Solving Everyday Problems Using the Engineering Design Cycle
Students are introduced to two real-life problems that can be solved by using the engineering design process. For the first one, they follow along with a slide presentation that describes how a group of students built an organizer to help organize their teacher’s desk. The presentation introduces students to the key steps in the engineering design process. Next, in discussion groups, they read through a scenario in which middle school student Marisol struggles to keep their locker organized. They read the case study together, stopping and discussing at key points to share ideas and consider Marisol’s progress as they moves through the engineering design cycle to design and implement a solution. As an optional hands-on activity extension, students construct their own locker organizer using scrap materials. This introduction to the engineering design process sets up students to be able to conduct their own real-world design projects. A case study handout, group leader discussion sheet and slide presentation are provided.
The engineering design cycle can help engineers (and students!) solve many problems, including organizing a messy desk!Copyright 2016 Christina M. Sias, Utah State University
This activity introduces students to the steps of the engineering design process. Engineers use the engineering design process when brainstorming solutions to real-life problems; they develop these solutions by testing and redesigning prototypes that work within given constraints. For example, biomedical engineers who design new pacemakers are challenged to create devices that help to control the heart while being small enough to enable patients to move around in their daily lives.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain the stages/steps of the engineering design process.
- Identify the engineering design process steps in a case study of a design/build example solution.
- Determine whether a design solution meets the project criteria and constraints.
- Think of daily life situations/problems that could be improved.
- Apply the engineering design process steps to develop their own innovations to real-life problems.
- Apply the engineering design cycle steps to future engineering assignments.