STEM Processes
Effectively communicating the application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles is crucial in the Engineering Machine Design Contest. Teams are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of these principles through their Team Journal and Team Presentation. The journal serves as a detailed record of the team’s journey, while the presentation provides a concise overview for the judges. Tailoring the content and style for each medium will help teams effectively convey their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
Journal: Provides detailed documentation, including diagrams, graphs, tables, and pictures. Captures in-depth technical details and analysis.
Presentation: Offers a concise, high-level overview with simplified explanations, key data points, and selected descriptions. Engages judges with clear and relatable storytelling.
By differentiating the communication style between the journal and presentation, teams can effectively showcase their technical skills and creativity.
Team Journal: Detailed Documentation
The Team Journal is a comprehensive record of your team’s journey through the Engineering Machine Design Contest. It should document the application of STEM principles in your machine design, capturing detailed analysis and intricate details. The journal is where you showcase your methodical approach, thought process, and technical foundations. Here’s how to effectively communicate STEM processes in the journal:
- Diagrams: Include detailed diagrams of your machine components and overall design. Use labeled arrows to show forces, motion directions, and energy transfers. For example, a diagram of a lever system should indicate the pivot point, applied force, and resulting motion.
- Graphs and Tables: Use graphs to illustrate data collected during testing, such as time taken for each step or the force applied by different components. Tables can present calculations, material properties, or comparisons of design iterations.
- Pictures: Document each stage of your machine’s development with photos. Include initial sketches, prototypes, and the final machine. Add pictures of critical components, especially those involving complex STEM principles, such as a close-up of a circuit or mechanical linkage.
- Detailed Explanations: Explain how each STEM principle is applied. Discuss the science behind each step, the engineering challenges faced, the technology used, and the mathematical calculations involved. Example: “We calculated the ramp’s incline angle using the gravitational acceleration formula to ensure the marble would reach the lever with enough force to trigger the next step. The angle was adjusted based on trial and error, as shown in the accompanying test results table.”
Team Presentation: Concise and Engaging
The Team Presentation is your opportunity to communicate the essential aspects of your project to the judges in a clear and engaging manner. Unlike the journal, the presentation should focus on the highlights and key elements of your machine’s design and function. Here’s how to effectively communicate STEM processes in the presentation:
- Simplified Explanations: Concisely explain how STEM principles are applied in your machine. Focus on the most impressive and innovative aspects. Example: “We used a lever to multiply the force of a small marble, allowing it to lift a larger weight. This shows our understanding of mechanical advantage.”
- Key Data Points: Mention key data points from your graphs and tables, but do not include detailed charts. Instead, summarize the most important findings. Example: “Our tests showed that the optimal incline angle for the ramp was 30 degrees, determined after several trials.”
- Selected Descriptions: Describe key components of your machine, focusing on particularly innovative aspects. Example: “Our machine uses a series of gears to transfer rotational motion into linear motion, driving the final action.”
- Engagement: Engage the judges with enthusiasm and clear communication. Use storytelling to make technical details relatable and memorable. Example: “Imagine the marble as a tiny superhero, gaining speed as it rolls down the ramp, then using its momentum to lift a heavy weight with our cleverly designed lever system.”
Example STEM Processes
Below are examples of how a team might communicate about STEM processes used in a machine, explaining the STEM process and its role in the design.
Lever and Mechanical Advantage
Journal:
Description: Document how a lever is used in your machine to lift a heavier object with a smaller force. Include a diagram showing the lever, fulcrum, and the positions of the load and effort. Label the forces involved and explain how moving the fulcrum closer to the load makes it easier to lift.
Example Entry: “We used a lever to lift a heavy block with a small marble. By placing the fulcrum close to the block, the marble could lift it with less force. The diagram shows how the lever works, with arrows indicating the direction of the forces.”
Presentation:
Description: Simplify the explanation of how the lever helps the machine lift a heavy object. Mention how moving the fulcrum changes the effort needed to lift the object.
Example Explanation: “Our machine uses a lever to lift a heavy block. By moving the lever’s fulcrum closer to the block, we could lift it with a small marble. This shows how a lever makes it easier to lift things.”
Pulley System and Force Reduction
Journal:
Description: Document the use of a pulley system to reduce the force needed to lift an object. Include a diagram showing the pulley(s) and the direction of the forces. Explain how using more pulleys reduces the effort required.
Example Entry: “We used a pulley system to lift a weight with less effort. The diagram shows how the rope passes over the pulleys, reducing the force needed to lift the weight. Adding more pulleys made it even easier.”
Presentation:
Description: Explain how the pulley system makes it easier to lift an object. Highlight that using more pulleys reduces the amount of force needed.
Example Explanation: “Our machine uses pulleys to lift a weight. The pulleys help by spreading out the effort, making it easier to lift the weight with less force.”
Chemical Reaction and Gas Production
Journal:
Description: Document how a simple chemical reaction, such as mixing baking soda and vinegar, is used to produce gas that powers a step in the machine. Include a description of the reaction and a diagram showing how the gas is collected and used.
Example Entry: “We mixed baking soda and vinegar to create carbon dioxide gas. The gas pushes a balloon, which triggers the next step. The diagram shows how the reaction happens and how the gas moves through the system.”
Presentation:
Description: Explain the basic idea of mixing two substances to create gas that powers a part of the machine. Highlight the simplicity and safety of the reaction.
Example Explanation: “We used baking soda and vinegar to create gas. The gas fills a balloon, which then pushes a lever to start the next part of our machine. It’s a simple and safe way to make our machine move.”