If we were to do the project over we would spend more time making sure everybody is on the same page. A few times throughout the year we all went to work on different elements, but when we tried to put them all together it was evident that all three of us had different ideas of how it would fit together. If we were all on the same page from the beginning we would not have had to spend time correcting our mistakes.

We suggest that students next year:

• take advantage of their time in class.

• make sure to document the process with many pictures.

• document a timeline so you can have a Gantt chart at the end of the year.

• expect to fail...many, many times.

• A find and justify problem

  • Try to use scientific/scholarly studies, surveys, articles rather than random websites or news articles. Scientific studies will also usually include info on next steps/where things were lacking.

• B Document Prior Solutions

  • Learn what was wrong and what worked well with the prior solutions.

• C Find and Justify the Design Specifications

  • If cost is large issue, try to find ways to address it in design specs without addressing cost directly (ex -- scalability, able to buy in working segments rather than purchasing it all at once).

• D Brainstorming

  • Make as many brainstorms as possible.

  • Take inspiration from other ideas. You will avoid any direct copying in the brainstorm evaluation.

• E STEM

  • Record your process and highlight where STEM principles might be found.

  • Use physics. Even if you don't think your prototype utilizes many STEM principles, using physics to explain the forces on the prototype can knock out both science and math.

• F Design Viability

  • Record the cost of materials as you develop your prototype.

• G Construction

  • DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

• H Test Design

  • Make sure the tests are useful to the development of the prototype. Use the design specifications to guide the design of the tests.

• I Test Results

  • Analyze the differences between your prototype iterations. Do miniature tests throughout the process.

• J Documentation of External Evaluation

  • You may not get to employ the judges feedback this year but try to learn from it for future projects. It is very valuable.

  • Use your mentor throughout the process.