STEM Technology Challenge - Naval Innovation

High School Grades 9-12: STEM Technology Challenge - Naval Innovation: Teams or individuals will solve real-world challenges faced by the Navy, presenting their solutions and prototypes which may inspire the next generation of decision makers. Once complete, teams or individuals are encouraged to make a video documentary presentation about their work and send their video to education@navymemorial.org. If all requirements are met, teams or individuals may receive national recognition by the Navy Memorial and more.

High School Grades 9-12: STEM Technology Challenge - Naval Innovation

High School Lesson Plan:  STEM Technology Challenge - Naval Innovation

Subject: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

Grade Level: 9-12

Mission Brief: The U.S. Navy faces an array of complex challenges requiring innovative approaches to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. From improving ship performance to addressing marine environmental concerns and enhancing sailors' safety in extreme conditions, the demand for creative problem-solving is paramount. To inspire the next generation of innovators, this program challenges high school students to research a current naval issue and develop a prototype solution, culminating in a "Shark Tank"-style presentation to showcase their creativity, feasibility, and potential impact.

Students will explore one or more focus areas: ship design and efficiency; navigation, safety, and security; sustainability and environmental impact; maintenance and repair; and human factors. By combining STEM skills, the engineering design process, and the principles of universal design, participants will tackle real-world problems while honing their ability to communicate solutions effectively through video presentations and digital posters.

Materials to support classroom implementation include a structured, multi-day lesson plan to support students as they progress from brainstorming and research to prototyping and presentation. Possible activities include learning universal design principles, collaborating on innovative solutions, constructing prototypes with hands-on materials, and creating polished presentations. This Challenge emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity while providing differentiated support for diverse learning needs. Assessment includes evaluations of research quality, prototype functionality, and presentation clarity using a comprehensive rubric. Participating teams or individuals may consider including extension opportunities, such as guest speakers and field trips, to further connect students to the naval industry, sparking interest in STEM careers and equipping them to shape the future of naval innovation.

Problem Statement: Innovate to Navigate: The Future of Naval Solutions

The U.S. Navy faces diverse and evolving challenges that require innovative solutions to maintain safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. From improving maritime security to enhancing vessel performance, addressing marine environmental concerns, or developing technologies to aid sailors in extreme conditions, the demand for creative problem-solving has never been greater. As a team of innovative thinkers, your mission is to research a current naval problem and design a prototype that addresses this challenge. You will present your solution in a "Shark Tank"-style pitch to a panel of judges, showcasing your understanding of the issue, the feasibility of your design, and its potential impact on naval operations. To participate, record your presentation and send to education@navymemorial.org.

Your prototype could address one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Ship design and efficiency:  Examples include strategies to decrease fuel consumption or improve hull design 

  • Navigation, Safety and Security: Examples include strategies or devices to improve surveillance and defense capabilities, avoid collisions, and/or predict weather. 

  • Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Examples include solutions to reduce emissions, prevent pollution, and/or reduce the naval operations’ environmental footprint

  • Maintenance and Repair:  Examples include solutions to prevent corrosion or to perform underwater inspection. 

  • Human Factors: Examples include solutions to improve sailors’ health, safety, or quality of life. Solutions that increase accessibility for sailors with disabilities.

Are you ready to dive deep and rise to the challenge? It’s time to combine your creativity, STEM skills, and teamwork to create the future of naval innovation!

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to identify and research a real-world problem within the naval industry.

  • Students will be able to apply the engineering design process to develop an innovative solution.

  • Students will be able to demonstrate the principles of universal design in their prototype.

  • Students will be able to effectively communicate their solution through a video presentation and digital poster.

Materials Needed:

  • Computers with internet access

  • Presentation software (e.g., Google Slides, PowerPoint)

  • Video editing software (e.g., iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush)

  • Poster design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark)

  • Prototyping materials (e.g., cardboard, foam board, 3D printer, LEGOs, basic electronics)

Possible Multi-Day Lesson Plan to Support In-Class Implementation: 

Day 1: Introduction & Research

  1. Introduction (10 minutes):

    • Begin by introducing the challenge and its connection to real-world problem-solving in the naval industry.

    • Discuss the importance of STEM fields in naval innovation.

    • Show examples of naval technologies and their evolution.

  1. Brainstorming Naval Problems (15 minutes):

    • Divide students into groups of 3-4.

    • Brainstorm potential problems faced by the naval industry. Encourage them to think broadly about areas like: 

      • Ship design and efficiency:  Examples include strategies to decrease fuel consumption or improve hull design 

      • Navigation, Safety and Security: Examples include strategies or devices to improve surveillance and defense capabilities, avoid collisions, and/or predict weather. 

      • Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Examples include solutions to reduce emissions, prevent pollution, and/or reduce the naval operations’ environmental footprint

      • Maintenance and Repair:  Examples include solutions to prevent corrosion or to perform underwater inspection. 

      • Human Factors: Examples include solutions to improve sailors’ health, safety, or quality of life. Solutions that increase accessibility for sailors with disabilities.

  1. Research and Problem Selection (20 minutes):

    • Have each group select one problem to focus on.

    • Guide students to conduct research using reliable online sources (naval journals, industry websites, scientific articles) to gather information about their chosen problem.

Day 2: Universal Design & Ideation

  1. Universal Design Principles (15 minutes):

    • Introduce the concept of universal design. Explain its seven principles: 

      • Equitable Use

      • Flexibility in Use

      • Simple and Intuitive Use

      • Perceptible Information

      • Tolerance for Error

      • Low Physical Effort   

      • Size and Space for Approach and Use   

    • Discuss how universal design can be applied to naval technology to improve accessibility and usability for a diverse crew.

  1. Ideation and Brainstorming (20 minutes):

    • Guide groups to brainstorm potential solutions to their chosen problem, keeping universal design principles in mind. Encourage creative thinking and out-of-the-box ideas.

    • Have each group sketch and annotate multiple solution ideas.

  1. Solution Selection and Refinement (10 minutes):

    • Facilitate a discussion within each group to select the most promising solution.

    • Encourage groups to refine their chosen solution based on feasibility, effectiveness, and adherence to universal design principles.

Days 3-4: Prototyping

  1. Prototype Planning (15 minutes):

    • Guide students to develop a plan for their prototype, including: 

      • Materials needed

      • Construction steps

      • Features to be included

  1. Prototype Construction (Remaining Time):

    • Provide students with access to prototyping materials and tools.

    • Supervise and assist students as they build their prototypes.

    • Encourage collaboration and problem-solving within groups.

Day 5: Presentation Preparation

  1. Video Presentation (20 minutes):

    • Introduce the guidelines for the video presentation: 

      • Clearly explain the naval problem and its significance.

      • Describe their solution and how it addresses the problem.

      • Highlight the universal design features of their prototype.

      • Demonstrate the functionality of their prototype (if possible).

      • Keep the presentation concise and engaging (3-5 minutes).

  1. Digital Poster (20 minutes):

    • Provide guidelines for the digital poster: 

      • Include visuals (photos, diagrams, sketches) to illustrate their solution.

      • Use clear and concise language to explain the problem, solution, and universal design features.

      • Organize information logically and use an appealing layout.

  1. Presentation Practice (5 minutes):

    • Allow time for groups to practice their presentations and rehearse their explanations.

Day 6-7: Presentations and Evaluation

  1. Presentations (Majority of Time):

    • Have each group present their video and digital poster to the class.

    • Encourage classmates to ask questions and provide constructive feedback.

    • Presentations should be a maximum of 5 minutes.  

  1. Evaluation (Remaining Time):

    • Use the rubric to evaluate student presentations and prototypes based on: 

      • Clarity of problem definition and research

      • Innovation and effectiveness of the solution and the application of universal design principles

      • Quality and functionality of the prototype

      • Teamwork and collaboration

      • Quality of the video presentation 

      • Creativity and visual appeal, including the digital poster

Differentiation:

  • For students who need support: 

    • Provide pre-selected research articles or websites.

    • Offer more structured guidance during the brainstorming and prototyping phases.

    • Allow for alternative presentation formats (e.g., written report, oral presentation).

  • For advanced students: 

    • Encourage them to explore more complex naval problems.

    • Challenge them to incorporate advanced technologies or design features into their prototypes.

    • Have them research and present on the ethical considerations of their solution.

Assessment:

  • Observe student participation in discussions and group activities.

  • Evaluate the quality of research and problem-solving.

  • Use the included rubric to evaluate the video presentations and digital posters.

Extension Activities:

  • Invite a naval engineer or other industry professional to speak to the class.

  • Arrange a field trip to the Navy Memorial, a naval museum or shipyard.

Once complete, teams or individuals are encouraged to film their progress and send their video to education@navymemorial.org. If all requirements are met, teams or individuals may receive national recognition by the Navy Memorial and more.

To explore additional Sea Service Competitions, click each of the three seals below to learn the specific characteristics of the Sea Service Project, Engagement Challenge, and the Sea Service Video Challenge.