Teacher/Mentor Institute August 6-7, 2012 The Engineering Process Linda Scott Scott McEwen

Overview Elements of the Engineering Design Process Scott Communications Best Practices Group Dialog Documentation – The Engineering Notebook Linda Page 2August 6-7, 2012

Importance of the Engineering Design Process Proven process for any design/build project Proven process for any design/build project Every team is required to submit an engineering notebook that documents the process to design, build, and test your robot Every team is required to submit an engineering notebook that documents the process to design, build, and test your robot Page 3August 6-7, 2012

Elements of the Engineering Design Process 1. Identify the design objective 2. Determine the design specifications 3. Develop numerous design alternatives 4. Choose the optimal design 5. Build and test the design Ref: Ref: -> Participants -> Contest Information -> Team Resources -> Engineering Topicshttp://best.eng.auburn.edu/ Page 4August 6-7, 2012

1) Identify the Design Objective Read the Rules thoroughly Read the Rules thoroughly Define the Problem Define the Problem Example: Build a robot that will be competitive in the BEST Competition Example: Build a robot that will be competitive in the BEST Competition Page 5August 6-7, 2012

2) Determine the Design Specs Clear guidelines for creating viable designs: Goals Goals Robot should collect many different bugs and place them in all three containment areas Robot should collect many different bugs and place them in all three containment areas Requirements Requirements Must have ability to maneuver obstacles Must have ability to maneuver obstacles Must have ability to grab various bugs Must have ability to grab various bugs Constraints Constraints Must fit in 24 cube and weigh <= 24 lbs Must fit in 24 cube and weigh <= 24 lbs Page 6August 6-7, 2012

3) Develop Numerous Design Alternatives Engineering design = creative process + content knowledge from variety of disciplines Engineering design = creative process + content knowledge from variety of disciplines Brainstorming Brainstorming Multiple Groups of 3-4? 1+ designs/student? Multiple Groups of 3-4? 1+ designs/student? Sketches, notes, logical & physical models Sketches, notes, logical & physical models Scoring Tip: Brainstorming Approaches: How well organized and productive was the brainstorming approach used and documented? Scoring Tip: Brainstorming Approaches: How well organized and productive was the brainstorming approach used and documented? Page 7August 6-7, 2012

4) Choose the Optimal Design Weigh and document pros & cons of each design Weigh and document pros & cons of each design Analysis of gaming strategies and design elements to achieve goals Analysis of gaming strategies and design elements to achieve goals Do we have the tools and skills to build it? Do we have the tools and skills to build it? Scoring Tip: Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives: Use of analytical and mathematical skills in deciding upon and implementing design alternatives Scoring Tip: Analytical Evaluation of Design Alternatives: Use of analytical and mathematical skills in deciding upon and implementing design alternatives Page 8August 6-7, 2012

5) Build and Test the Design Invest adequate time and specificity prior to this step Invest adequate time and specificity prior to this step Revisit prior design steps as needed Revisit prior design steps as needed Scoring Tip: Safety Training *and* safety practices followed Scoring Tip: Safety Training *and* safety practices followed Scoring Tip: Support Documentation Scoring Tip: Support Documentation Drawings, photos, test results, etc. Drawings, photos, test results, etc. Page 9August 6-7, 2012

Communication Best Practices Facilitated dialog about what works Communication mediums Communication mediums Traditional Traditional Social media Social media SCRUM – Daily stand-up meetings SCRUM – Daily stand-up meetings Other Other Resolving disagreements/conflicts Resolving disagreements/conflicts Page 10August 6-7, 2012

Teacher/Mentor Institute August 6-7, 2012 Documentation The Engineering Notebook Linda Scott

Purpose of the Notebook Document the process the team uses to design, build and test the teams robot. Document the process the team uses to design, build and test the teams robot. Tell the story of your robot Tell the story of your robot Documentation is a critical aspect of the Engineering Process. Provides: Documentation is a critical aspect of the Engineering Process. Provides: Crucial record of the process Crucial record of the process Critical info between different groups Critical info between different groups Checklist against requirements Checklist against requirements Essential information for new people Essential information for new people Page 12August 6-7, 2012

Important Dates Engineering Notebooks are due on Practice Day Engineering Notebooks are due on Practice Day Every team MUST submit an Engineering Notebook – NO EXCEPTIONS! Every team MUST submit an Engineering Notebook – NO EXCEPTIONS! If a notebook is not turned in on Practice Day, your team will NOT be able to compete on Game Day If a notebook is not turned in on Practice Day, your team will NOT be able to compete on Game Day Notebooks will be returned on Game Day Notebooks will be returned on Game Day Team Demographics Form MUST be submitted with Engineering Notebook Team Demographics Form MUST be submitted with Engineering Notebook Page 13August 6-7, 2012