Big Problems: a High School Course in Problem-Solving
People Flow
Our cafeteria serves 240 secondary students in a 45 minute window. Next year, it will need to serve 310 students in the same time period. How can our cafeteria most efficiently meet this increased demand?
Small Scale: Students will analyze layout and procedures of cafeteria and suggest improvements.
Big Scale: Students will discuss how the same principles can be applied city-wide, weighing possible use of ride-hailing apps, driverless cars, and public transportation. Product: Students will
Working Lesson Plans: LINK
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Breathe Easy
Hanoi has some of the most polluted air in Southeast Asia. Are there steps that individuals can take to limit their exposure to this pollution?
Small Scale: Students will construct air particulate sensors. Using these sensors, they will test the effectiveness of various measures to limit exposure to air pollution: face mask, close the windows, run the air conditioning, etc.
Big Scale: Students will discuss what steps a city could take to limit exposure of its citizens to air pollution. Product: Students will
Working Lesson Plans: Coming Soon
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Trash Sorting, Media Sifting
We receive many messages to live "greener" lives. Each message asks us to do something extra (sort recycling) or forgo something (eat less meat). How can a consumer weigh the value of these demands on our time and energy?
Small Scale: Students will compile a library of "green" PSA's. Students will develop a metric by which to compare the cost/benefit of each PSA's instructions. Students will consider such costs as money, time, effort and consider environmental, human, and monetary benefits.
Big Scale: Students will use what they learned to find the most beneficial (as determined by the metric students develop) "green" measures. Students will create their own PSA about this measure. Product: Students will
Working Lesson Plans: LINK
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