An Exploration of Problem Solving Skills in Science and Engineering

Development of problem solving skills in science and engineering requires a conscious and sustained effort on the part of students. This is especially so in the case of mathematics, which requires logical thinking at every step. In this paper we investigate the essential ingredients of problem solving process, taking mathematics as an example. While some students love the challenge of solving difficult problems there are many who have fear of mathematics. To address this challenge we need to go to the very root of understanding the essential ingredients of the problem solving process. This paper serves 2 objectives First, it aims to help students gain mastery over a subject by providing them a deeper understanding of the problem solving process. Secondly, it provides us a direction for developing an educational software tool with an assessment engine that can identify a students level and his areas of weakness. Such a tool can in turn offer the student more practice in his areas of weakness thereby help him improve. With these objectives, the paper first identifies the essential ingredients of the problem solving process. Subsequently, it identifies in detail the types of tasks that are commonly encountered while solving math problems.