Task: Use technology to create a solution to a problem that is meaningful to yourself and that relates to life, society and/or the environment

INVESTIGATION

During your investigation make sure that you keep a complete record of what you find out and where is came from (the source). You must use a range and variety of sources (internet, surveys, video, friends, teachers, books, newspapers etc. ) and include a full MLA style bibliography and use FOOTNOTES.

Objectives

Students need to independently formulate questions when investigating a problem. These research questions should be based on the nature and type of materials, the tools, techniques and equipment and whether there are similar existing products. They should also identify and take into account the specific needs of users.

During the Investigation you will:

  • Research the AoI's
  • Explore the issues and find a problem on which to base your project
  • Interview potential users of your product
  • Review solutions to similar problems
  • Collect the information you will need to make your solution
  • Try out potential software/workshop techniques to see if they could be used to create your solution.

Full list of MYP Objectives for Grade 10:

Objectives for the INVESTIGATE section

You MUST:

A. Identify the Problem:

  • evaluate the importance of the problem for life, society and/or the environment
  • outline the design brief.

B. Develop the design brief:

  • formulate and discuss appropriate questions that guide the investigation
  • identify and acknowledge a range of appropriate sources of information
  • collect, analyse, select,organize and evaluate information
  • evaluate the sources of information.

C. Formulate a design specification:

  • list the specific requirements that must be met by the product/solution
  • design tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

Definitions:

Describe- To give a detailed account.
Design brief: The student’s response to the challenge, showing how they intend to solve the problem they have been presented with. This will guide their investigation as they work to develop a more detailed design specification
Evaluate: To assess the implications and limitations; make judgments about the value of ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria.
Explain To give a clear account including causes and reasons or mechanisms

Your first job is to define a specific problem that you can try to solve at our school. Be realistic, and try to make a difference. IT MUST BE RELATED TO AN AOI. What follows is a guide or possible way to tackle the task. You can follow these tsks or develop your own method. Remember the objectives above. And keep an eye on the top level (5-6) of the rubric. See below:

 

Investigation

0

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.

1 - 2

  • The student states the problem.
  • The student investigates the problem, collecting information from sources.
  • The student lists some specifications.

3 - 4
  • The student describes the problem, mentioning its relevance.
  • The student investigates the problem, selecting and analysing information from some acknowledged sources.
  • The student describes a test to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

5 - 6
  • The student explains the problem, discussing its relevance.
  • The student critically investigates the problem, evaluating information from a broad range of appropriate, acknowledged sources.
  • The student describes detailed methods for appropriate testing to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

 

Example work here

 

 

Help with Investigation available here.

  design plan create evaluate