1. National Engineering Design Challenge (NEDC)
Mesa National event
Human centered design
Arduino Based solutions
Adapted from the presentation
by Carlos Gonzalez, UCR Mesa
By James Mills, CSULB MeSA, 2017

2. Agenda: MESA Curriculum shift NEDC Project Overview
Project in new paradigm
Advisor perspective
Open ended activity demo
Final thoughts: Q & A

3. Project Centered MESA Paradigm
Project Rules and Constraints
Device designed and created to meet constraints
Current:
Rules and Constraints
Predetermined product
Final product judged against specific performance goals
Device performs at competition
Evaluation based on defined metrics

4. Paradigm Shift MESA Curriculum
Guidelines and Component Requirements
Student defined parameters
Current:
Rules and Constraints
Predetermined product
Final product judged against specific performance goals
New Paradigm:
Guidelines and Component Requirements
Students determine product, constraints, and goals
Device performance assessed by component
More emphasis on general engineering skills: design process, record keeping, presentation
Allows students to pursue personal interests
Device performs per student parameters
Performance assessed by component rubrics

5. That’s all it says!
Reads like “guidelines” not “rules” in the traditional sense.

6. NEDC Components Poster Symposium
Poster Symposium & Technical Interview
150 points
Project Report
100 points
Prototype Pitch
Total
350 points
NEDC Components
Poster Symposium
Prepare Technical Poster
Symposium Setting:
Share and discuss project with event attendees
Technical Interview and Prototype Demo
Interview by a panel of judges
Demonstrate the functionality of the prototype
Project Report
5 – 10 pages: “Thorough but concise”
Design Process and Results
Prototype Pitch
“Shark Tank” or marketing/sales type presentation
Creative, convincing, and memorable
Technical Interview with Poster:
5 min. to present summary of project
3 to 5 min. to demo prototype
10 to 12 min. for judges questions
Total time not to exceed 20 min.
Prototype Pitch
20 min. !?

7. Paradigm Shift Reflected in NEDC
New Paradigm Emphases
General Engineering Skills
Design Process and Product Development
Evaluating the Problem
Engineering Notebook and Portfolio
Data Collection and Evaluation of Prototype
Communicating Ideas
Technical Writing
Graphic Representations
Presentation
Professional Skills
Project Planning and Deadlines
Teamwork and Collaboration
Perseverance
General Skills that can be used on any project.
Professional skills that apply in any profession
Soft Skills encouraged by industry

8. Paradigm Shift MESA Curriculum
New Paradigm Emphases
Unique and Distinct Projects: Genuine Problem Solving, Creativity, and Ingenuity
Human Centered Design / Service Focus: Develop compassionate, aware students
Things to Consider
No more common designs from previous year
Disqualifications are no longer an issue
Written report is more concise (shorter)
Opportunity for students to pursue their own interests
Project used in many venues and situations
Local or National Science Fair
College/Internship Resumes
May not be suitable for students new to engineering
Resilience and Persistence Required
New:
Genuine Creativity and Uniqueness: product not predetermined
No need to “think outside the box” when there is no box
Comparison Tasks vs Other Teams (old):
Make very specific world connections (planes, bridges, etc.)
Little direct relevance beyond the challenge they were built for

9. Open-Ended Challenge 15 min. Why are we doing this?
Constrains are guidance
Students struggle with minimal limits

10. Observations:
What were your impressions of the open-ended nature of this challenge?
How do you think students will respond to this?
How do you plan to support students with a project like this?