http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_design_packing_that_works/design_packing_that_works.xmlactivitytext/xmlK-12 Outreach Office, environmentpackagingshippingengineering design processrecycle

Student teams act as engineers and brainstorm, design, build and test their ideas for packaging to protect a raw egg shipped in a 9 x 12-in envelope. They follow the steps of the engineering design process and aim for a successful solution with no breakage, low weight and recyled/reuse materials. Students come to understand the basics of engineering associated with the packaging of items to preserve, market and safely transport goods.

Good packaging, in terms of minimal damage to the shipped item, is often wasteful and uses excess materials. These materials are also often bulky and can be difficult to recycle. Packaging designers are continually testing and implementing new ideas in order to overcome high cost and recycling issues. Engineers who work in this field include materials engineers, environmental engineers and chemical engineers. Make decisions related to advantages and disadvantages of products and processes.Use resources (people, references, Internet) to gain knowledge.Consider environmental impact on design. 1285TeachEngineering.orgM. Cyr, Worcester Polyltechnic Institute, project funded by Lucent Technologies Foundationhttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_design_packing_that_works/worksheet_a.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_design_packing_that_works/worksheet_a.pdfhttp://environment.about.com/od/earthtalkcolumns/a/digitalmusic.htmhttp://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPW/Coordinator/Articles/ShipPack.htm#02cS10047AAMassachusettsScience2.1 Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage, or convenience.35S100EBE2MassachusettsScience2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem.35United StatesCopyright 2012 - K-12 Outreach Office, Worcester Polytechnic Institutehttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-11-153Teacher