Integrated Investigation and Engineering Capstone

What learners will discover

• Define a design problem with precise, measurable criteria and constraints, and identify how conduction, convection and radiation affect possible solutions.
• Plan fair tests and analyse simulation and prototype data (rates of temperature change, means and uncertainty) to compare materials and designs.
• Use a weighted decision matrix, after checking constraints, to evaluate competing designs, and test how sensitive the choice is to the weights.
• Plan and evaluate iterations that change one feature at a time, combining the most effective features of tested designs.
• Communicate an investigation in a written report with a claim, evidence with uncertainty, scientific reasoning and honest limitations.

Lessons

1. Define the problem and the science 8 steps4 practiceabout 24 min
2. Testing materials with a simulation 9 steps5 practiceabout 25 min
3. Choosing with a decision matrix 7 steps4 practiceabout 25 min
4. Testing prototypes and iterating 8 steps5 practiceabout 26 min
5. Communicating the investigation 7 steps4 practiceabout 25 min
6. Capstone check 11 questions at the end