WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

In your project group, decide on a direction, sketch your design, write your concept statement, and create a storyboard

To start making decisions about the form and function of your future transit design

Final Project Expectations

Your design will draw inspiration from futuristic projects and go beyond them to reimagine new and transformative transportation systems powered by a sustainable source

Bring your ideas to life using AI and storyboarding tools to create a compelling story that showcases how your futuristic system works, who it serves, and how it improves mobility.

Your prototype will fit within a 50x50 box and include interactivity/movement, such as electronics or a mechanical movement

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ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Paper

Metal Ruler

Pencil 

Markers 

Colors

1st

2nd

3rd



4th

In your group, finalize your concept idea.

Next, students should begin to develop sketches to their final concept idea.

Once each sketch is complete, share your sketches with your instructor.

Start by looking at your sketches with your partner/ in your group. Together, decide on the main idea and form of your project. Have a draft of a project name and a draft of a project concept thesis sentence by the end of class.

Instructions

5st

Next, you will create a storyboard

Plan Your Story – Define your futuristic transportation system, identify its users,

showcase the vehicle in several states -- the beginning of the journey, the middle, and the end. For example, how does a passenger board, navigate, and depart from the transit.

Sketch Key Scenes – Draw 6-8 frames showing how the system works, including people, vehicles, and environments, with arrows or labels for movement.

Refine & Present – Add captions, highlight key technologies, and explain how your concept improves mobility before sharing your storyboard.

Instructions

When writing an essay, a thesis statement is a sentence that states the topic and purpose of your writing. A good thesis statement will direct the structure of your essay and will allow your reader to understand the ideas you will discuss within your paper.

A thesis statement for a creative project serves a similar purpose. This statement will guide your research and prototyping throughout the creative process.

EXAMPLE PROJECT THESIS

The 'Segmented Mountain Climber' is a mountain-traversing vehicle featuring segmented compartments and specialized "wegs" for superior grip. Inspired by spider legs, it smoothly navigates challenging terrain using a servo mechanism for turning. Crafted from sturdy wood and controlled by an Arduino system, it offers a polished solution for mountain traversal.

‘Segmented Mountain Climber’

TRANSITOPIA THESIS QUESTIONS

What is it?

How does it work?

What inspired the design?

Why is it needed?

Answer the most important of these questions for your specific project. 

Speak in the "third person". Do not use the words "I" or "you" in your thesis statement. 

As the first time working with your new partner, you will need to compromise and negotiate. 

PROJECT NAME GENERATOR

It is easier to write a thesis statement for your project once you have chosen a project name. 

Here is one technique for coming up with many name options to choose from. 

Project Theme 1

Project Theme 2

Possible Project Names

Water 

Hydro

Liquid

Rain

Dry 

Pack

Collector 

Wear

Camel

 

Suit

Water Pack

Water Wear 

Water Suit

Hydro Wear 

Hydro Pack 

Rain Collector 

Rain Camel 

Rain Wear 

Defining the thesis of your project is an important step. It may take multiple drafts to get it right. This thesis can evolve over the course of the design process. Ask others to critique your words. 

The Climbclaw is an attachment that helps users in climbing things like spiderman. It is made out of cardboard and has spikes. 

exohand

what

things?

what would the final materials be?

SKETCHES

STORYBOARD

WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

Use AI tools to envision the environment your project will be in.

Using AI as a storytelling tool to help describe your Transitopia proposal to others



1st

2nd

With your group, look through some inspirational images that fit your project design

Use AI tools to create a visual representation of the environment where your transportation project operates, focusing on visual language, built structures, and terrain.

ACTIVITY STEPS

3nd

Use Canva to create a collage by combining your project photo with your AI-generated image

Inspirational Images

1.

You are going to come up with some guiding words for your image generation. These will be the words that help develop your AI-generated images.

Choose at least 6 words that define the scene you are going to create. Your word set should have at least 2 adjectives and 2 nouns

It's ok if your word set evolves as you find useful images and refine your ideas.

Example Word Set:

Futuristic

Vibrant

Rocky

Rove

Robots

Mountain

2.

AI Visioning World

Computers with AI webpage loaded

AI Visioning World

2.

Note: You can use ChatGPT, poe, Dall-E, Craiyon, Canva, or any other.

Now enter your text prompt into the generator and see the results. If you are not happy with the images, you can click "regenerate." You can also refine your text prompt in several iterations to get closer to a design that matches your idea.



"A futuristic transportation system operating in a coastal city with solar-powered vehicles and an efficient renewable energy grid."

"An autonomous vehicle network in a mountainous region powered by wind energy, with rugged terrain and snowy conditions."

Activity Examples

Word Set:

Crystalized

Desolate

Angular

Space Dog

Power nodes

Rocks

3.

Collage

In Canva, make a new document that has a 16:9 aspect ratio

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Import your AI generated image and project photo

Removed the background of your project photo - https://www.remove.bg/

Move your project photo so that it fits and integrates into the AI-generated world

Collage

3.

PROJECT EXAMPLE



Submit your AI generated visuals in the response tab

Deliverables

LEVER

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

A lever is a machine consisting of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, or fulcrum.

WHEEL & AXLE

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

The wheel and axle consists of a wheel attached to a smaller axle so that these two parts rotate together in which a force is transferred from one to the other.

INCLINED PLANE

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

An inclined plane is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load.

WEDGE

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

PULLEY

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, rope or belt along its circumference.

SCREW

A wedge is a triangular shaped tool used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place.

A screw is a mechanism that converts rotational motion to linear motion, and a torque to a linear force.

Scissor Lift

A scissor lift mechanism is a type of mechanical lifting system that uses linked, folding supports in a crisscross (scissor-like) pattern to raise or lower a platform.

Scissor Lift

Tentacle

Tentacle motion refers to the flexible, fluid movement of a tentacle, commonly seen in octopuses, squids, and other cephalopods. Unlike rigid robotic arms or mechanical linkages, tentacle motion is highly dynamic, capable of bending, twisting, extending, and contracting in multiple directions without fixed joints.

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WHAT WE ARE MAKING

WHY WE ARE MAKING IT

Paper airplanes designed for distance, a accuracy, and style.

To get warmed up in the studio with a hands-on activity that focuses on moving something from one place to another.

Instructions

1st

Understanding Flight 

Before you start folding, let’s talk about how planes fly! There are 4 key forces at work when your plane is in the air:

• Lift: Keeps the plane up.
• Thrust: Pushes the plane forward.
• Drag: Slows the plane down.
• Gravity: Pulls the plane down.

Think about how you can use these forces to your advantage when designing your plane.

2nd

Design Your Paper Airplane 



Time to fold ! Your task is to come up with a paper plane that looks cool and flies great. Consider these things:

• Shape: Does the plane have long wings, sharp edges, or a sleek look?
• Size: Does your plane need to be small and fast or bigger for more gliding?
• Sign: Add personal touches 

Pro Tip: If you think your plane needs a little extra support, you can use tape to reinforce the wings or the nose of the plane.

Instructions

3rd

Instructions

Flight Test

Now it’s time for the ultimate flight contest! We’ll measure your plane in these categories:

Longest Flight Distance – How far can your plane go?

Longest Time in the Air – How long can your plane stay up before it falls? Best Stunt – Can your plane do something amazing like loops or dives?

Best Design – Bonus points for creativity!

Each of you will get a chance to launch your plane. We’ll measure the distance and time, and then have a little fun watching your planes perform stunts!

4th

Instructions

Review and Tweak

After your first test, take a look at how your plane performed. What worked well? What didn’t? Can you change anything to make it fly better? Maybe adjust the wings or add some extra tape?

Now you’ll have a chance to make any changes and try again!

5th

Instructions

Final Flight

Once you’ve made any changes, we’ll have one last flight test to see who can improve their plane the most.

Prizes!

• Longest Distance Champion
• Time in the Air Champion
• Stunt Master
• Design Star