The Engineering Design Process

Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems.

There are EIGHT (8) steps: STATE THE PROBLEM BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS CHOOSE THE BEST SOLUTION DESIGN BUILD TEST #1 IMPROVE TEST #2

EXAMPLE State the problem: Build a downhill “Frankenstein” car that fits on the Hot Wheels track in the Tech Lab and is faster than everyone else’s. Any solid material may be used. Any number of wheels may be used. 18” is the maximum length.

2. Brainstorm Ideas You can draw pictures, make a list, or just write down whatever comes to mind here. Banana car. Empty shoe filled with weight. Ruler.

3. Best Idea A banana car! Why? This shape is aerodynamic, funny, and will fit on the track. Use wheels from Jake’s Pinewood Derby car.

4. DESIGN - Draw on paper or 3D Design on computer

5. Build Here you write down a few things about the build. Any problems? Changes? What steps did you take?

6. Test #1! (Fly, race, launch, etc.) Describe how your project performed. How did you finish? What grade did you get? TEST #1: Our banana car took 3rd place (A-). It should do better if we sand the body more or add weight to the back.

7. IMPROVE!

8. TEST #2! Describe how your project performed. How did you finish? What grade did you get? TEST #2: After sanding the body some and adding weight to the back of the car, AND using WD40 on the axles, we took 1ST place (A+)