After a long year of designing, programming, building, and thinking, we finally get to put it all together as you work to solve a real world problem. In this unit, you’ll start by defining a small real-world problem that you deal with on a regular basis. Good problems are problems that:
- Is something that annoys you on a regular basis
- Is something small in scale (for now)
- Is something that can reasonably be addressed with the tools we have available
You’ll have the freedom to choose your own problem, design a solution, and build a simple prototype to address the problem. As always, we’ll finish the project by sharing our work with others. As we tackle our problems, we’ll follow the usual process:
- STEP 1: Define a problem – including criteria and constraints – and then research and brainstorm possible solutions!
- STEP 2: Pick the solution you think you want to build and make a careful concept sketch of what it will look like. Include labels and a materials list.
- STEP 3: Build it! Use the tools you need to build your prototype. Finally, we’ll share our work with the class at our last engineering roundtable.
When you’re done, you will have followed the Engineering Design Process one last time to solve a problem!
We know the Engineering Design Process well. This part begins with the selection of a real-world problem. You can look through the list of example problems if you need help coming up with ideas. Once you’ve selected a problem, complete your design brief in your engineering notebook. Take some time to research solutions online, and then brainstorm at least 20 ideas of possible solutions!
GRADING & PROCESS
Choose a real-world problem you deal with
Write a complete design brief in your engineering notebook
Research & Brainstorm at least 20 ideas that might solve the problem
Have Mr. Benshoof approve your design brief
Once you’ve got a list of possible solutions, it’s time to narrow down the ideas to what you really want to build. Combine your ideas into one reasonable solution and draw a careful concept sketch. Be sure to include labels and dimensions in your drawing. Make a materials list and a plan for how you will build it before getting Mr. Benshoof’s approval.
GRADING & PROCESS
Decide what your prototyped solution is going to be.
Draw a careful concept sketch including dimensions and labels.
Make a materials list and a plan for how you are going to build your prototype.
Have Mr. Benshoof approve your plan.Follow your plan and build your prototype!
Now it’s time to get building. Use the tools that you need to build a prototype of your solution! Work diligently, but carefully to get your prototype complete and working by the unit deadline. We’ll then spend a day in our engineering roundtable sharing our work with our classmates.
GRADING & PROCESS
Build your prototype!
Document your process and your feedback in the engineering roundtable
Have Mr. Benshoof check-off your completed project
Part 1 Resources
Part 2 Resources
Part 3 Resources