Empathize
Empathize
You will engage in a nature walk at a local reserve or park to observe tortoises in their natural habitat, take detailed notes on their behaviors and environmental preferences, and gather insights to inform the design of a tortoise enclosure that meets all survival needs.
Days 1 - 3
Ideate
Ideate
You will brainstorm and explore various design ideas for your tortoise enclosure through interactive sketching sessions, collaborative discussions with classmates, and reflecting on tortoise habitat research to generate diverse solution possibilities tuned to meet the tortoise's needs and align with project goals.
Days 7 - 10
Prototype
Prototype
You will construct a functional prototype of your tortoise enclosure, incorporating feedback from peers and experts to refine your design and ensure it effectively meets the survival needs of the species, using hands-on skills learned during community collaboration sessions.
Days 11 - 15
Empathize
Days 1–3
Day 1
Nature Walk to Observe Tortoise Habitats
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Meet Park Stakeholders
Launch
60m
Day 2
Day 3
Synthesize Field Observations into Problem
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Define
Days 4–6
Day 4
Frame Tortoise Habitat Problem (90 min)
Deliverable
90m
Day 5
From Observation to Tortoise Enclosure Sketches
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 6
Prototype Planning: Layouts and Materials
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Ideate
Days 7–10
Day 7
Tortoise Enclosure Concepts (60 min)
Deliverable
60m
Day 8
Creating Low-Fidelity Enclosure Layout Sketches
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 9
Peer Review of Enclosure Design Plans
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 10
Material Feasibility and Safety Planning
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Prototype
Days 11–15
Day 11
Low-Fidelity Tort Enclosure
Deliverable
60m
Day 12
Collaborative Peer Design Review Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 13
Materials, Safety, and Sustainability Audit
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 14
Comprehensive Tortoise Habitat Requirements Mapping
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 15
Scaled Model or Digital Mock-up Build
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Test/Present
Days 16–20
Day 16
Expo Q&A Practice and Reflective Revision
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 17
From Field Observations to Design Specs
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 18
Develop Construction Drawings and Materials List
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 19
Peer Review and Design Refinement
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 20
Tortoise Habitat Expo
Assessment
May 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
25
Day 1
Empathize
Nature Walk to Observe Tortoise Habitats
Meet Park Stakeholders
26
Day 2
27
Day 3
Synthesize Field Observations into Problem
28
Day 4
Define
Frame Tortoise Habitat Problem (90 min)
June 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
Day 5
From Observation to Tortoise Enclosure Sketches
2
Day 6
Prototype Planning: Layouts and Materials
3
Day 7
Ideate
Tortoise Enclosure Concepts (60 min)
4
Day 8
Creating Low-Fidelity Enclosure Layout Sketches
8
Day 9
Peer Review of Enclosure Design Plans
9
Day 10
Material Feasibility and Safety Planning
10
Day 11
Prototype
Low-Fidelity Tort Enclosure
11
Day 12
Collaborative Peer Design Review Workshop
15
Day 13
Materials, Safety, and Sustainability Audit
16
Day 14
Comprehensive Tortoise Habitat Requirements Mapping
17
Day 15
Scaled Model or Digital Mock-up Build
18
Day 16
Test/Present
Expo Q&A Practice and Reflective Revision
22
Day 17
From Field Observations to Design Specs
23
Day 18
Develop Construction Drawings and Materials List
24
Day 19
Peer Review and Design Refinement
25
Day 20
Tortoise Habitat Expo