Empathize
Empathize
You will investigate user preferences and concerns around go-kart design, conducting interviews with community partners like your dad and seeking insights from your teachers, while keeping a journal of their feedback and ideas to inform your design approach.
Days 1 - 5
Define
Define
You will synthesize information from your initial research and feedback from community partners to develop a clear problem statement addressing the balance between a strong frame, adequate power, and safety for your go-kart, documenting your findings and thoughts in your journal while preparing a visual report comparing gas and electric options.
Days 6 - 10
Ideate
Ideate
You will engage in brainstorming sessions to explore various design ideas for your go-kart, utilize feedback from your dad and teachers to refine potential solutions, and document your creative process through sketches and notes in your weekly journal.
Days 11 - 17
Prototype
Prototype
You will collaborate with community partners at your dad's welding shop to construct a functional go-kart prototype, documenting your problem-solving process, testing different power systems, and refining your design based on feedback from teachers and peers, while keeping a weekly journal to reflect on challenges and learning progress.
Days 18 - 26
135 min over capacity (540 min available across 9 days)
Test/Present
Test/Present
You will test your go-kart by inviting peers, teachers, and community partners for feedback, conduct a live demonstration, record their insights, and showcase your learning journey through a video and journal presentation, making revisions for optimal performance and safety.
Days 27 - 35
75 min over capacity (540 min available across 9 days)
Empathize
Days 1–5
Day 1
Empathize by Interviewing and Observing Go-Karts
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 2
Synthesize Insights and Start Research Artifacts
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 3
Document User Research Artifacts
Deliverable
75m
Day 4
Problem Synthesis with Community Input
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 5
Frame Topology Sketching and Safety Planning
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Define
Days 6–10
Day 6
Frame Go-Kart Problem
Deliverable
90m
Day 7
Safety Constraints and Kickoff Discussion
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 8
Powertrain Research Gas vs Electric
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 9
Frame and Chassis Concept Sketching
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 10
Concept Gallery Feedback and Revision
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Ideate
Days 11–17
Day 11
Prototype Plan and Safety Manual Outline
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 12
Go-Kart Concept Brainstorm
Deliverable
60m
Day 13
Safety-First Go-Kart Frame Concept Review
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 14
Gas vs Electric Power System Analysis
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 15
Frame Drafting and Materials Planning
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 16
Hands-On Welding Session with Mentors
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 17
Weekly Reflection Journal and Portfolio Update
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Prototype
Days 18–26
Day 18
Shop Safety, Roles, and Setup
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 19
Power System Overview: Electric vs Gas
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 20
Frame Measurement and Alignment Practice
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 21
Subsystem Integration Planning
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 22
Safety Manual Draft and Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 23
Testing Feedback Report
Deliverable
90m
Day 24
Set Up Testing Protocols and Data Sheets
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 25
Safety Review and Hazard Mapping
Knowledge/Skill Building
45m
Day 26
Gas vs Electric Powertrain Performance Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Test/Present
Days 27–35
Day 27
Demo Prep and Peer Feedback Design
Knowledge/Skill Building
50m
Day 28
Portfolio Video Journal and Reflection
Knowledge/Skill Building
40m
Day 29
Safety and Build Readiness Check
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 30
Power System Comparison Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 31
Frame Integrity and Weight Distribution
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 32
Performance Metrics Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 33
Portfolio Update and Stakeholder Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 34
Gather Feedback from Go-Kart Demo Panel
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 35
Go-Kart Final Showcase
Assessment
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Empathize
Empathize by Interviewing and Observing Go-Karts
29
Day 2
Synthesize Insights and Start Research Artifacts
30
Day 3
Document User Research Artifacts
1
Day 4
Problem Synthesis with Community Input
2
Day 5
Frame Topology Sketching and Safety Planning
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 6
Define
Frame Go-Kart Problem
6
Day 7
Safety Constraints and Kickoff Discussion
7
Day 8
Powertrain Research Gas vs Electric
8
Day 9
Frame and Chassis Concept Sketching
9
Day 10
Concept Gallery Feedback and Revision
12
Day 11
Ideate
Prototype Plan and Safety Manual Outline
13
Day 12
Go-Kart Concept Brainstorm
14
Day 13
Safety-First Go-Kart Frame Concept Review
15
Day 14
Gas vs Electric Power System Analysis
16
Day 15
Frame Drafting and Materials Planning
19
Day 16
Hands-On Welding Session with Mentors
20
Day 17
Weekly Reflection Journal and Portfolio Update
21
Day 18
Prototype
Shop Safety, Roles, and Setup
22
Day 19
Power System Overview: Electric vs Gas
23
Day 20
Frame Measurement and Alignment Practice
26
Day 21
Subsystem Integration Planning
27
Day 22
Safety Manual Draft and Reflection
28
Day 23
Testing Feedback Report
29
Day 24
Set Up Testing Protocols and Data Sheets
30
Day 25
Safety Review and Hazard Mapping
November 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
2
Day 26
Gas vs Electric Powertrain Performance Lab
3
Day 27
Test/Present
Demo Prep and Peer Feedback Design
4
Day 28
Portfolio Video Journal and Reflection
5
Day 29
Safety and Build Readiness Check
6
Day 30
Power System Comparison Lab
9
Day 31
Frame Integrity and Weight Distribution
10
Day 32
Performance Metrics Workshop
11
Day 33
Portfolio Update and Stakeholder Feedback
12
Day 34
Gather Feedback from Go-Kart Demo Panel
13
Day 35
Go-Kart Final Showcase