5+Problem+Solving+&+Modeling


 * Estimate / Guesstimate Quiz online @ NYTIMES**

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/31/science/20090331-angier-quiz.html

Chapter 1: Logic Tree: p. 17 - 21
 * Problem Solving Tools / Strategies:**

Chapter 2: Mushroom Lovers Yes/No Tree: p. 32 - 33 Problem Solving Design Plan p. 39

Chapter 3: John's Big Dream Hypothesis Pyramid p. 70-71

Chapter 4: Kiwi, the Soccer Girl Pros & Cons; Criteria & Evaluation Chart p. 92 - 96, 98, 105 Question / Action Plan p. 100


 * POSSIBLY TRY TO GET A CONSULTANT WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO COME IN AND RUN THROUGH A MOCK CASE STUDY INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE WITH THE CLASS AFTER Day 6?!!**

do estimate/guesstimate problems Discuss Chapter 1: Problem Solving 101 about types of personality, and how the personality affects a person's ability to solve a problem. (p.10 chart) introduce phases/steps of problem solving - (see pg. 14)
 * Day 1 Introduction**

HW: watch video IDEO the deep dive pt 1: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHOxyafGpE&feature=related IDEO the deep dive pt 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZ8pmkg1do&feature=relmfu IDEO the deep dive pt 3: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyugyrCQTuw&feature=watch_response Question: Describe how IDEO followed the steps of problem solving in their design/innovation process

Process: What's wrong really? sometimes focus is on symptoms or less critical issues, but an underlying fundamental problem is at the heart
 * Defining the Problem:**

What are the factors driving the problem... ALL of them...as deep as you can go...
 * Diagnosing the Problem**

come up with lots of ideas and decide which are best
 * Identifying Solutions**

How would the solution be implemented? how would you get all stakeholders on board with the solution? what needs to be considered?
 * Executing the Solution**

Start with an estimate/guesstimate problem, look at the cases from Problem Solving 101
 * Day 2 __Mushroom Lover's Part 1__**

Case Study: __Save the Mushroom Lovers__ Situation (p. 27 - 29) Chart with specifics: (p.26) Step 1: Diagnose the situation and identify the root cause of the problem Class Discussion lesson (p.33 - 45) going through the steps
 * List potential root causes
 * Develop hypothesis for root cause
 * information needed to test hypothesis
 * Analyze results and identify root cause

HW: give students snippets of problems and have them practice the tools discussed in class: Logic Tree and Yes/No Tree

Step 2: Develop the solution Class discussion lesson going through solution creation and implementation, focusing on method chart (p. 48-49) and impact vs. implementation graph (p.51, 53)
 * Day 3 __Mushroom Lover's Part 2__**
 * Develop a wide variety of solutions
 * Prioritize actions
 * Develop implementation plan

HW: give student scenarios to make impact vs. implementation graph and discuss which solution(s) they would pick

Situation (p. 61) Chart with specifics (p. 59-60) Class Discussion lesson (p. 61-83) As a class focus on creating a hypothesis tree for how to close the gap, discuss which options are not possible. Students work in groups on developing the action plan using strategies and analysis techniques from Mushroom Lovers.
 * Day 4** **Case Study: __John's Big Dream and First Goal__**
 * Step 1: Set a clear goal
 * Step 2: Determine the gap between goal and current situation
 * Step 3: Form hypothesis about how to close gap
 * Step 4: Check hypothesis

HW: finish action plan strategies and more practice with hypothesis trees

Situation (p. 87 - 91) Class Discussion lesson (p. 91-110) Focus on getting into the specifics of the criteria and pros and cons.
 * Day 5 Case Study: __Soccer School Pros and Cons__**

Need computers for this day, student can work through
 * Day 6: Practice Fun- online**

__Interactive Case Study Practice at Boston Consulting Group__ http://www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interactive_case/default.aspx

__Team Leader Game__: (students get scored and we can talk about results as a class) http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/swiss/career/team_leader/index.asp

And then sample Problem Solving Test from McKinsey: @http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/telaviv/faq/advanced_problem_solving_sample.pdf

Homework: Finish problem solving test, maybe add a quick written reflection as well.

Old Spice Commercial Case Result http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD1WqPGn5Ag
 * Day 7: Real World Examples of Case Studies and Results**

Game of Thrones Case Study http://vimeo.com/29285256

Sistine Chapel Case Study http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oo7_eFftuM

Create a worksheet or chart for the students to fill out that follows the problem-solving process: What's wrong really? sometimes focus is on symptoms or less critical issues, but an underlying fundamental problem is at the heart What are the factors driving the problem... ALL of them...as deep as you can go... come up with lots of ideas and decide which are best How would the solution be implemented? how would you get all stakeholders on board with the solution? what needs to be considered?
 * Defining the Problem:**
 * Diagnosing the Problem**
 * Identifying Solutions**
 * Executing the Solution**
 * Results of the Solution**

Homework: Watch Designing Curiosity's Mars Landing, from CalTech's Jet Propulsion Lab video '7 Minutes of Terror' __ @http://youtu.be/pzqdoXwLBT8 __ List as many problems and solutions as you can about the challenges of getting to Mars.

Come up with a problem you are willing to share with the class.

Break up into groups of two or three to share problems and work through problem solving techniques and possible solutions to the problems.
 * Day 8 Personal Problem Solving**

HW Day 8: Write a reflection of what you learned or found interesting about the unit

Dinosaur valuation problem.
 * Day 9 - 10 Practice Case Study**

HW Day 9: Read two other reflections and comment, work on case study HW Day 10: write up case study

Randomly break kids up into consulting firms, randomly assign each firm a problem. The firm must come up with a recommendation to the client regarding the problem. Students will go through the process of collecting data, forming hypothesis, etc, through the execution of a solution and report results.
 * Days 11-15 School Problems**

Sample problems:
 * How to increase enrollment in A Human Math Experience
 * How to deal better improve the parking situation around the high school
 * Ask Deb for suggestions for a possible third

Get real problems immediately relevant to students- from Deb Holman? how about 'How can we get more students to sign up for this course?'

Start with small problems that could be worked out in 1 day and kids work in small groups (consulting firms) to complete different ones and present to each other for feedback, to a grand finale of all groups vying to find best solution for the same problem - something about school.

--- Go through Pi's case study work stuff

Workbook to work through and fill in for solving a problem - goes through the steps with guiding questions and grids to fill in:

Estimate/Guesstimate questions: @http://www.consultingcase101.com/category/case-interview-questions/estimate-guesstimate/page/2/

Resource book: Case in Point - Marc P. Cosentino, Chris Glasser

here's a website of a professor at rice univ. who teaches an innovative logical problem solving course in the business school... good resources.

UMAP Modules for use at end of unit