Applied Problem Solving
📋 What it is
Solve real problems by defining them, planning, testing a solution, and improving it.
🗣️ Coach says
Physical science shines when you use it to solve a real problem. Define exactly what’s wrong, brainstorm and plan a fix using what you know about forces and energy, test it, and improve. It’s the engineering mindset: fail, learn, improve — on purpose.
🧠 Memory hook
Define → plan → test → improve. Failing is just the improve step arriving early.
😂 Giggle
How does a pulley apologize?
It says "I'm so sorry I dropped the weight on you!"
😲 Whoa!
Engineers deliberately break test versions of bridges and cars — every failure tells them exactly what to strengthen next.
✅ Quick check: Your paper bridge collapses on the first test. Failure or feedback?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Feedback — the collapse shows exactly what to strengthen; that’s the design process working.
A failed prototype is information for the next improvement.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Find a small annoyance at home. Define it, plan one fix, and imagine how you’d test it.