1. Engineering Design Process
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

2. The Unit Big Idea
The Engineering Design Process is a systematic, iterative problem solving method which produces solutions to meet human wants and desires.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

3. The Lesson Big Idea
The Engineering Design Process is a systematic, iterative problem solving method which produces solutions to meet human wants and desires.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

4. Engineering Design Process
Scientific Method vs.
Engineering Design Process
Place the descriptors in the appropriate box to define the Scientific Method and the Engineering Design Process
Human needs and wants Hypothesis
Exact starting point Closed ended
Continuous improvement Identify constraints
Design Defined linear procedure
Scientific Method
Engineering Design Process
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

5. Engineering Design Process
Answers to the previous task. How did you do?
Scientific Method
Engineering Design Process
Exact starting point
Hypothesis
Closed ended
Defined Linear Procedure
Human needs and wants
Continuous improvement
Design
Identify Constraints
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

6. Engineering Design Process
There are a variety of formal and informal problem-solving strategies and models beyond the Scientific Method and the Engineering Design Process
The process of engineering design takes into account a number of factors.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

7. What is Science?
Science is the study of the history of the natural world and how the natural world works, based on observable physical evidence.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

8. Scientific Method Processes of discovery and demonstration
Observation of phenomena
Formulation of a hypothesis
Experimentation
Conclusion
Steps of the scientific method
Name the problem or question
Form a hypothesis and make a prediction
Test hypothesis
Interpret your results/hypothesis
Report your results
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

9. What is Engineering Design?
Systematic application of mathematical, scientific and technical principles
Tangible end products that meet our needs and desires.
The process of engineering
design takes into account a
number of factors.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

10. Engineering Design Process
Is a systematic, iterative, problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to a problem to satisfy human needs and wants.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

11. Engineering Design Process Steps 12. Communicate Results
1. Define a Problem
2. Brainstorm Possible Solutions
11. Refine/Create
10. Test & Evaluate
3. Generate ideas
9. Make Model/
Prototype
4. Research Ideas & Explore Possibilities
8. Develop Written Design Proposal
5. Specify Criteria & Identify Constraints
7. Select an Approach
6. Consider Alternative Solutions
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

12. Define the Problem
Designer clearly outlines what human need or want exists to solve the problem.
Often design problems are not clearly defined. Designers may have to investigate to define the problem.
For example, a company might call you in and ask you to solve the problem of the company losing money
Determine why the company is losing money
What problem needs fixing
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

13. Brainstorm
Designers generate ideas without consideration of limitations to the design.
Brainstorming is a group or individual problem-solving design process in which each person in the group presents his or her ideas in an open forum.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

14. Generate Ideas
This is a step where designers can let their imaginations run free with suggestions from the brainstorming session.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

15. Explore Possibilities
Research Ideas &
Explore Possibilities
Research to determine if a solution to the problem already exists
Can another solution/product be adapted to solve the problem
Is there mathematical or scientific information related to the problem that needs to be collected through research?
Designers begin to explore the possibilities generated during the brainstorming session and the research gathered.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

16. Identify Criteria & Specify Constraints
Identifying criteria and specifying constraints will provide the basis for what the design should be and what its limits are.
Criteria identify the desired elements and features
Constraints involve the limitations
The possibilities are measured
up against the defined criteria
and constraints.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

17. Consider Alternative Solutions
Other solutions could work just as well as the one selected by the designer.
Other solutions might be simpler or less expensive and therefore more desirable.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

18. Select an Approach
Based on the analysis, the designer chooses the solution that best meets the criteria and constraints.
The selection of an approach is closely documented.
In the event that the solution
does not work, the designer may
need to repeat steps
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

19. Develop a Written Design Proposal
A design proposal is a written plan that specifies what the design will look like and what resources are needed to develop it.
It can be communicated through sketches, drawings, models and written instructions.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

20. Make a Model Or Prototype
Models allow designers to make a smaller version to save time and money
Physical, mathematical, graphic models are used
A prototype performs exactly as the final solution and is used for testing.
A mock up physically looks like the
final solution, but does not
perform as the final solution.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

21. Test & Evaluate the Design Using Specifications
Models and/or prototypes are tested
Does design meets established criteria
What areas need refinement
Data is collected from testing to assist in the next step.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

22. Refine/Create the Design
Based on the evaluation and testing results, designers refine the design of the product.
Refinement and optimization include
Function (making it work better)
Economic (giving it market appeal)
Ethical (making it safer)
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

23. Refine/Create the Design
The product is then mass produced to be sold to the target market.
Designers and Engineers work together to design a cost effective and time efficient process for producing the product.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™

24. Communicate the Results
Designers need to communicate their results to perpetuate innovation and so others with similar problems can learn from their design process.
Communication of the design process can include design portfolios, journals, drawings, sketches or schematics.
© 2011 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association,
STEMCenter for Teaching and Learning™
Foundations of Technology
©International Technology Education Association
Center to Advance the Teaching of Technology & Science
Engineering byDesign™