Choosing a Topic

Choosing a Topic

• Choosing a Good Topic• What Happens After Brainstorming Topics?• Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic• Brainstorming Review• What Do You Know?• What Do You Love?• Don’t You Hate It When . . .

Design Process

Research and Exploration

Design and Construction Testing, Documentation, and Presentation

Problem Selection Design Specification Testing Criteria & MethodTopic Background Decision Matrix Testing ProcedureProblem Statement Concept Testing Physical TestingStatement of Purpose Design Proposal Record DataCited Validation Gantt Chart (timeline) Critical Design ReviewCited Justification Sketching Refinement Redesign and RefinePast & Present Solutions Technical Drawing Re-testMarket Research Material List Determine ConclusionProblem Proposal Cost Multimedia Display  Tool Selection Web Page  Tool Safety Research Paper  Mock Up & Modeling Electronic Portfolio  Prototype Construction  

Rule of Thirds

Problem Selection

Choosing a Good Topic

– That will keep your interest for the rest of the year.

– That is your idea, not another classmate’s or the instructor’s.

– In which you have a vested interest.

Choose something . . .

Choosing a Good Topic

– That is a valid problem.

– That is a justifiable problem.

– That has the potential to make a difference.

Choose something . . .

Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic

What Do You Know? What Do You Love?

Don’t You Hate It When . . .

©iStockphoto.com

Brainstorming Review

A process undertaken to solve a problem by rapidly generating a variety of possible solutions.

Rules• No criticism allowed

• Work for quantity

• Piling on of ideas welcome

• Free-for-all

What Do You Know?

Brainstorm a list of what you know best or in what areas you have expertise.

– Rank them based on your interest.

– Note some areas that might need improvement or redevelopment related to the items on your list.

What Do You Love?

• Brainstorm some topics that you are passionate about, but in which you may not have expertise.– Rank them based on your interest.– Note some areas that might need

improvement or redevelopment related to the items on your list.

– You might need to conduct further research to learn more about the topic.

Passion-driven

• Brainstorm about situations that are frustrating.– Rank them based on your level of

frustration with each.– You might need to conduct further

research to learn more about the topic.

Don’t You Hate It When . . .

Frustration-

driven

What Happens After Brainstorming Topics?

Step 1 (individual) – Areas of Interest

Step 2 (individual) – Large problems within area(s) of interest

Step 3 (individual/team) – Manageable problem(s) within area of interest

Step 4 (team) – Preliminary research

Step 5 (team) – Validate the problem

Step 6 (team) – Concise problem statement

Design Process

Examples of EDD Projects

Sip and Drip FertigatorSmall Bore Air Rifle Target Changer

A Better CrutchEcco Fridge

Paint Ball Hemet

Examples of EDD Projects

Car Visor Stop Light AssistGarage Door Notification System

Practice Pitch ReturnVisible Toaster

Examples of EDD Projects

Improved Marching Band Music Holder

Portable Basketball System

Utili-ToolSnow Blower Clog Remover

Portion Control CalculatorForearm Workout Device

Examples of EDD Projects

Cross Country Training Ski

Better Garbage DisposalSnowplow-Proof Mail Box

RFDI Tag Controlled Light

Examples of EDD Projects

Boat Hull Cleaner

Temperature Sensing, Self-Regulating Blinds

Automatic Watering System (for indoor plants)

Tubeless Non-Flattening Tire

Hands Free Lighting Device (left) with Circuit

and FDM (fused deposition model)

(above)

Examples of EDD Projects

Touch Screen Order Entry System

Dog Self-Exercising Machine Electrolysis Devices

No Mess Urinal Device

Choosing a Topic

• Choosing a Good Topic• Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic• Brainstorming Review• What Do You Know?• What Do You Love?• Don’t You Hate It When . . .• What Happens After Brainstorming Topics?• Past EDD Projects

Image Resources

Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx

iStockphoto. Retrieved from http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

Dimension Printing. Retrieved from www.dimensionprinting.com

Thanks to EDD teachers who shared images of student prototypes