Teaching Creative Problem Solving

Please provide a concise description that includes the workshop’s learning objectives (maximum 750 characters). The abstract is used on the ASEE website, program materials, and otherK-12 Workshop promotional activities. When engineers are faced with the challenge of developing new technology to solve a problem, they need to establish the specifications for the device, provide detailed instructions for construction, and determine appropriate methods to evaluate the final product. Laura Lang, former chemical engineer and current physics teacher of traditional high school, Advanced Placement, and college students, will describe how her Advanced Placement Physics students have used engineering practices to design devices during laboratory activities. Participants will have an opportunity to use some of those engineering practices to design their own devices to solve a specific problem. Laura will share her ideas for other engineering challenges that can be used in chemistry, biology, and Earth science classes, and then participants will brainstorm to create a list of additional ideas. P ge 1.28.3 WORKSHOP PROPOSAL FORM 2015 Annual ASEE K-12 Workshop on Engineering Education “Authentic Engineering: Representing & Emphasizing the E in STEM” Presented by Dassault Systems Saturday, June 13, 2015 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sheraton Seattle | Seattle | WA 2015-ASEE-K12-Proposal-Form.docx Page 3 of 7 Workshop Description. Please provide a detailed description of the proposed workshop that, at minimum, explicitly addresses the following (maximum 4,000 characters): a. Learning objectives b. Hands-on activities and interactive exercises c. Materials that participants can take with them d. Practical application for teachers and outreach staff The Teaching Creative Problem Solving workshop is designed to help teachers answer the question of how to teach creative problem solving within the structure and time limits of a science classroom. Laura Lang will give a step-by-step description of how her Advanced Placement Physics students have used engineering practices to design devices in laboratory activities. Participants will have an opportunity to use some of those engineering practices to design their own devices to solve a specific problem. Laura will share her ideas for other engineering challenges that can be used in chemistry, biology, and Earth science classes and then participants will brainstorm to create a list of additional ideas. Learning Objectives: A. Students will practice the following Engineering Habits: a. Being creative b. Working and negotiating in teams c. Adopting optimistic mindsets when problem solving and designing d. Considering the ethical nature of engineering and its products B. The following NGSS standards will be addressed: a. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering. b. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering. C. The following NGSS Practices will be used: a. Asking questions and defining problems b. Developing and using models c. Using mathematics and computational thinking d. Constructing explanations and designing solutions e. Engaging in argument from evidence D. The following NGSS Cross Cutting Concepts will apply: P ge 1.28.4 WORKSHOP PROPOSAL FORM 2015 Annual ASEE K-12 Workshop on Engineering Education “Authentic Engineering: Representing & Emphasizing the E in STEM” Presented by Dassault Systems Saturday, June 13, 2015 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sheraton Seattle | Seattle | WA 2015-ASEE-K12-Proposal-Form.docx Page 4 of 7 a. Cause and effect b. Scale, proportion and quantity Participants in this workshop will be given the following engineering task: Scenario: Ms .Curie teaches in a large classroom which includes a laboratory and a workroom with storage area in the back of the classroom. She would like know when someone enters the door in the front of the classroom while she is busy preparing for labs in the back workroom and/or storage area. Challenge: Create a device that will automatically alert Ms. Curie when Someone enters her classroom. Materials Available: paper, cardboard, string, wire, pipe cleaners, clay, lead sinkers, pulleys, springs, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, rulers, scissors, wire cutters, buzzers, light bulbs, sinkers, pulleys, other miscellaneous items Participants will take home a collection of scenarios of engineering challenges that require the development of a device. Each scenario can be modified in length and difficulty by teachers or outreach staff to meet the needs of their own students.