Welcome to Smith College

This Mornings Team:

Gemma Regan-MochrieVirginia Diaz, Leen Hayek & Cameah Wood

The Plan…

* A quick review of the engineering design process (10 min.)

* Engineering design activity- Pasta Towers (45min.)

Today we will explore what engineers do and use the process

they use to design things that make the world a better place

What do Engineers Do?

They make “stuff” better- Innovate◦Compare the telephone or car of your

grandparents to today’s phone or car

They Invent new products◦Cell Phones, personal computers, X

box, the Mars lunar lander & battery powered tools were not around when Tom was your age

All of our “Stuff” is Designed & Engineered

Step 1

Identify the Need or Problem

Step 2Research the Need

or Problem

Step 3

Develop Possible Solution(s)

Step 4Select the Best

Possible Solution(s)

Step 5Construct a Prototype

Step 6Test and Evaluate

the Solution(s)

Step 7Communicate the

Solution(s)

Step 8Redesign

The Engineering Design ProcessA flexible structure used by engineers to guide them through problem

solvingFrom the state of Massachusetts… there are others!!!

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Today

Step 1: Define the Problem

Step 2: Research• Only 20 noodles and 20 mini marshmallows

• Think about things you have seen• MUST sketch three designs (no

materials until you have 3 drawings)• Tower must hold a large marshmallow

for 1 min.• It must be “free standing”• You can not wet the pasta or

marshmallows• Tallest tower wins!!!

Geometric Shapes• Triangles – extremely strong• Conjoined cylinders – extremely strong• Squares – not as strong but triangular braces can

strengthen

Strong Base• A solid base will support a taller tower• Triangles and conjoined cylinders make the

strongest bases• Triangular prisms are the best bases• Extra braces make stronger basesEqual Lengths• Length is important• Spaghetti pieces of the same lengths are stronger

than those of different lengths• Different length with make the tower bend and

twistTension and Compression (Pulling and Pushing)• Marshmallows squeeze well but will break if pulled

too far apart• Run spaghetti all the way through to avoid

slippage• Spaghetti breaks easily• Shorter pieces at the bottom will help avoid

breakage

Some Things to Think About

Step 3 & 4: Design &

Pick

Step 5 & 6: Build & Test

Step 7: Refine

Step 8: Tell us about it

A Quick Review- Our Plan Today:

Think about the materials & problem Make Plans and Pick One to

Build

Build and Test Have Fun!!!Redesign to Improve

Have fun…

…but first… groups of 2 or 3

Planning… draw at least three possible plans. You have 10 minutes

Building… build your first tower. Try to have one built in 20 minutes.

Redesign or Improve… keep redesigning and building as time allows

Keep your worksheet up to date… draw your improvements as you go

Share your work…tell us about your design, what worked, what did not,

what you learned and what you would do next if you had more time