Launch
Launch
Students will launch the Future Auto Challenge by observing a real-world phenomenon, testing starter materials, and building shared expectations for how they will design a future car that balances performance, chemical energy, and environmental impact. They will begin using evidence, questions, and early feedback routines that carry into later phases.
Days 1 - 3
User Research Synthesis
User Research Synthesis
Students will synthesize interview, observation, and quick evidence from real users to identify transportation and environmental needs, build empathy artifacts, check assumptions against data, and refine the design problem their future car should address.
Days 4 - 9
Design Brief Creation
Design Brief Creation
Students will turn user research and science evidence into a focused future-car design brief by defining a clear problem, checking assumptions against evidence, and setting measurable success criteria for materials, energy systems, and environmental impact before moving into concept generation.
Days 10 - 15
Prototype Validated Expo
Prototype Validated Expo
Students will refine their future-car prototype through two documented feedback-and-revision cycles, validate design choices with a new user or community voice, and assemble an evidence-based Future Auto Expo presentation that explains materials, fuel chemistry, environmental impact, and next steps.
Days 22 - 27
Showcase
Showcase
Students will finalize and present their future car solutions to an authentic audience, use audience and peer feedback to explain and defend their design decisions, and reflect on how chemistry evidence, user needs, and environmental impact shaped their prototype revisions.
Days 28 - 30
Launch
Days 1–3
User Research Synthesis
Days 4–9
Design Brief Creation
Days 10–15
Concepts Prototyped
Days 16–21
Prototype Validated Expo
Days 22–27
Showcase
Days 28–30
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 2
🧪 Car Body Material Test Lab
🧪 Car Body Material Test Lab
29
Day 3
✏️ Car Idea Sketch Critique
✏️ Car Idea Sketch Critique
30
Day 4
User Research Synthesis
👀 Transit Needs Interview Practice
👀 Transit Needs Interview Practice
31
Day 5
🗺️ User Notes to Empathy Map
🗺️ User Notes to Empathy Map
August 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Day 6
⚙️ Material Samples and Pollution Clues
⚙️ Material Samples and Pollution Clues
4
Day 7
📞 Community Voices on Cleaner Cars
📞 Community Voices on Cleaner Cars
5
Day 8
🧩 Problem Themes and Need Statements
🧩 Problem Themes and Need Statements
6
Day 9
✅ Empathy Evidence Checkpoint
✅ Empathy Evidence Checkpoint
10
Day 11
⚛️ Materials and Bonding Evidence Lab
⚛️ Materials and Bonding Evidence Lab
11
Day 12
🧪 Fuel Reaction Decision Tools
🧪 Fuel Reaction Decision Tools
12
Day 13
🌊 CO2 Impact Criteria Check
🌊 CO2 Impact Criteria Check
13
Day 14
✍️ How Might We Brief Draft
✍️ How Might We Brief Draft
14
Day 15
✅ Design Brief Milestone Review
✅ Design Brief Milestone Review
18
Day 17
🧱 Body Materials Bonding Sort
🧱 Body Materials Bonding Sort
19
Day 18
✏️ Three Future Car Concepts
✏️ Three Future Car Concepts
20
Day 19
📐 Low-Tech Prototype Build
📐 Low-Tech Prototype Build
21
Day 20
💬 Prototype Feedback Carousel
💬 Prototype Feedback Carousel
24
Day 21
✅ Concept Gate Review
✅ Concept Gate Review
26
Day 23
🛠️ Prototype Revision Sprint One
🛠️ Prototype Revision Sprint One
27
Day 24
💬 Two-Peer Critique Protocol
💬 Two-Peer Critique Protocol
28
Day 25
🌍 CO2 Water Impact Check
🌍 CO2 Water Impact Check
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
31
Day 26
🚗 Expert Validation and Sprint Two
🚗 Expert Validation and Sprint Two
1
Day 27
🖼️ Future Auto Expo Draft
🖼️ Future Auto Expo Draft
3
Day 29
💬 Expo Feedback and Revision
💬 Expo Feedback and Revision
4
Day 30
🚗 Community Showcase Presentations
🚗 Community Showcase Presentations