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ProtoForge
Design it, test it, defend it under constraints — an engineering-design studio for ages 15–18. Define the problem, write measurable specs, choose among concepts, prototype and test, read failures for their root cause, iterate, and optimize the trade-offs — then defend the design against its criteria and constraints with evidence.
#C46A1F Distributed-narrative cast
Meet the cast
ProtoForge's adapted-DN-S cast (ages 15–18, realistic engineer personas — no mascots, per R-OLDER-TEEN-DN-ADAPTED) each embody one engineering-design primitive: stating the criteria and constraints before designing (Cade), turning a fuzzy need into a measurable spec (Rhea), balancing cost vs strength vs weight to the best point (Tori, trade-offs), building a prototype and testing it to failure (Bex), reading why it broke (Dagny, failure analysis), rebuilding after every failed test (Iggy, iteration), matching materials to the spec within tolerance (Mala), making the parts fit and work together (Sy, systems), and keeping the design within budget (Dov). Mentor Enzo frames the challenge and guides reflect-on-design.
Cade
Constraint definition — states the criteria and constraints before designing
Rhea
Requirements / spec — turns a fuzzy need into a measurable spec (Rhea + Cade = define-the-problem case)
Tori
Trade-off / optimization — balances cost vs strength vs weight to the best point
Bex
Prototyping / test-to-failure — builds a prototype and tests it to failure
Dagny
Failure analysis — reads WHY it broke, not just that it broke
Iggy
Iteration / redesign — rebuilds after every failed test
Mala
Materials & tolerances — picks the material that meets the spec within tolerance
Sy
Systems & interfaces — makes the parts fit and work together
Dov
Cost & budget — keeps the design within budget
Enzo
Mentor — frames the challenge and guides reflect-on-design (the AAR guide)
What's inside
Learning goal
Design it, test it, defend it under constraints — an engineering-design studio for ages 15–18. Define the problem, write measurable specs, choose among concepts, prototype and test, read failures for their root cause, iterate, and optimize the trade-offs — then defend the design against its criteria and constraints with evidence.
Question kits
16 curriculum-aligned kits × 25 questions = 400 questions per app, mapped to recognized standards.
On-device AI mentor
FoundationModels-powered hints, feedback, and adaptive difficulty — all running locally.
Mentored by Enzo — on-device AI, no data leaves the device.
How ProtoForge handles your kid's data
- ✅ All progress, settings, and AI-generated content stays on the device
- ✅ No analytics, no tracking, no third-party SDKs
- ✅ No ads, no in-app purchases — you pay once
- ✅ COPPA compliant under the 2026 FTC amendments
- ✅ Parental controls + session limits + content filters built in
ProtoForge runs on ForgeKit — the open-source Swift Package Manager framework that powers every Spark & Anvil app. ForgeKit ensures consistent accessibility, COPPA compliance, and design language across the portfolio, so your kid's progress and preferences feel coherent across every app they touch.
Coming to the App Store
ProtoForge is in active development. Email us to hear when it ships — no marketing, no spam, just a one-shot launch announcement.
Email me at launch
