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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.

Presentation

  • Final Presentation

    Second, the class will make a final, one-two hour, oral presentation of its solution in early December. This presentation will be open to the entire MIT community. In addition, a panel of experts will be invited to attend the presentation and to critique them in an open forum. Because it would be logistically difficult for everyone to speak during the presentation, the staff recommends that each team elect one member to join a presentation committee that will choreograph the final presentation. The committee member should not bear sole responsibility for the work involved in developing the presentation!

    Read more: Final Presentation

  • Final Research Presentation

    Students completed four two-page reaction papers, one 25-page final research paper, and presented a summary of their final paper in class.

    Read more: Final Research Presentation

  • Final Design Review & Presentations

    Each team will prepare the following: one-minute presentation; poster session and final design review.

    Read more: Final Design Review & Presentations

  • 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

  • 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

  • Final Assignment

    Directions:

    1. Identify a narrow policy issue of your choice (take a look at the materials provided for various case studies on the course website if you are having trouble picking a topic);
    2. Present an analysis of the policy issue;
    3. Identify alternative policies;
    4. Evaluate and analyze the policy you are studying using cost-benefit analysis, stakeholder analysis, data analysis, and / or analysis of inputs, outputs, and outcomes;
    5. Apply the correct type(s) of policy analysis to the alternatives;
    6. Present the results of your analysis and the give the best option based on your criteria; and
    7. Make suggestions for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the policy.
    Read more: Final Assignment

  • Assignment 2 – EPA Open Docket on Pesticides

    The EPA has opened docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 to review neonicotinoids, pesticides that may have an adverse effect on pollinators, including bees. You have been asked by your client to review the EPA primary and supporting documents and provide a 2-page memo of comments to the EPA stating your position. You may choose your client. Decide who you will represent—an advocacy group, a state environmental protection agency, a farmer, etc.

    Read more: Assignment 2 – EPA Open Docket on Pesticides

  • Assignment 1 – Hometown Analysis

    A critical part of creating policy is the data gathering process. What data can you find quickly and analyze? What do the data mean? What story can you tell using reliable data? What data do you need?

    Using your hometown as the subject of your investigation, assume that you are a policy analyst and you work for the new mayor or the new town or city council.

    What data can you use to tell a story about your hometown? Where is it located? How many people live there? What does it provide in terms of resources to the state?

    Read more: Assignment 1 – Hometown Analysis

  • Group Presentations

    Students will be assigned to choose one material represented by each of the three case study groups: glass, metal, or rubber. Each group will research one aspect of the chosen material and make a group presentation at the end of the corresponding unit.

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  • Assignment 4

    The fourth and last phase of our first lab consists of the following: 

    1. Download data from your second test period, which should be a week long and a minimum of six days. 
    2. Compare your measured data with an after-the-fact prediction made with measured outdoor temperature and solar radiation. 
    3. Adapt the provided Matlab .m file to accurately simulate your elf house. 
    4. Prepare a 10-minute presentation for lab next week to describe your work, which should include all data and as much analysis as you have been able to perform. No need to cover Mr. Potato Head. No late presentations, please!
    5. Prepare a written lab report using the provided checklist and submit the report in lab in two weeks. 
    Read more: Assignment 4

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.