Balancing Criteria and Constraints
Staff Development Guide
Training Situation: Training (large group)
Length: 60 minutes
Objectives: Participants will understand the definitions of criteria, constraints and trade-offs in the context of engineering and reflect on the skill of balancing criteria and constraints in lessons/activities.
Agenda:
- Welcome and Introductions — 5 minutes
- The Engineering Mindset: Exploring Criteria and Constraints — 10 minutes
- The Catapult: Designing with Criteria and Constraints in Balance — 30 minutes
- Exploring the Practice with Video and Reflection — 10 minutes
- Closure and Resources — 5 minutes
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Education Item
Confronting My Own Biases
Participants will take a Project Implicit test in order to reflect on the needs of nondominant youth in their program.
Education Item
Discussing Testing in the Design Process
Participants will do a chalk talk around engineering design and testing in order to incorporate thoughtful testing and local resources.
Education Item
Assessing Youth using Graphic Organizers
Participants will watch the Assessing Youth Using Sticky Notes video-based learning module and identify ways to use a stick note chart during STEM activities.