The Engineering Design Process
We will be using the Engineering Design Process (EDP) a LOT this year. Be very familiar with it:
After stating the problem...
Example:
Problem: Build the best paper rocket.
After stating the problem...
- Ask - ask questions to better understand the problem. Ask about limitations (time, materials, etc.). Ask about the parameters (what exactly is the goal?) Get answers to these questions (conduct research as needed). If you are doing this correctly, you should have at least 5 questions.
- Image - brainstorm ALL ideas. No idea is a bad idea (provided it follows the limitations stated in the "ask" phase). If you are doing this correctly, you should have several possible solutions, not just 1 or 2.
- Plan - choose one idea to pursue. Make a step-by-step plan of what to do. Decide who will do what job.
- Create - follow your plan! (This may not necessarily mean you build something.)
- Test - test your plan! As you test, write down observations (qualitative and quantitative). Make notes on how well it addresses the original problem.
- Improve - What went wrong? What went well? Repeat the EDP as you ask why things worked the way they did or didn't!
Example:
Problem: Build the best paper rocket.
- Ask: How much time do we have to build the rocket? How much paper do we get? What kind of paper do we get? Do we get other materials (i.e. tape)? If so, how much? What does "best" mean (best looking, furthest distance, highest distance, etc.)? How will it be launched?
- Imagine: Short vs long nose cone, short vs long body, 0-3 fins, etc.
- Plan: We will first test body length while using a short nose cone and without fins. We will make 3 rockets that are identical except for the different body lengths (1/2 ft, 1 ft, 1.5 ft, 2 ft). Bob will roll the body of the rocket, Billy will make the nose cones, and Sally will connect the two components.
- Create: Make the rockets!
- Test: The rocket that was 1 ft long flew the furthest and it was a smooth flight. The 1.5 ft rocket was pretty close in distance and it was wobbly. The other rockets only went about half as far as the 1.5 rocket.
- Improve/Ask: Why did the 1.5 ft rocket wobble? Can we fix that with fins or a different nose cone? Can the 1.5 ft rocket fly farther than the 1 ft one if it flies more smoothly?
EDP Monthly Assignment
At the end of each month, students are to email a summary of your EDP to Mrs. McKeon ([email protected]). Your assignment must describe how you used the EDP to help improve some area of your life (you may not use a project from STEM class or Robotics). You should describe each step of the EDP and what you did for it (the clearer you make this, the easier it will be to grade. Feel free to blatantly state how you are following each step). Your assignment must be emailed by 11:59pm on the last day of the month. Students may submit earlier during the month if they would like.