Design Steps 5 and 6: Create and Test a Prototype
Students learn about the importance of creating and testing prototypes during the engineering design process. They start by building prototypes, which is a special type of model used to test new design ideas. Students gain experience using a variety of simple building materials, such as foam core board, balsa wood, cardstock and hot glue. They present their prototypes to the class for user testing and in the following activity create prototype iterations based on feedback. (Note: Conduct this activity in the context of a design project that students are working on; this activity reflects Step 5 and Step 6 in a series of seven steps that guide students through the engineering design loop.)
The purpose of creating prototypes is to test out new design ideas. In this case, can this student-made prosthetic roll dice?
Prototypes are routinely used as part of the product design process to give engineers and designers the ability to explore design alternatives, test theories and confirm performance prior to starting production of a new product. Almost every engineering discipline uses prototypes in some way, including aerospace, computer, mechanical, civil, environmental and electrical engineering.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explore design alternatives through the creation and testing of prototypes.
- Explain the difference between prototypes and models.
- Compare and contrast the use of different construction materials in the development of prototypes.