STEM Problem Solving Process QuestionsResearch Possible Solutions Plan Development Correction to Solution Test Data Collection Refine Solution Deployment Plan

Questions Problem you wish to solve and what you want to include in the solution to the problem. Problem Example: Design a car. Want to Include example: Engine, automatic transmission, nice wheels, AC, Entertainment Center, steering, brakes.

Research Research information on problem and the items you want to include to solve the problem. Find out if the items you want to include in your problems solution will work with each other. What your wanted may need to be adjusted. Research Example Problem: The entertainment center cannot have a display to show things like movies in the front seat area where the driver could watch as this is not legal in most states.

Possible Solutions Review the research information on what was wanted to solve your problem. Decide what you still will include from your original wants. Possible Solutions Example: You will include all of your original wants, however, you will only have screens for viewing entertainment media available behind the front row of seats where the driver sits.

Development Plan Decide how you will design the solution to your problem, at what point will models will be built, how it will be tested, the important data needing to be collected, and schedule to review progress. Development Plan Example: You will have the engineers and designers work together on the concept for how all systems will fit in car, after 3D engineering drawings are accepted model makers will make full size exterior model, when the model is approved and all designs for all components are complete prototype car will be built, it will be run on test track, and data on the functioning of prototype will be collected.

Correction to Solution From the design, modeling, prototype functional testing, and review of data collected design changes will be considered. If changes are needed a plan will be developed to do them and test the results. Correction to Solution Example: It was found in reviewing the design documents that there is interference with some of the interior seats and the inside of the door panels. The designers will need to make changes that allow all parts to fit correctly.

Test The solution that has been developed for review will be put through the apropriate test to verify that an acceptable solution has been made. Test Example: From the driving test that was outlined in the Development Plan it is found that the car will not turn in the design requirements.

Data Collection Important information decided on in the Development Plan to determine if the soultion is working as designed will be taken for review by the design and quality team. Data Collection Example: The car is to turn in a maximum arc of 10 feet and is recorded to turn in an arc of 11 feet.

Refine Solution Any improvements that are found to be needed in the testing and verified by data collection will be made to the solution. Refine Solution Example: It was found in track testing that the car does not turn as well as designers wanted. The design team will review the test data and design drawings to make changes to the design that allow the car to turn better.

Deployment Plan A plan will be developed to put the plan to solve the Question and the wants for it into practice. Deployment Plan Example: Where to manufacture the cars, how much they will cost to build, what the sales price will be, and marketing plan will all be decided.