The engineering design process is a series of steps that engineers follow to come up with a solution to a problem. Many times the solution involves designing a product that meets certain criteria and/or accomplishes a certain task.
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Observe the phenomenon in the video below. Formulate 4 questions about what you have observed.
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The Engineering Design Process
To solve engineering problems, engineers follow a series of steps called the “Engineering Design Process.”
It’s important to note that the EDP is flexible. There are as many variations of the model as there are engineers.
In real life, engineers often work on just one or two steps, then pass their work to another team.
Note that the EDP is a cycle—there’s no official start or end point. You can begin at any step, focus on just one step, move back and forth between steps, or repeat the cycle. For example, after you improve your design once, you may want to begin all over again to refine your technology. You can use the EDP again and again!
- ASK: What is the problem? How have others approached it? What are your constraints?
- IMAGINE: What are some solutions? Brainstorm ideas. Choose the best one.
- PLAN: Draw a diagram. Make lists of materials you will need.
- CREATE: Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
- IMPROVE: What works? What doesn't? What could work better? Modify your design to make it better. Test it out!
It’s important to note that the EDP is flexible. There are as many variations of the model as there are engineers.
In real life, engineers often work on just one or two steps, then pass their work to another team.
Note that the EDP is a cycle—there’s no official start or end point. You can begin at any step, focus on just one step, move back and forth between steps, or repeat the cycle. For example, after you improve your design once, you may want to begin all over again to refine your technology. You can use the EDP again and again!
EDP Labs
Paper Bridge Design Challenge
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Straw Boat Design Challenge
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Comparing the Engineering Design Process and the Scientific Method
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http://ncnewschools.org/blog/pumping-engineering-design-process-life-sciences/
Work Based Learning: Engineering Activities
General Engineering Activities
General Engineering Activities
- Design Squad includes dozens of “hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. They use simple materials, allow for multiple solutions, and are ideal for ages 9-12.” Most include video demonstrations, and many are translated into Spanish.
- DiscoverE has hands-on activities to interest young people in engineering.
- Engineering: Go For It (eGFI) provides a list of engineering activities, organized by grade level.
- Iridescent: The Curiosity Machine includes dozens of engineering challenges, organized by topic. Young people who take on these challenges can receive guidance from online mentors, and professional volunteers can adapt these challenges for classroom visits, company tours, or other volunteer opportunities with young people.
- PBS Zoom includes more than 100 activities and printable resources for children aged eight and up from a PBS show that aired until 2005.
- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics provides a collection of recommended activities on topics such as flight dynamics, rockets, and structural dynamics.
- NASA has activities in PDF with step-by-step instructions for both teachers/volunteers and participating students.
- The American Society of Civil Engineers provides more than 100 civil engineering activities for elementary and middle school children, materials to use in career fairs, and tips for talking to young people about civil engineering.
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers offers low-cost, hands-on mechanical engineering activities and experiments for middle-school students, organized by topic. These activities have been vetted and improved by a panel of teachers and engineers.
- The Society for Petroleum Engineers features a broad set of resources, including lesson plans, activities, games, presentation guides, and videos of energy engineers talking about their jobs.
Each download includes student information, score sheets, and a teacher page.
Be sure to check out the Junk Box Wars Resources section for other project materials.
Super Slingers - Create a device that will launch a bouncy ball at a target to earn points.
Also available ... Super Slingers with Easter Peeps or Super Slingers with Pumpkin Peeps - Students are challenged to create a device that will launch a peep to earn points in three different categories. A powerpoint is available for both versions - Easter Peeps PPT or Pumpkin Peeps PPT - and can be edited for your challenge.
The Weakest Link - Build the longest chain that will hold the most weight.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. I also have a Think About It! worksheet available that was designed specifically for this project.
Super Structures - Create a structure that is capable of supporting a large amount of pennies.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. I also have a worksheet available that explores the Building Big website.
Rocket Rally - Create an air-powered rocket that will travel the greatest distance.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. Visit these sites for ideas for paper rocket projects - Paper Rockets, NASA Paper Rockets, NASA Advanced Paper Rockets, and Paper Rocket Construction. Bottle Blasters - Create a device that will launch a ball to knock over bottles and earn points.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge.
Battle of the Boats - Create a boat that will travel a specified distance in the shortest time.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge.
Zoom Machines - Create a rubber band vehicle that will travel a specified distance in the shortest time.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. Check out the Sefl-Propelled Learning activity from PBS. Other lessons and ideas are available at the Rubber Band Cars page at the Design Squad or Teach Engineering.
Bridge Challenge - Construct a bridge that will allow a vehicle to travel safely across a "canyon".
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge.
Drop Zone - Build a parachute that will help an egg land safely on a target.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge.
Magnificent Marble Maze - Build a marble maze that will result in the longest run time.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. Learn more about Rube Goldberg devices by visiting his website.
Ultimate Gumball Machine - Build a machine that will sort gumballs by size in the shortest amount of time.
Note: A powerpoint for this project is available and it may be edited for your challenge. Check out the Engineer a Coin Sorteractivity on the TeachEngineering website or the Coin Sorter activity on the ZOOM website.
Super Subs - Create a submarine that will sink and come to the surface in the shortest amount of time.
