In support of this year’s Earth Day, your amazing creativity is needed for the 2013 Invention Convention. You each have a lot of potential and ability to help design solutions for today’s world. So, let’s get started!
The Info…
Who: AST middle school students. You can work in pairs or in groups of three. You may work with anyone in the middle school.
What: Define a local or global environmental problem. Come up with a solution to help solve this problem. Prepare a display that shows your project research, design process and model.
When: Friday, April 26, 2013 (All projects are due to science class in the morning)
How: There are several components to this project. Imagine the science room being transformed into an exhibition hall of break-through ideas and models. Throughout the room, displays are set-up that discuss a problem, provide solutions, a group’s hope for the project and a model of the design. Keep reading for more details:
Project Planning Sheet
Project Criteria
3.0 The process of technological design begins by defining a problem, followed by research to better understand the problem and brainstorming to arrive at potential solutions.
a) I can identify a problem that exists in my neighborhood, city, world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of problems in this world that need great solutions. The largest problems often need a combination of solutions. Your task is to narrow down the possibilities and focus on one problem.
b) I can fully describe the problem (where is it happening, who does it affect, what are the causes and effects, what is the main issue...) In the gallery of projects, people need to know what problem you are working to solve. Be clear. Be specific. Be thorough.
c) I can research solutions to similar problems (what have other people/organizations done). Coming up with new solutions can be difficult and a great way to get started on ideas is to find out what other people have or are doing. Today, people can use technology to quickly find out about solutions in different parts of the world. What is being done to help solve problems similar to yours?
Repurposing an idea: Find an idea (web, magazine, etc.) and incorporate it into your design. Make sure you cite your source and let people know who thought of the idea.
Biomimicry - Animal/Plant Adaptations: Find an animal/plant adaptation and apply it to your problem… make sure you let folks know that YOU thought of this by learning from nature.
d) I can collaborate with others to generate several creative solutions. People are powerful when working together. How will your team work together to come up with creative solutions. Are you taking risks with your solution?
4.0 In addition to 3.0, “criteria” is constructed that determines the design's success and a model of the design is constructed. The best solution is communicated persuasively.
e) I can evaluate and choose the best solution to my problem. In “3-d,” your group generated multiple solutions. Why did you decide to green light this one, or move it the design phase? Describe why this is the best choice of your multiple solutions.
f) I can describe criteria for the success of my design. What does your design need to be able to do for your group to consider it a success? Criteria (the plural of criterion - meaning you need more than 1) can be defined as “a standard by which something can be judged or decided”.
g) I can construct a model. 3D construction! You may come up with an amazing solution that is currently not technologically possible or that you simply do not have the equipment to prepare a working model. That is OK. Your model does not have to be operational. It does have to be a replica of your idea and be designed so that your audience can see exactly what the final product would look like.
h) I can present the recommended design. I’m sure the world is full of great ideas that never get acted upon because people do not present their designs. Your presentation needs to include all the parts of this project. Please pay attention to the layout of your display as it should be neat and easy for people to understand your work. Headings of topic areas are a must! More than one color is highly suggested.
5.0 In addition to 4.0, the design requirements (materials, resources, size...) are fully described and an analysis of the hopes and limitations of the design is provided.
Your group gets into the fine details about the project. You describe all of your project’s requirements. The analysis looks into the future. Your design has been constructed and has gone to the area it is most needed. What do you hope will happen? How will the design be installed? What will be limitations of the project?
