https://padlet.com/michellenjinguet/8g3kd7vx0m9pwila Exploring the Engineering Design Process Through Computer-Aided Design and 3-D Printing. Garafolo et al. (2017). en-us 2021-02-09 01:13:29 UTC 2025-12-12 04:05:47 UTC hello@padlet.com michellenjinguet https://padlet.com/michellenjinguet/8g3kd7vx0m9pwila/wish/1179936619 Student motivation in STEM can be improved through the integration of math and science. This works because it creates variety and choices for students. By tapping on student interest, motivation to engage in real-world problems can be enhanced through an integrated approach. 

•  The unit described is based on physics related content knowledge. Specifically, students interact with the concepts of forces, motion, kinetic, and potential energy. 
•  The engagement portion of this module included a video All American Soap Box Derby race and students were tasked with figuring out ways to ameliorate the performance of the car.
•  This tasks aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the problem and its corresponding constraints relate to the engineering practices of NGSS.
• Students were prompted to consider how the shape of the car affected the speed of the car. 
•  Students were led to think like engineers by testing this question and their inferences through subscale testing. In this experiment, students were then able to scale down a 6 ft. full size car to a 6 in. car. 
• In the exploration portion, students worked to determine if and how the shape of cars affect their performances. From a very open ended tasks, students drafted an experimental design where they tested the performances of cars with different shaped. 
• Student prior knowledge was elicited through questions that led them to think about the forces involved on the cars while on the track, as well as the magnitude and direction. Additionally, students thought about the effects of the motion of the car due to changes in mass. Thirdly, students compared the kinetic and potential energy at the top and bottom of the track.
•  From an educational standpoint, this activity included several formative assessments included but not limited to the reflection questions and write-ups. A class presentation served as a summative assessment outlining the process as well as key lessons. 
•  In conclusion and to be expected, many students liked working on the project and elicited a great deal of motivation to learn about the design. However, as many students/groups were provident in the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology, many students also faced difficulties with the project which led to frustration. The open ended aspect of the activity was well received by some students who were motivated to solve real world problems through integrated STEM, but this was equally uncomfortable for some students.
•  Overall, this activity emphasizes the importance of teachers being mindful of the diversity in background of students not just with the content knowledge, but also in technological knowledge.

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The integration model can be used in Chemistry in the Kinetics unit where students engage in a project on rate of reactions. 

Students can choose to a factor that affects the rate of a chemical reaction, and work in groups to test it. 

Students can use technology to collect and analyze their data.

Like the design project, this activity will be very open-ended, to include a design portion where students would have to think about the different variables needed to be considered. 

]]> 2021-02-09 02:10:18 UTC https://padlet.com/michellenjinguet/8g3kd7vx0m9pwila/wish/1180035909 michellenjinguet https://padlet.com/michellenjinguet/8g3kd7vx0m9pwila/wish/1180057864 - Include choices within the activity to pique interest and sustain the motivation/engagement of all students. This is also important to avoid bias on the basis of race and gender. 
- Ensure that all students have the required material and technologies. Provide this for all students, if possible. 
- Include formative assessments throughout the activity to allow students to tap and build on prior knowledge.

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