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Project Design Reports (PDRs)
Each PDR is designed to move each group through the project at a reasonable pace. The PDRs are each group's opportunity to demonstrate all that has been accomplished up to that point. Each PDR will be similar in format and have some common features, but each will also have certain unique requirements.
Even if your entire group cannot meet together, don't let that hold you back from making progress. If two of you can meet together, then do it! Your other team members should then make it a point to contribute in other ways (obtaining materials, brainstorming, planning, writing, etc. -- be creative!). No one likes to carry dead weight! Find out more about social loafing.
Non-Negotiables
A crucial skill in the process of engineering a project is adherence to a strict timeline. Therefore, the deadline is class time for any given due date. Broken printers, computers, cameras, missing group members, e-mail malfunctions, etc. are all unfortunate, but are not excuses for a late PDR or a lack of video documentation of progress.
Video documentation of progress must accompany PDRs #2, 3, and 4. Not providing a video results in a late PDR, the score of which will be reduced 25%. There are no exceptions to this.
PDR #1 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
PDR #2 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
PDR #3 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
PDR #4 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
Team Evaluation: will be completed the day after Physics Fair
Each PDR is designed to move each group through the project at a reasonable pace. The PDRs are each group's opportunity to demonstrate all that has been accomplished up to that point. Each PDR will be similar in format and have some common features, but each will also have certain unique requirements.
Even if your entire group cannot meet together, don't let that hold you back from making progress. If two of you can meet together, then do it! Your other team members should then make it a point to contribute in other ways (obtaining materials, brainstorming, planning, writing, etc. -- be creative!). No one likes to carry dead weight! Find out more about social loafing.
Non-Negotiables
A crucial skill in the process of engineering a project is adherence to a strict timeline. Therefore, the deadline is class time for any given due date. Broken printers, computers, cameras, missing group members, e-mail malfunctions, etc. are all unfortunate, but are not excuses for a late PDR or a lack of video documentation of progress.
Video documentation of progress must accompany PDRs #2, 3, and 4. Not providing a video results in a late PDR, the score of which will be reduced 25%. There are no exceptions to this.
PDR #1 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
- Complete assembly of all four components.
- Identify how the four components illustrate Newton's three laws of motion and frictional effects.
PDR #2 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
- Add 2nd and 3rd levels (base = 1st level)
- Demonstrate three components interacting on project level(s)
- Create full page operational sequence flow chart
- See flowchart example here.
- Only self-powered devices (the components) should be in boxes (textboxes).
- Links between components are indicated by arrows.
- Each link (represented by an arrow) should have a very brief description.
- Flowchart needs a title, group letter, and group member names
PDR #3 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
- Identify and explain six specific physics concepts illustrated by your project
- Demonstrate a complete, successful chain reaction (all five components) that is 10 seconds long
- Ensure reliability of interactions
- Refine operational sequence and corresponding flow chart
PDR #4 (available on Google Classroom ): Deadline TBD
Goals:
- Demonstrate final status of project
- Refine and improve the reliability of the chain reaction sequence and determine a success rate
- Incorporate thematic elements into the project
Team Evaluation: will be completed the day after Physics Fair
- Upon the completion of the Physics Fair event, every team member will provide an evaluation of their own contributions to the project as well as the contributions of each of their group members. This is a means of keeping group members accountable to each other and to prevent the phenomenon known as social loafing.
- The evaluation is strictly confidential. The student completing the evaluation and the student's teacher are the only two people that will see the evaluation form. Students should not discuss with others what they put on their evaluation.