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
Collect or use supplied evidence that directly tests the selected performance claim.
Preserve raw data before normalization, scoring, or lifecycle aggregation.
Compare measured or simulated performance with the prediction and record discrepancies.
Vocabulary: prototype evidence; validation; raw data; residual; revision.
Worked example
A material is predicted to retain 90% performance after a simulated cycle but measures 82%; the −8 percentage-point residual should trigger model/design review.
Guided question
Which measurement best tests your highest-priority criterion?
Independent work
- Preserve raw test/data records.
- Calculate at least one performance metric.
- Compare result with prediction.
- Make one evidence-based revision.
Design Investigation
Use safe data/simulation or approved low-risk materials only. Preserve raw evidence, metrics, prediction comparison, uncertainty, and one revision.
Misconception check
A capstone is not complete merely because a preferred candidate was chosen; the choice must be tested against evidence.
Formative check
What makes a revision scientific rather than cosmetic?
Reveal response
It responds to a measured shortfall, model mismatch, or constraint issue.
Mentor evidence conference
Ask Archaemenes to challenge criteria, chemistry models, evidence quality, tradeoffs, and uncertainty.
Teacher guidance
Foundation: Use supplied datasets if needed.
Core: Complete prediction-test-revision cycle.
Extended: Quantify uncertainty and repeatability.