FCL x SDSU Designathon
Overview
What if you could fix something broken in your community and use cutting-edge technology to do it?
The FCL x SDSU AI Designathon is a six-month design competition for high school students, created in partnership with San Diego State University. Teams identify a real infrastructure challenge, develop an engineering solution, and present their work to a panel of industry professionals at a final showcase at SDSU. Along the way, they learn to use artificial intelligence the way real engineers do: as a tool to think better, not a shortcut to skip the thinking.
No engineering experience required. Just curiosity, teamwork, and a problem worth solving.
Details
Who Should Participate: High school students in grades 9-12 must registered through their construction or related path teachers/educators. Students will be placed in teams of 3-5. Open to all experience levels. Teachers/educators may register multiple teams.
Program Dates: October 2026 through April 2027
Final Showcase: Sunday, April 4, 2027 | 11 AM to 1 PM | San Diego State University
Register: Registration opens September 14, 2026. Closes October 1st, 2026. Teachers and advisors register on behalf of their team.
Cost: Free to participate
What to Expect
At registration, every team selects one of five challenge tracks: a Safer and Cooler Bus Stop, a School Pickup Zone Redesign, a Flood-Resilient Neighborhood Block, a Disaster Response Structure, or an Accessible Campus Improvement. From there, the program guides teams through six phases of real engineering work.
Get Inspired. Teams kick off the program with a recorded introduction, explore real-world case studies, and meet their assigned industry mentor.
Learn the Foundations. Teams build the engineering knowledge they need: site planning, structural basics, drainage, sustainability, accessibility, cost fundamentals, and how to use AI responsibly as a design tool.
Define the Problem. Teams choose a real or realistic site and dig in. Who uses this space? What is broken about it? What constraints does the site have?
Design the Concept. Teams develop their solution: what they are building, what materials they would use, and how their design addresses safety and accessibility. Midway through, they meet with their mentor for feedback.
Refine the Engineering. Teams think through how their design would actually get built: cost estimates, construction sequencing, risk analysis, and relevant codes and standards.
Prepare for the Showcase. Teams finalize their Design Brief, poster, and recorded presentation for the final showcase at SDSU on April 4, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the FCL x SDSU AI Designathon?
A: It is a six-month high school design competition hosted by Future Construction Leaders and San Diego State University. Student teams work to identify a real-world infrastructure problem, develop an engineering solution using artificial intelligence as a support tool, and present their work to industry judges.
Q: What are the important dates for the 2026–2027 program?
September 14, 2026: Registration opens
October 1st, 2026: Registration closes
October 2026: Program materials released. Industry mentor introductions sent out
December 2026 / January 2027: Midpoint mentor design review
April 4, 2027 (11 AM – 1 PM): Final Showcase at SDSU
Teacher & Advisor FAQ
Q: Do I need a technical or engineering background to serve as an advisor?
A: No. Technical scaffolding and guidance are provided by the program and your assigned industry mentor. Your main role is to keep students on schedule, offer encouragement, and facilitate communications between your team and program coordinators.
Q: How many students can be on a team, and can a school enter multiple teams?
A: Teams must consist of 3 to 5 high school students (grades 9–12). Yes, schools are welcome to register more than one team.
Q: What if I am not an educator but want to register a team with my child?
· A: Parents/Guardians can register teams as long as they understand that they must be the team’s advisor—i.e., adhere to our release of liability policy, coordinate team meetings, collect and upload team work, etc.
Q: What are my key responsibilities before and during the competition?
A:
Register your team prior to October 1st, 2026.
Collect and submit signed parental release forms for all team members.
Serve as the main point of contact and distribute program materials to students.
Create and manage access to your team's Design Brief Template.
Attend the Final Showcase at SDSU on April 4, 2027, with your team.
Student Team & Challenge FAQ
Q: What deliverables must my team submit by the end of the program?
A: Your team will submit four key items:
Design Brief: A progressive written document covering your site analysis, design concept, engineering factors, and community impact.
Poster: A 24 x 36-inch visual presentation display used during the showcase.
Recorded Presentation: A short video overview submitted prior to the showcase for judges to review.
AI Use Reflection: An embedded section in your Design Brief documenting every AI tool, prompt, and verification step used.
Q: What are the five competition challenge tracks?
A: Teams select one track during registration:
Track 1: Safer and Cooler Bus Stop
Track 2: School Pickup Zone Redesign
Track 3: Flood-Resilient Neighborhood Block
Track 4: Disaster Response Structure
Track 5: Accessible Campus Improvement
Q: How will our projects be judged?
A: Entries are evaluated on five criteria:
Community Impact (25%)
Feasibility and Constructability (25%)
Engineering Thinking (20%)
Creativity and Innovation (15%)
Communication and Teamwork (15%)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy FAQ
Q: Are we allowed to use AI to generate our entire project?
A: No. AI is treated as a co-pilot, not the engineer of record. You can use AI to explore ideas, draft phasing concepts, compare materials, or summarize standards, but your team must make all final decisions, perform critical verifications, and explain the work in your own words. Submitting AI-generated work without team oversight will result in disqualification.
Q: How will judges know how we used AI?
A: Every team is required to complete an AI Use Reflection within their Design Brief. You will log every tool and prompt used, explain where AI helped or failed, and detail how you verified critical facts (such as building codes or safety calculations) against primary sources.
Final Showcase & Mentorship FAQ
Q: How does the mentor relationship work?
A: Each team is paired with an industry professional in October. Mentors offer real-world feedback, assist with site analysis, review concepts during the Phase 4 midpoint review, and help prepare your team for the final presentation.
Q: What happens at the Final Showcase on April 4, 2027?
A: Held at SDSU from 11 AM to 1 PM, teams set up their 24 x 36-inch poster displays in a public hall. Judges—who have already watched your recorded presentation—will visit your booth and conduct 10-to-15-minute Q&A sessions. The event concludes with an awards ceremony open to families and community members.
Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A: For overall program questions, please contact FCL at ContactUs@futureconstructionleaders.org
You can reach out to Max Taylor for technical questions (Google Drive uploads, team project work, etc.) at mtaylor9@sdsu.edu
Questions
Reach out to us at ContactUs@futureconstructionleaders.org
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