The following notes are given as guide to the criteria that is applied in assessing pilot and integrating project assignments.

Descriptors are given below under the headings usually associated with the design problem solving and making process. Not all descriptors apply to all assignments.

Have you chosen an appropriate interpretation of the design brief?

Have you attempted to gain experience through this assignment which develops your capabilities in a new area of expertise?

Is there evidence of good research to support your design work ?

Have you provided a specification for a probable solution ?

Have you made an appropriate attempt to identify parameters that present a good degree of difficulty in manufacturing for the proposed solution ; as opposed to taking a simplistic interpretation which does not provide a sound sound solution or provide you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge and experience in the area of application ?

Were the design decisions well founded or supported by appropriate factual information and research investigation ?

Did the development of your design provide evidence of careful thought with ample consideration being given to alternatives ?

Was the evidence recorded in your design folder/report.

Was there evidence that relevant scientific knowledge or technical concepts have been applied in the design process ?

Were the technical descriptions of the operation of the product accurate and indicate a thorough knowledge of it's function ?

Were the concepts of stability, rigidity, compression, tension bending and buckling given appropriate consideration when planning your design ?

Were the force analysis calculations and/or vector diagram concepts applied carefully and accurately, determining the forces acting in all the members of the structure ?

Were appropriate construction methods used and did they serve to confirm the appropriateness of your structural design ?

Was the gear ratio appropriate to enable the motor to apply adequate torque to drive the mechanism reliably ?

Was the operation of your pneumatic circuit reliable to meet the required specification ?

Were there assembly or construction faults which prevented adequate operation of the circuit ?

Was the operation of your electronic circuit sensitive, reliable and an appropriate solution to the required specification ?

Did the written description of the electronic circuit operation provide a detailed explanation of the function of each section of the circuit ?

Did you provide evidence of writing well structured BASIC programs involving a range of techniques which may have included sub-routine procedures ?

Did your program function explanations provide good evidence of your understanding of the program operation ?

Were the output and input function allocations described satisfactorily ?

Was the operation of the program effective and error free ?

Did the manufacture of your product reveal appropriate selection of materials and implementation of suitable materials processing skills ?

Was the product trialled for effective and reliable performance ?

Was the packaging attractive and enhance the product presentation?

Was the self evaluation satisfactory and acknowledge factors which would influence any further development of the product should the opportunity present itself ?

Have you benefited from this project and made progress in the development of your knowledge, skills and understanding of applications within the area of product development ?

Has a satisfactory record been made of the research, design, construction and development of the product ?

Would the use of photographs enhance the presentation of your design folder. ?

Did you handwriting enhance the presentation of your report ?

Could the visual appearance of your report have been enhanced by using word processing techniques when appropriate ?

Are your graphics illustrations appropriate and communicate the development of the design to good effect ?

Were your sketches informative and accompanied by explanatory notes, which describe form, function, and purpose ?

Was colour used to enhance the visual effect of your design ?

Does the written material address the technical/scientific concepts associated with the topic ?

Are basic concepts introduced in a way that encourages progression from one or two concepts to the integration of several, through problem solving activity ?

Are the information and instructions in the pupil material written in an appropriate style for the intended reader age ?

Are the instructions and problems relating to practical equipment made explicit by the inclusion of diagrams or three dimensional drawings which focus on the task described ?

Alan Paul

1st March '95