http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_chair_design/chair_design.xmlactivitytext/xmlCenter for Engineering Educational Outreach, chairdesignengineering design processhuman factorsprototypeseating prototypehuman factors

Students become familiar with the engineering design process as they design, build and test chair prototypes. The miniature chairs must be sturdy and functional enough to hold a wooden, hinged artist model or a floppy stuffed animal. They use their prototypes to assess design strengths and weaknesses.

Engineers build prototypes for their creations before starting actual production. Prototypes enable engineers to assess design strengths and weaknesses through testing and so they can redesign to achieve successful end products. Describe and follow the steps of the engineering design process.Assess prototypes for strengths and weaknesses.6210TeachEngineering.orgAndrew AframErica WilsonElissa Miltohttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_chair_design/chair_design.pdfhttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_chair_design/chair_journal.pdfS1012153MassachusettsScience2.1 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process, i.e., identify the need or problem, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype, test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign.68S1009558MassachusettsScience2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.68S1011180MassachusettsScience2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype.68S1010C69MassachusettsScience2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.68United StatesCopyright 2012 - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-11-287Teacher