checklist
Foundations of Technology
The Designed World: Energy and Power Technologies
Project: Solar Heater
practicePROBLEM STATEMENT: In this project, you will explore the process of innovation and the market forces that drive it. You will first investigate a need or want by conducting a survey to determine the market force (demand) requiring innovation. After identifying a problem or need based on your survey, you will then innovate a common household item to address the problem your survey identified.

BACKGROUND: Invention and innovation are the result of market research to identify needs and wants. The example below is of a brief advertistement for in innovative product that meets the demands of the market. The video does include some "potty humor" and so if a discussion on digestive gas is offensive, please skip the example. warning The Best Invention Ever (YouTube)

Submission Guidelines:

What to hand in: Save the document below to your computer, complete the responses and submit to dropbox.
documentProject folio (Word doc)
[ Alternate version rtf (.rtf) ]

Where to hand it in: Market Innovation drop box.dropbox

When to hand it in: See course calendar for due date.

Rubric: rtfExample(s): rtf

DIRECTIONS (Overview)

Briefly, each student will:

  1. Define a common problem
  2. Create a survey
  3. Conduct survey
  4. Determine an innovation
  5. Create a prototype
  6. Provide a Rationale for your innovation
  7. Develop a Presentation

Please follow the detailed directions provided on the attached document. directions document

Criteria and Constraints:

  • Survey developed must have at least three (3) questions for each identified problem.
  • Questions should be targeted at addressing the need to solve each problem.
  • Survey must be conducted with a minimum of four (4) people.
  • Survey results must identify and need or want to be provided by your solution/innovation.
  • Survey results must be accurately depicted.
  • Prototype should accurately reflect data collected and how the problem will be resolved.
  • Rational should be brief and specifically address how data was used to create your prototype.
Foundations of Technology | Montgomery County Public Schools