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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

SDG 15 – Life on Land

  • Weekly Responses

    Weekly Responses for the people and other animals section. 

    Read more: Weekly Responses

  • Research Paper

    A research paper relating to topics discussed in class will be the main assignment focus throughout the course [for people and other animals]. Undergraduate students must write a paper of a minimum of 12 pages, while graduate students have a minimum length of 25 pages.

    Read more: Research Paper

  • Short Journal Article

    This second journal article should be a brief (1,500 words or less) compendium of the technical results that YOU specifically have contributed to your group’s work. It’s OK if you worked in pairs with someone, though please try to distinguish what you did if possible

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  • Short Journal Article 1

    For this assignment, you will write a short (1000 words or less) journal-style communication briefly describing your findings on the research portion of this design project.

    Read more: Short Journal Article 1

  • Design for Production

    When designing a product that is to be produced beyond just the prototype stage, attention must be given to the resources that are available and to the sustainability of the manufacturing processes. 

    As a team, determine the appropriate scale of manufacturing for your project: will they be made in the tens, hundreds, or millions? What design changes will need to be made as you shift from manufacture of a single prototype to the production of multiple units?

    Read more: Design for Production

  • Final Report

    Design reports give design engineers the chance to catalog the design process, describe how they came to the decisions they came to, and explain the rationale behind those decisions. As a team, write a 10–15 page report describing your project.

    Read more: Final Report

  • Embodied Energy Evaluation

    Embodied Energy Evaluation

    Read more: Embodied Energy Evaluation

  • Final Presentation

    The Final Presentations will take place at the MIT Museum on the Saturday before our last week of class. The schedule of the event will be as follows:

    • The instructor for each class will give a 2 minutes introduction for the class and introduce the projects
    • Each team will give a 1 minute presentation about their project
    • Each team will be given a space at the Museum to showcase their project. You will be asked to bring your prototype and a poster that gives an overview of the project
    Read more: Final Presentation

  • Wheelchairs and Cook Stoves Assessment

    List the design features of each of the wheelchairs and cook stoves shown below that were driven by each of the ‘bilities that we discussed in class. Refer to the reading assignments for additional information on the materials, techniques and processes used in the manufacture of both wheelchairs and cook stoves. On a separate page, discuss what you think were the major drivers of each design, and what trade-offs were made. 

    Read more: Wheelchairs and Cook Stoves Assessment

  • Book Group

    The four books that comprise Reading Assignment #7 are divided among four groups of students

    • Small is Beautiful
    • Gaviotas
    • Cradle to Cradle
    • Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid
    Read more: Book Group

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.