Environmental solution logo

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

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning experiences provide students with direct experiences, accompanied with a critical reflection. Instructors often select the experiences for students, but then serve as the facilitator when the experience is occurring. These experiences are often conducted in informal education settings and with clubs and organizations, but also have a place in the formal setting.

  • Initial Design Review

    At this review, you’ll have 10 minutes to present your project, and then 15 minutes for discussion and questions. You should bring your working prototype and show it working.

    Read more: Initial Design Review

  • Problem Set 0

    Using the given LED (3.6V, 20mA) and 9V battery provided in class, a resistor of your choosing, and found materials, construct a lantern. The lantern should be able to turn on and off.

    Read more: Problem Set 0

  • 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

  • Detail Design, Analysis and Experimental Results

    This assignment prepares for the Phase 3 Design Review of detail design, analysis and experimental results. 

    Read more: Detail Design, Analysis and Experimental Results

  • Idea Generation and Concept Evaluation

    Now that your design problem has been clearly defined and the specifications have been set out, it is time to concentrate on thinking of solutions. 

    Read more: Idea Generation and Concept Evaluation

  • Build-It Module Wrap Up

    Build-It modules are hands-on opportunities to learn how to use a variety hand tools, machine tools and prototyping equipment in project-based training sessions. You choose which module to take based on your interest in the project / skills taught, and are encouraged to coordinate with your teams to gain a variety of experiences that you can then share with each other.

    Read more: Build-It Module Wrap Up

  • Design Project Work

    This is a series of assignments around a design project for the course D-Lab II: Design.

    Read more: Design Project Work

  • Mini-Project: Affordable Rainwater Harvesting System

    The goal of the Mini Project is to design an affordable rainwater harvesting system that is made up of several small storage units that can be fit with attachments for drinking, cooking, hand washing and irrigation (and possibly other applications too). We will have a chance to experiment with some of the technologies that may influence the design (SODIS water bags, tippy tap hand washers and IDE drip irrigation kits) in class Ses #4.

    Read more: Mini-Project: Affordable Rainwater Harvesting System

  • Technology Critique

    Interact with and critique technology from a variety of perspectives

    Read more: Technology Critique

  • Laboratory

    Part of the exploration of the materials and engineering aspects of each case study will be accomplished through hands-on laboratory experience with the materials in question: glass, copper and its alloys, and rubber.

    Read more: Laboratory

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.