Use involves
- identifying a problem
- researching
- forming a hypothesis
- planning an experiment
- performing an experiment
- analyzing data
- forming a conclusion
- communicating results.
Use of the technological/engineering method should be based on the understanding that this method is concerned with the phenomenon of the human-designed world and with obtaining artifacts and solutions to problems. The steps include
- identifying the need or opportunity for an engineering solution
- defining a design problem
- identifying the constraints of a design problem
- researching potential solutions to a design problem
- generating multiple solutions (brainstorming) to a design problem
- sketching solutions for a design problem
- evaluating potential solutions to a design problem
- choosing the optimal solution to a design problem
- implementing the solutions to the design problem
- communicating the solution to stakeholders
- testing the solution
- evaluating the test results
- improving the initial solution
- communicating the solution to stakeholders.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What are the steps in the scientific method? Why is each step important?
- What are the steps in the technological/engineering method? Why is each step important?
- What are the similarities and differences between the scientific method and the technological/engineering method?
- What conditions require using the scientific method? What conditions require using the technological/engineering method?