Students will investigate real people’s needs in their community to understand meaningful problems a robot could help solve. Through direct interviews, observation, and structured empathy mapping, they will gather evidence from at least two users and document insights that will guide their problem definition in the next phase.

Students will synthesize their empathy interview findings into clear patterns, define a focused community robotics challenge grounded in real user evidence, and craft a strong How Might We statement that will guide ideation in the next phase.

Students will generate a wide range of robotics solution ideas grounded in real user needs, evaluate those ideas using evidence from their research, and create detailed concept sketches and storyboards that will guide prototyping in the next phase.

Students will build, test, and refine increasingly functional robot prototypes that address real user needs. They will move from rapid low-fidelity models to working programmed robots, conduct structured user testing, document feedback, and revise their designs based on evidence in preparation for final testing and presentation.

Students will conduct a final validation test with a new user, refine their robots based on authentic feedback, prepare and rehearse a design-story presentation, participate in a community-facing Robot Rescue Rally, and reflect on their growth in technical skills and teamwork.