Safety boundary
Capstone work must use data, simulation, paper models, or teacher-approved low-risk materials only. Do not synthesize hazardous substances or improvise chemical processes.
Explicit capstone instruction
Normalize or score each candidate on defined criteria using transparent rules.
Apply weights that reflect stated priorities, then calculate weighted totals.
A high score cannot excuse violation of a hard safety or feasibility constraint.
Vocabulary: decision matrix; weight; normalization; tradeoff; sensitivity.
Worked example
Scores 8, 6, 9 with weights 0.4, 0.3, 0.3 produce a weighted score of 7.7.
Guided question
How would doubling the weight on lifecycle impact change the interpretation of a decision matrix?
Independent work
- Build a decision matrix for at least three candidates.
- Calculate weighted totals.
- Reject any constraint violations.
- Run one sensitivity test.
Misconception check
Decision-matrix weights encode values/priorities; they are not purely objective facts.
Formative check
What should happen to a candidate that violates a non-negotiable safety constraint?
Reveal response
It should be rejected or redesigned regardless of weighted score.
Mentor evidence conference
Ask Archaemenes to challenge criteria, chemistry models, evidence quality, tradeoffs, and uncertainty.
Teacher guidance
Foundation: Use a simple three-criterion matrix.
Core: Calculate and defend rankings.
Extended: Perform sensitivity analysis.