Clean, Green Washing Machine Challenge
In this activity, students learn about the engineering design process and use it to solve a design problem involving detergent and dirty clothes. The problem presented is a spot on a favorite shirt while on a camping trip. Students move through the engineering design process, as they design, build, and test a prototype of a portable washing machine.
Students test out a design for their enzymatic washing machine.Copyright 2020 Kristine Bour, University of Florida MRET
Mechanical and chemical engineers develop solutions to real-world problems using their knowledge of physical science. The problems that engineers solve can take a variety of forms. Even something as simple as a spot on a shirt can be an opportunity to engineer a solution. Engineers can use the concepts of motion and force to create a machine that removes laundry stains.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define a problem that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- List the steps of the engineering design process (ask, research, imagine, plan, create, test, improve).
- Use the steps of the Engineering Process to imagine, plan, create, test and improve a prototype to solve a problem.