Element E: Application of STEM Principles and Practices
The objective of this is to discuss how the proposed solution is well ingrained in STEM principles and practices (click on the article for more information) applicable to the design. Reflective questions that you can consider when writing this section are:
- How do we show that our design ideas were not just guesses and my/our ideas and each of the proposed design attributes really is based on sound logic and subject related knowledge?
- Why does the proposed solution have merit to try?
Include:
- Identify and describe science and engineering concepts you need to investigate.
- Consider design stage, testing stage, and data gathering stage. Discuss what this looked like and what was considered in the research.
- Your team’s GANTT chart to detail all tasks, responsible parties, and due dates. Clearly define the entire scope of work in the task list. Be sure to consider the Rule of Thirds when making scheduling projections.
- Explicitly list and describe each concept you might use; relate back to design specs where possible.
- Describe who can help you validate your STEM work. What training or credentials will your experts need to have?
- Some engineering principles to consider: project management (GANTT chart), documentation (Engineering Notebook), stress, strain, material properties.
- Any special computer programs, technology, or equipment you might use?