Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving and the Scientific Method Adapted from: Dr. Mark Henderson - Arizona State University

Properties of a Problem You have all the information It can be solved Probably one correct answer

Engineering Problems Never have all the information It may never have been solved and may not be able to be solved Many solutions So, how do we approach an engineering problem?

Solving Engineering Problems: Science and Art What part is Science? Math, Physical laws ?, ?, … What part is Art? Creativity, Innovation What part of the rocket problem did you use science? Trigonometry, physics, math, aerodynamics What part of the rocket problem did you use art? Previous experience, creativity, judgment, hunches,

Digital Imaging In the 1990’s film cameras dominated the point and shoot camera market. Digital cameras were very expensive (thousands of dollars) and therefore few people had them. But what happened…

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Three Types of Engineering Problems Can CMOS computer chip processes capture images? Are there more effective ways move images to the computer? Are there better ways store images than just in the camera? Hypothesis Testing Analytical Modeling Would you use the same approach to solve each of these problems? Evaluate Alternatives

Three Problem Solving Methods in Engineering Scientific Method Hypothesis Testing What is the solution? Engineering Analysis Analytical Modeling/Optimization Engineering Design Evaluating Alternatives Yes/No Best Conditions What is the answer to these three problems? New Design Concepts

The Air Rocket Problem How would you frame it using: Scientific Method? Engineering Analysis? Engineering Design?

Scientific Method: Define the Problem Be Specific Do digital cameras take better pictures than film cameras? Include ALL relevant solutions and no irrelevant solutions What about movie cameras? What is “better”? Make it testable Is this hypothesis testable?

Write a problem statement. Write a hypothesis. Do Toilets flush clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere? Write a problem statement. Write a hypothesis. Develop a way to test the hypothesis.

Scientific Method: Will a 4 fin or a 3 fin design make my rocket more stable? Define the Problem Write a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Physical Experiments Numerical Experiments Prototype and Test Will a reinforced rocket body enable launch? Answer is Yes/No with some data to prove it.

Engineering Analysis: What is the best body and fin material for rocket stability? Not just Yes/No Examine ALL possibilities You may have multiple criteria Best to create a mathematical model Different approaches may require variations in the model.

Engineering Design: Which rocket structure will provide optimum stability? Not just yes/no Not just a number Requires idea generation of many alternatives An artifact selected from many alternatives Modeling, prototyping, testing Involves more than technology …

Problem Solving Must be Logical and Organized! Define the problem Be Specific Win the competition. Be able to control rocket distance, accuracy, precision and repeatability from the given launcher Create a rocket with predictable accuracy and precision given the launcher and test requirements.

What analysis will you use for your rocket Scientific Method - Hypothesis Engineering Analysis - Optimization Engineering Design - Artifact

Develop a Plan to Solve the Rocket Problem State the problem. List the variables. Is it the rocket shape? Material? Weight? Launcher? Wind? Personnel? Which variables can you control? How can you adjust for the uncontrollable variables? What are you trying to optimize? What is the form of the solution? What is your approach?