast that Santa presented him.

3. Gigantomachia

In the sports world, the New England Patriots football team is considered the greatest giant and evil empire in the NFL. They have been dominant because of Bill Belichick (the coach), Tom Brady (the QB) and a tough defense. The Eagles met this evil empire back in 2005, but unfortunately the empire got the best of the Eagles that day. It took a very long time for the Eagles to get their shot again, and were even considered one of the worst teams in the NFL shortly before their rise to glory. Then this year, in Superbowl 52, the Eagles made it back to the big game and had the opportunity to slain the Patriots. Through adversity and some injuries, the Eagles were still able to come up on top and defeat the Patriots once and for all. This win was not only a big deal because of the defeat of the evil empire, but also brought the city of Philadelphia their first Superbowl in history of the franchise.

4. Holy Grail

In the movie series "The Hobbit" the crew of dwarfs, a wizard, and a hobbit set out on a journey to recover the "Arkenstone" which is a gem which grants the authority over the dwarfs of the land. The main character Thorin Oakenshield is the rightful king but will not be recognized as king until recovering the gem and reclaiming the kingdom from the dragon Smaug. After the kingdom is reclaimed Thorin goes sort of mad with greed and power as he hasn't yet found the Arkenstone although has the massive cache of gold and riches. This stone acts as a holy grail because it can be used for good to unite the dwarven regimes for good but at the same time easily corrupts those who seek it. In the case of Thorins father (the past king), he went mad with greed and power and ultimately died and lost the kingdom for this reason.

5. Marital/Martial Conflict

A great example of the Martial/Marital conflict appears in the TV show, Rachel lands a job at Bloomingdale's, which is a dream job of sorts for her because she is interested in fashion. She begins to impress many people and work long hours, sometimes well into the night. This upsets her boyfriend, Ross, because he feels as though he never sees her. Rachel's demanding job puts a strain on their relationship, and they end up bickering constantly. Rachel has to choose between the job she loves and the man she loves. If she keeps the job at Bloomingdale's, it is likely that her and Ross will break up. But, if she stays with Ross, she will lose the job she's worked so hard to earn. This displays the conflict of choosing between your marital duties and your martial duties. In the end, Rachel does not have to choose between the two of them because Ross ends up cheating on Rachel while the two decide to "take a break" and figure out their relationship.

6. The Other (As a Mirror)

My example for this KCE is from Harry Potter. I have selected Harry Potter due to the final battle scene between Harry and Voldemort being so evenly matched and epic due to their wizardly powers.  Both of the wizards understand the importance of magic and wizardry but want to use if for two different reasons. Voldemort killed Harry's parents years ago and when trying to kill Harry it then shot a spell back at him, leaving the two connected ever since. When the two are battling in the end, you're almost wondering what's going to happen because a prophecy by Dumbledore states that for Voldemort to die, Harry must die. Therefore, really leaving Harry feeling like he is fighting himself in the end because if Voldemort dies, he could likely die. But, he wants the best for all wizards, meaning he is willing to die for that cause. In the end, good prevails and Harry is able to defeat Voldemort and restore good wizardry and he destroys the Elder Wand, that inspired this dark magic by Voldemort. Harry was willing to die (kill himself) to kill an extended version of himself to save the world.

7. Who Am I? Crisis

There is a key moment in the movie Zoolander where Derek Zoolander, the main character experiences his own "Who Am I?" conflict. Zoolander is a successful male model but is growing old; he faces the man who he believes to be his enemy, a younger and budding male model. After Zoolander doesn't believe he is cut out for this life and career anymore, he quits and returns to his hometown to live with his father and brothers. The only problem here is that his family are all coal-miners which is an extremely labor-intensive job and Zoolander is extremely flamboyant and not manly whatsoever. After only a day of working alongside his brothers and father, Zoolander faces an extreme conflict about his career. If he can't fit in with his own family and feels his already established career fleeting from him, what can he do about it? He defines himself in what he does, like most people. He finally receives a call from his agent in the midst of his dilemma, and ends up returning to his modeling career.

Students’ Collaborative Giant Ideas

At this point the poster presents three examples of giants, which students created in "regional" groups to send to other groups. This was one in a series of collaborative activities that involved individual contributions and ultimately, up-voting their favorite example to pass on to another group as a challenge. The results were impressive. Many students included images along with their descriptions. The three examples featured on the poster include:

1. Nykthos, Angel of Death

"Upon exiting the cave, the adventurer was greeted by a dusk and cloudy landscape full of mountains and a large lake. Curious, they ventured onto a nearby dock as they saw a strange book lying on a crate. Upon opening the book a thunderous boom rang out and the water started spiraling. From the lake emerged a dark figure shrouded in a dark robe. The figure shot into the sky, snatching the book and shedding the robe.

The adventurer stood shocked, and in a panic yelled "who art thou". The figure Proclaimed in a bone chilling tone "I am Nykthos, the Angel of Death" and as Nykthos spoke, wings began to sprout from its back, hands with eyes on the palm began to emerge from its torso, it began to float and the "Angel" began chanting scriptures from the book. The hero knowing they were in some grave danger began to run and think of a strategy.

As the hero ran the Nykthos began casting projectile spells and summoning monsters of the underworld. Dodging the projectiles and running from monsters the hero found a cave in which Nykthos would not enter, although his monsters would. Seeing as Nykthos wouldn't enter, the hero delved deeper into the cave in hopes of discovering some artifact, weapon, or spell in order to defeat the Angel."

2. Varosh

Varosh looms and towers over all ordinary men, he is at least 4 times their height.  He has an unkept almost grotesque appearance with long raggedy hair and an unkempt beard.  He has the strength to rival his height and has been known to kill men in a single strike, blowing them across any clearing with very little effort. He reeks of death and decay, due to the way he stores the food he collects from his victims. He wears tattered rags made from the goods that his challengers wore into battle, along with these rags he has a necklace that is fashioned from the weapons left from his greatest competitors…. Do you have what it takes to best this abomination in battle? Or will you too become one of his victims with your prized weapon kept around his neck as a trophy of your defeat?

3. Walking Tree Man

For as long as the eye can see, all the hero spots is desert; barren, dry, cracked dirt and stones stretching as far as the horizon. In the distance, the hero notices a tall "being" walking about the deserted lands. It seemed to be tied to this area, as it kept circling around the dry lands, patrolling it. The being looked to be at least 50 feet tall! What is this being doing here, and does it mean any harm? The hero could not be completely sure, so he/she attempts to sneak down the hill towards the being, and hide behind a massive boulder for a better look. The giant seemed to be made of thorny branches and was all wooden-like. It resembled the features of a man. The hero decided to dub it "The Walking Tree Man". The hero ponders if this meeting was fate, and contemplates approaching the giant. Should it be hostile, the hero takes note of some weaknesses. Using common sense and knowledge, the hero realizes if the giant is made of wood, a simple fire should bring it down... however there was none to be seen in this deserted ash-land. What can they do?