Great engineers don’t just write code—they explain it. Our Oral Defense is a friendly capstone conversation where students present their final project, walk through their decisions, and respond to open-ended questions. The tone is supportive, never adversarial. We want students to experience the satisfaction of articulating how they solved a problem and what they might do next with more time.
Each student uses a simple structure: problem statement, design sketch, core features, demo, and testing highlights. We ask prompts like, “What trade-off did you make here?” or “How did tests shape your design?” These questions nudge students to connect cause and effect, to reference evidence, and to celebrate smart iteration. Parents often tell us the habit carries over into science labs, math proofs, and even English essays.
The result is poise. Students discover that clear communication is a multiplier: it earns trust, invites collaboration, and turns projects into portfolio pieces. By normalizing public speaking in a safe setting, we help kids step into advanced coursework—and life—with confidence.