Grand Engineering Challenge with MM and Sally

Now that we're home safely from Mars we'll be shifting our conceptual focus in science. We started the year with Discovery and Exploration, moved on to Power and now we will consider Innovation. The Production will incorporate innovation in a variety of very meaningful ways, and although that is our culminating project for the 3rd term, in science we will be exploring innovation through two projects – the first of which is the Engineering Grand Challenge.

I came across an essay contest sponsored by the National Association of Engineers that caught my eye a few weeks back. It read:
Often the work of engineers can make a big difference in society, and sometimes their work can affect millions or even billions of people. In the last 100 years engineers have changed the world with advances our great grandparents could only have imagined. Technology has allowed us to explore the galaxy, provide safe drinking water and food to millions of people, and communicate across the globe. But the work is not yet finished. The most pressing world needs demand engineers who are creative and persistent. Think about what life will be like on earth in the next 100 years. What do you believe are the most critical human needs? How might engineers contribute to meeting these needs? These are Engineering’s Grand Challenges. In 500 to 750 words write about the Grand Challenge that you believe will lead to the most important breakthrough of the 21st century and describe the role that engineers will play in meeting that challenge and building our future.
(See full link here.)

This seemed like an excellent opportunity to combine several educational components: to be creative problem solvers as we suggest solutions to global issues, to think like democratic citizens as we consider world needs in the next 100 years, and to practice concise, persuasive writing as well as research skills. Additionally, this is a great chance for Sally and MM to collaborate – combining writing with science. This week your daughters have been brainstorming about current and future world issues and possible engineering solutions. They started out with 25 possible writing topics from improving recycling to improving sanitary living conditions around the world. Eventually each student will narrow her pool of questions down to one that she will write about. Stay tuned…more innovation to come!