Constructing an Evidence-Based Proposal
Build an evidence-based engineering proposal for malaria treatment in Grade 8 science. Students structure their solution as a logical argument—claim, quantitative evidence, and connection to design criteria—proving their treatment plan is superior to alternatives through data from controlled tests.
Key Concepts
The final step of an engineering internship is communicating the solution.
A strong engineering proposal is built on a logical argument structure. It begins with a claim —the proposed optimal treatment plan.
Common Questions
What makes a strong engineering proposal for malaria treatment?
A strong proposal starts with a clear claim (the optimal treatment plan), supports it with quantitative evidence (cure rates and resistance data from testing), and connects that data to the project's criteria (minimizing resistance, maximizing cure rate, staying within cost and safety constraints).
How do students use experimental data to support a malaria treatment proposal?
Students run simulated treatment trials testing different dosages and durations. They gather numerical data on cure rates and resistance development, then select the trial that best meets all criteria. That data becomes the evidence supporting their proposed treatment.
Why must an engineering proposal connect evidence to criteria?
Listing data alone is not enough—the proposal must explain why that data proves the design is optimal. Connecting cure rate percentages to the specific criteria (e.g., 'this plan achieved a 95% cure rate while resistance remained below 5%, meeting both criteria') is what makes the argument persuasive.