You will use the resources of the Fimbel Maker & Innovation Lab to complete a tangible interactive tech project. Your project must include:
at least one component that is used as input (e.g., light, sound or distance sensor)
at least one component that is used as output (e.g., LEDs, buzzer)
This final project will be graded on:
(15%) Presentation of a 90-second elevator pitch
(50%) Design, development and documentation of the project
(35%) Final demo and reflection
You'll each give a 90 second "elevator pitch" to the class on Tuesday 2/20. After the pitch, a subset of your peers will provide feedback through a google form to provide other perspectives on the project. This will be an opportunity to engage in giving and receiving feedback effectively.
To help you prepare your elevator pitch, here is a template adapted from Steven Schmeiser. It is framed for pitching a product to seek investment capital, so you'll want to adjust the framing with this in mind:
COMPANY - who are you? this can help us understand your "backstory" and contextualize your project
NEED - what does your project seek to provide to its user?
SOLUTION - how does your project address the need?
MARKET - who do you imagine will be interacting with the project?
PEOPLE - who will you pull in to help design, build and/or test your project?
THE ASK - are there resources beyond the supplies already provided in the course that you'll need for the project?
90-SECOND ELEVATOR PITCH TEMPLATE
COMPANY
Who you are.
NEED
Explain who your customers are and the problem they face.
SOLUTION
How do you solve this problem. Don’t tell us any technical details, just tell us the same way you would tell your non-tech-savvy grandparents.
MARKET
Tell us how many dollars feel the need you described above. If you do not have a dollar amount, tell us how many people feel the problem.
BUSINESS MODEL (omit for this project)
Explain how you make money. Do you sell the product to wholesalers for a flat fee? Do you charge a subscription? Do you split revenues with a partner?
EXIT (omit for this project)
Explain to us how the investor will get their money back + a healthy profit (at least double their money, if not 5-10 times their money). Will you sell the company? Will you license your technology and split the royalty check with the investor? Will you sell your product and share profits with the investor?
PEOPLE
Tell us who the smart, experienced, credible people you have assembled to execute your business plan are. If you don't have them yet, tell us what you do have and that you're smart enough to be looking for the rest.
THE ASK
How much money you need and what it will let you do.
Adapted from entreclub.org
[embed form for gathering peer feedback after pitches]
Include your design on your web site. This can mimic what you've seen in the course and will include elements, such as:
material list
circuit/components diagram
a description of the expected interaction
In-class: Public showcase done "science fair" style, where you will demo your final product.
Video (on your web site): Demo of your final product.
In addition to the video of the final product (due 3/7), your web site should include:
Documentation of your process (including successes and failures!) -- be generous with photos/videos!
A final project reflection on:
The experience of pitching and developing this project
What role did the following play in contributing to successes or how you worked through challenges?
self-efficacy, mindset, self-regulation, active listening, belongingness, cognitive flexibility, effective feedback, emotional intelligence and resilience
Transfer/connections to other contexts
Can you draw any connections between elements of this project experience and what you have done in other contexts? Challenge yourself to step back and view this broadly - you make choices and problem solve all the time, including:
in a class setting at various levels (how to approach a particular assignment, how to find resources to support your learning)
when managing your time (how to schedule when you work on which types of activities)
when interacting with others (in a course/employment/social setting)
when finding courses, study abroad programs, internship/research opportunities
when planning a longer-term trajectory (such as choosing a major or post-graduation plans)