PHYS 1000 — Decision-Making Tools (Week 11)

Decision-Making Tools

So far, you’ve done a lot of exploring — noticing what gives you energy, imagining multiple futures, and reflecting on what you value in life and work. This week, we’ll take the next step: learning how to make choices among the many options you’ve imagined.

Decision-making in Design Thinking is not about finding the one “right” answer. It’s about testing ideas, gathering feedback, and moving forward. You’ll learn a few tools that can help you choose with more confidence and less stress — and then you’ll practice using them on real decisions you’re facing right now.

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🗣️ Check-In

When was the last time you had to make a tough decision?

How did you make it — with data, advice, intuition, or avoidance?

How this connects to our goals: Helps you become aware of your decision-making habits — an important part of self-discovery and designing your path.

Highlights from the Week

After sharing this with a partner in class, submit this to the discussion thread in D2L.

You have the option to post anonymously in D2L, if you choose.

🛠️ Mini-Lesson: Decision-Making in Design Thinking

Until now, you’ve been in the exploration phase:

  • Energy Logs helped you notice patterns in your daily life.
  • Odyssey Plans helped you imagine multiple possible futures.
  • Lifeview and Workview helped you clarify your values.

But reflection isn’t enough — at some point, you have to choose.
This week, you’ll practice moving from reflection → decision → action.

Designers use decisions to learn, not to get it “right.” Each choice becomes a mini-experiment. To support that, we’ll use a few tools:

  • Pros/Cons + Energy Check — go beyond logic and consider what excites or drains you.
  • Role-Model Interview — talk to someone who’s made a similar choice and learn from their experience.
  • Odyssey Comparison — look at your three futures side-by-side and notice which feels most aligned with your values right now.
  • Lifeview/Workview Alignment — ask: does this option reflect what I actually care about?
🔍 In-Class Activity: Decision-Making in Action
Step 1 – Group Scenarios

Work in small groups. Each group will get one scenario (see below).

  • Decide which tools could help the student in that situation.
  • Be ready to explain why those tools make sense when we debrief.

Example Scenarios:

  1. Alex has been offered a paid tutoring job but isn’t sure it fits his future goals.
  2. Taylor is choosing between joining a research lab or focusing on grades this semester.
  3. Jordan is torn between studying abroad or applying for an REU next summer.
  4. Morgan is trying to decide whether to run for a leadership role in Women in Physics.
Step 2 – Your Own Decision

Think about a real decision you’re facing this semester — big or small.
Use two tools from today’s mini-lesson to help you think it through.

  • Example: Pros/Cons + Energy Check, or Odyssey Comparison + Lifeview Alignment.
  • 👉 Write down what each tool reveals about your options.
Step 3 – Partner Share

Pair up and discuss your decision and the tools you tried.

  • Which tool helped the most?
  • Did anything surprise you?
  • What’s one next step you can take to keep moving forward?
Step 4 – Class Debrief

We’ll regroup and share insights.

How is this kind of decision-making different from how you usually make choices?
What can you carry forward to future decisions in physics or college life?

🚪 Exit Ticket

Before you leave today, go to the D2L discussion thread and post:

  • The decision you worked on today.
  • The tool that helped you most and what you learned from it.

(You may post anonymously, but you must post something.)

  • Discover yourself by understanding your decision-making style.
  • Explore careers and opportunities by practicing tools that guide real choices.
  • Design your path by learning to make confident, flexible decisions that align with your values.
🔭 Next Week Preview: Seminar with Dr. Eckart Meiburg

This seminar offers an inside look at fluid dynamics, the study of how fluids (liquids and gases) move and interact. Dr. Meiburg’s research explores complex flow phenomena—from turbulence and stratified flows to natural and industrial processes. His work shows how fluid dynamics connects theory, computation, and experimentation—and how physics applies to challenges ranging from ocean currents to aerospace design.

Think about how this connects with what we’ve been doing in class:

  • Listen for how Dr. Meiburg describes his research questions—what motivates him to choose one topic over another?
  • Notice how theoretical, computational, and experimental work intersect in his research.
  • Pay attention to the decision-making process in research—how does curiosity shape what scientists pursue?
  • Be ready to ask your question during the Q&A.

🎯 How This Week Connects to Our Learning Goals

This module supports our course goals by:

  • Discover yourself by understanding your decision-making style.
  • Explore careers and opportunities by practicing tools that guide real choices.
  • Design your path by learning to make confident, flexible decisions that align with your values.