The Tech Challenge aligns with the engineering design standards.
Here’s a shortened version of those standards, along with their corresponding sections, for quick reference:
Define Engineering Problems
MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
- SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- DCI: ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
Evidence:
- Describe a problem that can be solved with an object, tool, process or system.
- Identify the system in which the problem is embedded.
- Identify individuals or groups affected, their needs and the impact of the problem/solution.
- Define criteria that enable quantitative comparisons among different solutions.
- Define constraints including time, materials, and costs, safety, environmental impact, etc.
Develop Possible Solutions
MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
Evidence:
- Identify science knowledge related to the problem.
- Look at similar problems that have been solved in the past.
- Identify possible solutions.
- Consider social/environmental issues.
- Use a systematic method (e.g., a decision matrix) to support claims, evidence, reasoning and conclusions.
Optimize the Solution
MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria.
- SEP: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions, and ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
Evidence:
- Organize data into tables, charts or graphs to assess the effectiveness of possible solutions.
- Use the analyzed data to identify evidence of similarities and differences in solutions. • Make a claim for which characteristics of each design best meet the criteria and constraints.
- Compile best features into an improved, redesigned solution.
MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
- SEP: Developing and Using Models
- DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions, and ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design
Evidence:
- Identify the limitations of the final model.
- Describe how the data generated by the model, along with criteria and constraints that the proposed solution must meet, were used to optimize the design.
- Use an iterative cycle of modeling, testing, analyzing, refining and retesting to complete the process.