Invention and InnovationUnit #4

Mrs. Mattson

Carl Ben Eielson Middle School

ETP 2006—Tanya MattsonThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Unit #4 – Engineering Design

Information for this presentation was taken from the CATTS curriculum Unit #1 and

Valley City State University Unit #1 readings, unless otherwise noted.

Engineering

The formalized process through which technology comes about.

The profession devoted to designing, constructing, and operating the structures, machines, and other devices of industry and everyday life. (encyclopedia.com)

Technological Literacy

Briefly defined as the ability to use, manage, assess and understand technology.

Engineering Design

Design involves a set of steps, which can be performed in different sequences and repeated as needed.

Each design problem is unique and may require different procedures or demand that the steps be performed in a different sequence.

Engineers and designers also have their preferences and problem-solving styles and may choose to approach the design process in different ways.

Engineering Method

1. Identify the problem.2. Define or “refine” the problem.3. Gather information4. Develop alternate solutions5. Select and refine the best solution6. Express the design solution7. Build a model or prototype of the solution8. Evaluate, revise, and refine the solution9. Communicate the solution

Engineering Design

Engineering design is a multi-step process that is often referred to as the conceptual design process.

Conceptual Design

An emphasis on engineering science including math, physics, and chemistry.

The multi-step process. This multi step process involves

modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying to develop practical solutions.

The generation of a concept.• Concept:

• A general idea derived or inferred from specific instances or occurrences.

• Something formed in the mind; a thought or notion; an idea.

• A scheme; a plan.

Analytical Design

The increased emphasis on mathematics in the design process.

Skill with many of these mathematical and modeling tools can sometimes eliminate the need for laborious and expensive prototyping exercises which are often trial and error.

Analyze: To examine methodically by step

Analytic design does not replace conceptual design; it merely emphasizes use of mathematical modeling over physical modeling and prototyping.

It may also de-emphasize other steps in the process.

Who are Engineers?

They are practical people They admire great problem solvers like

Edison They see themselves as the problem

solvers for human kind They are motivated by the same factors

as ordinary people• Cars, bonuses, raises, etc.

Engineers are obsessed with efficiency Technically, efficiency is output divided

by input Engineers are also driven to create labor

saving systems. They often get so absorbed in their work

that they can fail to carefully examine the social aspects of their work.

Engineers are the “movers and shakers” in our society.

They are the people responsible for technological advancement.

What is Engineering?

Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use

and convenience of man.

(Ferguson, 1994, p.1)

The engineering method is the use of heuristics to cause the best change in a poorly understood situation within the

available resources.

(Smith, 2004, p. 70)

What is a heuristic?

Anything that provides a plausible aid or direction in the solution of a problem.

It is unjustified, incapable of justification, and fallible.

It is used to guide, discover, and to reveal.

Problem Solving Vs.

Engineering Design

In Engineering Design, a multi-step process is evident.

Technological problem solving is something we all do everyday, from getting our car started to getting a driver installed on our computer.

Brainstorming

Is a group problem solving design process in which each person in the group presents his or her ideas in an open forum.

No person is allowed to criticize anyone else’s ideas regardless of how inane they may seem.

After all the ideas are recorded, the group selects the best ones, and then further develops them.

Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.

Historically, this process has centered on creating and testing physical models.

Models are especially important for the design of large items, such as cars, spacecraft, and airplanes because it is cheaper to analyze a model before the final products and systems are actually made.

Types of Engineering

Biomedical Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering/Computer

Science Mechanical Engineering

Standards and Benchmarks:

9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.• 9F: Design involves a set of steps, which can

be performed in different sequences and repeated as necessary.

• 9G: Brainstorming is a group problem-solving design process in which each person in the group presents his or her ideas in open forum.