Engineering Design ProcessEngineering Design Process

Insert Engineering Design Process Diagram

Traditional Student Experiences in Classroom Traditional Student Experiences in Classroom Engineering Design ProjectEngineering Design Project

Learn about all aspects of the design processFabricate their solutions, usually with sub-par materials (poster board, cardboard, tape, etc).Hands-on experience.Working in groups.

Real World Engineering Product Development Real World Engineering Product Development ProcessProcess

Multidisciplinary team members perform various roles, each contributing their unique strengths to a project.All team members work together to find the best possible solution, i.e. meets requirements AND can be fabricated (at lowest possible cost).Team members learn to work with individuals whose focus (and area of expertise) is different from their own.All aspects (design requirements) of a project are considered: Materials, cost, product requirements, time to build, etc.

Real World Product Development Project in the Real World Product Development Project in the ClassroomClassroom

All students involved: learn about all aspects of the design process, get hands-on experience, contribute from their “area of expertise”.

Multi-(classroom)-disciplinary teams work together to create the best solution, using real materials (woods, plastics, metals, ceramics).All aspects of a project are considered, including organizational logistics.

Implementation: Marine Biology Experimental Project

Examine the effects of constantly loading a snail shell with a given mass. How does the added weight affect the growth of the shell?Requires a test aparatus to hold a weight on the snail shells.Assign students to design a test aparatus, using the Engineering Design Process.Deliver design drawings to shop/ceramic classes for design review and fabrication.Students then use their designs to conduct their experiment.

Marine Biology Classroom

Design a test aparatus, using the Engineering Design Process.Deliver design drawings to shop/ceramic classes for design review and fabrication.Students then use their designs to conduct their experiment.

Wood/Metal/Ceramics Classrooms

Students review design drawings, and give feedback to “designers”.Create improved design drawings, if necessary.Fabricate prototype parts (or designs) to be assembled in the lab.

Issues/Considerations

All teachers and classrooms need to be involved and excited from the start of the project. A coordinator is required. This may be a role that could filled by 1 (or more) student “managers”/liasons that keep the work and communication flowing. What do you think???

Activity: Importance of Drawings

Students need to realize the important role of design drawings (rather than just the written word) in a design project. The Basics: Half of the student groups receive pictorial LEGO assembly instructions, while the other half receive a written set of assembly instructions. Can you guess which group had which instructions?

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