Grade 12 - Energy, Power, and Transportation(Problem Solving)

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will:

modify transportation devices and power systems to improve performance or efficiency
justify strategies and processes used to troubleshoot and diagnose problems
develop models to test or interpret the action of mechanical devices
demonstrate ability to work co-operatively in diagnostic teams

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Energy, Power, and Transportation (Problem Solving) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students learn to synthesize group feedback in order to identify the best solutions. They learn to identify specific problems, collaborate to create solutions, and develop strategies to implement their solutions in order to improve the performance of mechanical systems and subsystems.

Have students work in teams to brainstorm ways to adjust wing designs in order to produce maximum lift and minimum drag for an air-based transportation system. Ask them to make models of the wing they believe best achieves the objectives, then test their predictions in a wind tunnel.
Invite teams of students to brainstorm and develop plans to improve the efficiency of high-performance or high-mileage vehicles (e.g., reduce friction, optimize energy transfer, increase aerodynamic efficiency). Ask the teams to develop and present their action plans to the class, using correct terminology. Then encourage them to use class feedback to modify and implement their plans. As an extension, have the teams evaluate whether their solutions enhanced efficiency and use the results to further modify their vehicles. Students might use the following problem-solving model in the development process:

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

As students work together to improve energy efficiency in a system or device, they can demonstrate sophisticated group problem-solving strategies and processes.

As students design and construct a high-mileage vehicle, look for evidence of the use of correct technical terminology in their written work and oral descriptions.
As students design their high-mileage vehicle, encourage them to test modifications to the fuel delivery system, the transmission, and the final gears. Look for evidence that students:
- experiment with different concepts and technologies
- test models or vehicles in order to verify their theories
- record data and apply it to the overall analyses of their projects
- modify their products to reflect what they have learned from previous tests
- apply the best solutions to problems, based on analyses of data collected
When students are engaged in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems, observe the extent to which they are able to:
- approach the problem systematically
- identify interrelationships between various parts
- identify the impact of a failed or inefficient component on the system
- explore alternative solutions
- use tools and testing equipment to facilitate the troubleshooting process