The Forge • Thryve Next
2026 Initiative
Mobility, Autonomy, and the Future of Access
A year-long, build-driven learning pathway designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and ethical foundation to shape the future of intelligent systems.
"Mobility creates access. Autonomy creates scale. Students deserve to build both."
The 2026 Mission
The Forge 2026 Initiative exists to prepare the next generation of creators, engineers, and problem-solvers by giving them hands-on experience designing, building, and responsibly controlling autonomous mobility systems.
Through a sequence of immersive learning Sprints, students progress from software-based creation to real-world systems thinking — culminating in a capstone challenge that mirrors the technologies shaping transportation, logistics, infrastructure, and the future workforce.
This initiative directly supports Thryve's mission to close opportunity gaps by providing access to capability, not just exposure.
The 2026 Objective
Primary Objective
Equip middle and high school students with the foundational skills to design, train, and deploy intelligent systems that move safely, efficiently, and ethically in real-world environments.
Secondary Objectives
- Build early confidence in high-growth technology domains
- Develop systems thinking and problem-solving skills
- Introduce responsible AI and ethical decision-making
- Create tangible student projects that demonstrate real capability
- Connect learning to future education, career, and entrepreneurial pathways
How The Forge Works in 2026
The Forge operates through 6-week Sprints — focused, project-based learning experiences designed to keep students actively building and progressing.
Each Sprint contributes skills that stack toward a larger goal.
Students may join individual Sprints or follow the full pathway.
No prior coding or AI experience required.
The Forge Sprint Pathway (2026)
Foundational Sprints
Software-Based | Online
Game Builders
Systems thinking, logic, and creative problem-solving through interactive games
- Logic and rule-based systems
- User interaction design
- Creative iteration
- AI-assisted behavior introduction
AI Creators
Build first AI or machine learning-powered applications using accessible tools
- How machines learn from data
- Model training and testing
- AI decision-making
- Responsible AI use
Mobility Sprints
Hybrid-Ready | Progressive
Drone Builders
Explore fundamentals of aerial mobility through control, simulation, and design
- Flight mechanics
- Control systems
- Safety and navigation
- Hardware-software interaction
Race Car Engineers
Design and optimize ground-based mobility systems
- Power and motion
- Speed vs stability tradeoffs
- Mechanical systems
- Performance tuning
Autonomy Sprints
Advanced | Capstone-Ready
Smart Mobility Systems
Introduce intelligence into mobility platforms through sensors and decision logic
- Environmental awareness
- Data-driven optimization
- Human-in-the-loop systems
- Ethical system constraints
Autonomous Systems
Transition from manual control to full autonomy with navigation and decision-making
- Path planning
- Autonomous decision-making
- Risk and safety
- System testing
How the Sprints Feed the 2026 Capstone
Each Sprint is intentionally designed to contribute to a single, unifying outcome. Students don't start over — they build forward.
Games introduce rules and systems
AI applications introduce learning and decision-making
Mobility platforms introduce real-world constraints
Autonomy introduces responsibility and scale
The Forge Mobility & Autonomy Challenge
Capstone Experience
The Forge 2026 Initiative culminates in a student-centered competition and showcase that brings together everything learned throughout the year.
Challenge Focus
Students design autonomous mobility systems that can navigate a defined environment while balancing:
Build
Engineering quality and design
Think
AI logic and decision-making
Move
Navigation and execution
Act Responsibly
Safety, ethics, and explanation
Aerial Systems
Drones or simulated flight
Ground-Based Systems
Race cars / rovers
Award Categories
The Challenge emphasizes learning, creativity, and responsibility — not elimination.
Why Mobility & Autonomy Matter to Thryve
Mobility and autonomy are foundational to modern life:
By teaching students how these systems work — and how to design them responsibly — Thryve empowers young people to participate in shaping the future economy rather than being left behind by it.
This initiative reflects Thryve's commitment to:
Looking Beyond 2026
The Forge 2026 Initiative establishes a scalable model that will expand to include:
Build With Purpose
Move With Intelligence
Engineer the Future
Welcome to The Forge — 2026.