Great Engineering or Nah...? (GEON)
You be the critic.
Thank you so much for visiting this page...Unfortunately, I will not be continuing the MESA GEON this year because I am no longer teaching MESA. If I am fortunate enough to teach this course again, I will definitely get this back up and running!
Analyze the product or structure for this week. Write a thoughtful reflection (about a half-page) about whether you believe this object, design, or invention is a great one and why. Some of the questions below may be of help to you in asserting your position.
- Who invented this?
- Who is this built for?
- What materials were used? Are they cheap/expensive and easy to get or make?
- Does this make us more efficient? How?
- How long would it take to build this?
- What can be done to make this a better product?
- Why would this be popular or unpopular?
- In what part(s) of the world would this product do well? Why?
GEON May 15, 2019: Airpods (Wireless Earbuds)
GEON April 26, 2019:
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Some GEONs from 2017-18 school yearAugust 7-11, 2017: The Carpet Alarm Clock
August 14-18, 2017: Horizontal Reflective Glasses August 21-25, 2017: Fitbit Fitness Tracker August 28-Sept 1, 2017: Convertible Futon Bunk Bed September 4-8, 2017: Rolling Toothpaste Squeezer September 11--15, 2017: Hoverboard September 18-22, 2017: Bluetooth Fidget Spinner September 25-29, 2017: Cane w/ Seat October 2-6, 2017: Foldable Car Windshield Sun Shade October 9-13, 2017: None this week October 16-20, 2017: Heavy Duty Foldable Truck Dolly October 23-27, 2017: Handheld Can Opener October 31-November 3, 2017: Popsockets November 6-10, 2017: Polaroid Camera November 13-17, 2017: Solar Phone Charger December 4-8, 2017: Glow Bowl -- Light Up Toilet Seat January 8-12, 2018: Amazon Echo January 16-19, 2018: ROCO MINIMALIST Aluminum Slim Wallet January 29-February 2, 2018: Camelbak Hydra Pak February 5-9, 2018: RC Drones w/ Cameras |
Behind the MESA Weekly GEON Writing Prompt
This writing prompt is meant to foster the constant analytical thinking that I hope my students will acquire well beyond their high school years. I want my students to have a platform for where they can write down their analysis, ideas, curiosities, and opinions. From anything already built in this world to brand new inventions waiting to be patented, I want my students always pondering questions such as:
A thoughtful half-page to one-page reflection is sufficient, but if students want to add a prototype/ sketch/drawing to accompany their suggestion, that would be great too. I simply want my students to communicate their ideas through writing.
This is the second year Loara High School is participating in the MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) Program. I am beyond ecstatic to be the MESA instructor!
Throughout the year, we will be learning how to research, design, build, and test our many projects. But while my goals are to help my students be critical and analytical thinkers and explore the various STEM fields through the team building of these projects, I also want them to sharpen their analytical skills by writing their own critique about product designs or inventions that have already been done.
This writing prompt is meant to foster the constant analytical thinking that I hope my students will acquire well beyond their high school years. I want my students to have a platform for where they can write down their analysis, ideas, curiosities, and opinions. From anything already built in this world to brand new inventions waiting to be patented, I want my students always pondering questions such as:
- Why does this work?
- Why is this not sold in other countries?
- Why is this so expensive or cheap?
- How come I didn't think of this?
- How would I have altered this product to make it more efficient?
A thoughtful half-page to one-page reflection is sufficient, but if students want to add a prototype/ sketch/drawing to accompany their suggestion, that would be great too. I simply want my students to communicate their ideas through writing.
This is the second year Loara High School is participating in the MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) Program. I am beyond ecstatic to be the MESA instructor!
Throughout the year, we will be learning how to research, design, build, and test our many projects. But while my goals are to help my students be critical and analytical thinkers and explore the various STEM fields through the team building of these projects, I also want them to sharpen their analytical skills by writing their own critique about product designs or inventions that have already been done.
