GRAB IT!

Think Tank Time

• How might engineers use technology in their work?

• Write your answer on an index card.

DAY 1

Can you identify the steps of the engineering design process in this

Engineering Design Process

VIDEO

Grabbers/Levers

Assistive Devices

As you watch the video, think about the role that technology plays in engineering.

Technology & Communication

What types of technology could your team use to communicate with the electrical engineering team?

• solve practical problems.

Criteria & Constraints

Criteria--Device must:• Grasp the object• Move the object • Lift the object from the floor to the table• The ratio of “forearm” length to “hand” length is

approximately 1.6:1

Constraints—Device must:• Be built from only the materials provided• Be able to grasp and lift at least one object

Grabbers/Levers

Human Levers?A human arm is a lever. The elbow is a hinge for the long bones of the arm

How can that motion help when you pick something up?

Muscles Move the Bones

What are two arm muscles that play a role in raising and lowering the arm? Think of how might you raise and lower an artificial device.

The Right Ratio• Nature has always been

admired for its patterns and symmetry.

• In particular the ratio of 1.6:1 is known as the Golden Ratio and is seen repeatedly throughout the natural world.

• The ratio of the lengths of the human forearm to the hand is one example of the Golden Ratio.

How do you measure up?

• Work with your team to measure and calculate each team member’s forearm length to hand length ratio.

• Record the data and use it to help make decisions about your prototype design.

Think Tank Time1. List the steps of the engineering design

process (EDP) your team has completed.

2. Write what your team did for each step.

3. Which step will your team be working on next?

Write your answer on an index card.

DAY 2

Criteria & Constraints

Criteria--Device must:• Grasp the object• Move the object • Lift the object from the floor to the table• The ratio of “forearm” length to “hand” length is

approximately 1.6:1

Constraints—Device must:• Be built from only the materials provided• Be able to grasp and lift at least one object

Think Tank Time

Think about the mechanical device you built on Day 2……

• Did your prototype work the way you wanted it to?

• What improvements could you make?

• Write your answer on an index card.

DAY 3

Criteria & Constraints

Criteria--Device must:• Grasp the object• Move the object • Lift the object from the floor to the table• The ratio of “forearm” length to “hand” length is

approximately 1.6:1

Constraints—Device must:• Be built from only the materials provided• Be able to grasp and lift at least one object