THINKING SKILLS IN STEM EDUCATION
To establish results in any real-life situation or problem, students must be critical, creative and be innovative thinkers when responding to challenges faced especially in the 21st century. Those challenges may involve economic, social or political issues or even problems faced at school or anywhere. These thinking skills are also applied in any problems that may involved Mathematical modelling, Mathematical proof, Statistical Inquiry and Scientific inquiry/method since these skills requires students to apply knowledge and skills/ ideas or use evidence to support proposed arguments and solve problems. Other skills involved in any problem solving may require Computational and Systems Thinking, Design Thinking and Engineering Design. All these thinking skills enable students to create and apply new concepts in specific context, make links, see problems in a different way and provide alternative explanations or provide alternative solutions to those problems.
Thinking about STEM
In my website I will be explaining the different Thinking Skills used in the construction of a bridge where my Design Challenge/ Project description or given problem is to select appropriate local materials and measurements to build a model of a bridge without using any fastener such as ropes. The bridge design must hold enough load/weight without snapping.
Therefore, I have to select the best material and measurement of the sticks and construct the model of the bridge.
This design challenge or problem requires me to apply different content knowledge, ideas and skills depending on the model of the bridge built. It also requires my understanding and experience with the type of materials used in the model. Need time to brainstorm some ideas on the type of materials available and select the appropriate model. Select best possible model of the bridge and build using knowledge and skills already have.
BRIDGE MODEL
My bridge design can support a load of two tin fish and a bath soap (450 grams).
The construction of the bridge was interesting especially designing a bridge using local materials and without using any fastener such as ropes, nails, glue etc...The biggest challenge was to construct a bridge that can support enough weight or load. There were a lot of unanswered questions encountered at the initial stage and during the construction of the bridge. Those questions were turned into investigations according to my educational context. Some of those questions are shown below.
Some of those questions are general while some are discipline thinking questions.​
INVESTIGATION QUESTIONS IN THE BRIDGE DESIGN
Which local material (sticks) will provide a good bridge design that can support more weight/load?
What materials would be best to make a bridge out of?
What is the correct tool to be used in the construction of the bridge? Are the tools required available? Are the tools safe to use? What tool is not available that I need to procure before construction?​​
What shape and size of the selected material(sticks) will be used in the bridge design?
How can we make our bridge out of one material?
If I use thicker sticks, will it make a stronger (higher load capacity) bridge?
Should the sticks be smooth or rough?
Does the shape (flat, round) impact the strength of the bridge?
Should I try other positioning of the sticks to get the best design?
Notes: it works
Should I balance the position of the sticks?
Can the bridge design support the load?
Are the position of the sticks balanced?
Can the bridge design support the heavier load?
Are the sticks strong and is their position firmed/fixed?
Should the sticks be wet or dry?
How can I make the sticks less sticky?
Which is the best bridge design?
What are the different bridge designs I can test? Which design should I used?
Is the bridge easier to construct with different stick measurements?
What is the appropriate length and thickness of the sticks to be used in the selected bridge design?
What is the relationship between load capacity and number of sticks?
Is there an optimum length for sticks?
What is the best design of bridge to maximize weight bearing?
How should I position the sticks for a good bridge design without using any fastener?
What is the relationship between load capacity and number of sticks?
