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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 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

  • CI Reports

    Both of these reports should be well-structured, with introductions, body and conclusions. 

    • Review of a current (major) engineering challenge and why it’s important to society today. Stories taken from current news and events, and popular magazines (Popular Science, Science, Nature, Scientific American, New Scientist, Time, US News and World Reports, etc) related to major engineering challenges facing society today. 
    • Ethics position paper (PDF). This position paper will convey your personal opinion relating to the ethical dilemma presented in an assigned reading. You will not be graded on your opinion, but how you convince the reader that your opinion is valid and should be considered. This should be approximately 2 pages
    Read more: CI Reports

  • Lab Notebook Review

    Each class member is required to keep an up-to-date design notebook throughout the term. It is a good design practice to carefully document the history of your work. Also, notebooks are required in professional practice.

    Read more: Lab Notebook Review

  • Quiz 2

    This is a quiz, with open-ended questions from D-Lab I: Development.

    Read more: Quiz 2

  • Sector Paper

    Write a five-page paper (double-spaced, not including figures, tables or pictures) describing the current state of affairs in your country in one of the sectors that we have studied in class:

    Read more: Sector Paper

  • Drowned Out

    If you can't make it to the evening film screening, view DVD of Drowned Out on your own time prior to class on Ses #25.

    Read more: Drowned Out

  • Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 3

    See [Smillie], pp. 44-66. Please answer the following questions (maximum 2 single-spaced pages), using examples from the book where applicable.

    1. According to the reading, what are some of the major reasons why NGOs and the Third Sector developed such an important role in what we call 'international development'?
    2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of NGO organizational structure? Use some examples from the reading.
    3. What is meant by 'civil society'? In what ways might the concepts described by this term influenced the development of D-Lab philosophy?
    Read more: Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 3

  • Trip Project Proposal

    This form will allow the D-Lab staff to provide feedback and help you prepare for your project. You should fill in a form for each project you are working on, but only one of them will be turned in to be graded. You should continue to refine the proposals throughout the semester.

    Read more: Trip Project Proposal

  • Practical Photovoltaics Design

    You are in charge of designing a solar panel installation for a rural health post. The requirements for the given location are as follows:

    • There is a 220W freezer that needs to run 24/7
    • The health post is open until 9pm, and, on average, they have to turn the lights on from 6pm until they close. Given their needs, it seems that the most adequate installation would be 2 fluorescent lights of 15W each.
    • They have an amateur radio to communicate with the clinic in the city, that consumes 40W, and it is usually on for two hours every day.
    • The health post is staffed every day of the year.
    Read more: Practical Photovoltaics Design

  • Current Events

    Review both the national and international media to find a story that affects your D-Lab project country. Some sectors that might be of interest include: the environment, health and sanitation, agriculture, energy, education, humanitarian disaster, politics, economics and information technology. Each person on your D-Lab country team should select a different topic. Write a 2-page summary of the story making sure to comment on its implications for the nation, your D-Lab trip or another affected group. Make sure to properly cite all your sources.

    Read more: Current Events

  • Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 2

    Please answer the following questions (maximum 2 single-spaced pages), using examples from the book where applicable.

    1. Do small farms have a place in the future of agriculture? The world economy? Food security? If so, how?
    2. How do the lessons learned from the Turkana rainwater harvesting project contrast with the actions taken during the green revolution?
    3. Why is there so much focus on post-harvest technology, and value-added production?
    Read more: Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 2

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.