engineering design workshop quality design projects for science & engineering fairs sponsored by...
TRANSCRIPT
Engineering Design Workshop
Quality Design Projectsfor Science & Engineering Fairs
Sponsored by Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair Association &
Silicon Valley Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology Alliance
February 2, 2004
for educators
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Purpose
“…help teachers guide students through the engineering design
process.”
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Outline
• Issues and objectives
• Science fair guidelines
• Nature of science and engineering
• Highlight scientific method
• Engineering design process dissected
• Summary
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
The Issues
“Our engineering projects keep showing up with a hypothesis, and are not always
tested by the intended user.”
“We are increasing the emphasis on project quality and use of the scientific/engineering
method.”
“Judges do not … value engineering projects.”
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Problem Statement
• Teachers cannot guide students through unfamiliar engineering processes
• Students are not following steps, specifically not testing with end user in mind
• Judges do not value the engineering process. They want to see a hypothesis and…
• Do not see the relationships between science and engineering
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Workshop Objectives
Teachers will be able to…
• Explain the salient elements of the engineering design process
• Guide students through creative projects
• Promote overall quality improvement for all science and engineering fair projects
Value engineering projects
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Scope: Not Deeply Covered
• All the rules!
• Merit of alternative processes and methods
• Generating creativity and curiosity
• Research sources and methods
• Report writing
• Display building
• Safety Requirements
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Science Fair Guidelines
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Science Fair Guidelines
• SCVSEFA Handbook 2004 (Blue Copy)
• Tri-fold Application
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair www.
• On line guidelines www.science-fair.org
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
ISEF Project Definitions
Engineering and TechnologyProjects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses--civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating, transportation, environmental engineering, etc.
Computer ScienceStudy and development of computer hardware, software engineering, internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding and information theory).
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Judging Guidelines
• Engineering Goals
• Creative Ability
• Thoroughness
• Skill
• Clarity
• Teamwork (opt)
source [email protected]
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Engineering Judging Guide
• Clear Objective relevant to potential users’ needs?• Solution workable, acceptable to user,
economically feasible• Solution can be used for design or construction of
end product • Improvement over previous alternatives• Tested for performance under conditions of use
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Relationships Among…
• Science project
• Science inquiry
• Engineering analysis
• Engineering design
• Product Testing
• Demonstration
• Kit building
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Project Quality• “Engineering projects do not have hypothesis, but
they have design criteria that can be stated, tested, and improved.
• “Product testing projects will not be accepted from grades 10-12. Such projects do not teach the scientific method….
• “No demonstration projects will be accepted.”• Caution on kit building
Source scvesfa handbook p 9 and available on www.science-fair,org
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Selected References
• Painless Science Projects by Brynie
• SCVSEFA guidelines brochures
• Web sites (following chart shows local site)
• Process sheet (in folder)
• Workshop handouts
• Workshop CD
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Engineering and Science
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Purpose and Nature
• Science is the search for knowledge and understanding
• Technology is the application of knowledge to satisfy human needs
They are both creative problem solving methods!
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Engineering is...
“… the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind." (ABET)
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Processes Compared
Scientific Method
Engineering Design
Process
Why? Knowledge
Need Thing
Specification
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The Rest of Engineering
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Real Life is Hard
• The distinctions among science and engineering and technology are often arbitrary
• Engineering design, product testing, engineering analysis, scientific method are all creative, problem solving processes
• However, science fair rules are rules… • Consider them “company practices”
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Engineering Design Process Description
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Engineering Design Defined
The crux of the design process is creating a satisfactory solution to a need Harrisberger
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The Engineering Design Process?
Customer Needor Opportunity
Implementation ofOptimal Design
Evaluation of Designs/Selection of Optimal Design
Development ofAlternative Designs
Data & InformationCollection
Problem Definition/Specifications
Source: Accrediting Board For Engineering and Technology
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
SCVSEFA Engineering Process
• Observe the world, define a need, problem• What has been done?• Choose an idea• How will you evaluate; list design criteria• Prepare initial design• Draw diagram and label parts• Build & test prototype using design criteria• Redesign and retest as necessary• Prepare tech exhibit and paper
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
ISEF Engineering Design
• Define a need
• Develop design criteria
• Search literature to see what has been done
• Prepare preliminary designs
• Build and test a prototype
• Redesign and retest as necessary
Source: http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document/index
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Processes in General
• Many processes, little consensus
• Differ more in terminology than substance
• Creative types deny they follow rules
• Circular representations say start anywhere
• Straight line ones say from the top
• When in doubt, pick fewer steps!
Understand the salient features!
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient Feature Defined
• The essence of…
• Common to most accepted practices
• Differentiable from science experiments
• Cited in Fair project rules
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient Design Features
1. Meets a need, has a “customer”
2. Design criteria and constraints
3. Evaluate alternatives (systems or components)
4. Build prototype (figuratively)
5. Test/evaluate against test plans (criteria)
6. Analyze, “tweak” (), redesign (), retest
7. Project book: record, analyses, decisions, specs
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Dissecting the Engineering Design
Process
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Salient #1 Need
• Have a need, have a customer• External vs internal; Implied vs explicit• Often stated as functional requirement • Often stated as bigger, cheaper, faster, lighter• Boilerplate purpose: The design and construction
of a (better____something)_____ for (kids, manufacturing, medicine) to do __________.
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient #2: Criteria & Constraints
“Design criteria are requirements you specify for your design that will be used to make decisions about how to build the product”
Aesthetics
Geometry
Physical Features
Performance
Inputs-Outputs
Use Environment
Usability
Reliability
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Some Design Constraints
• Cost
• Time
• Knowledge
• Legal, ethical
• Physical: size, weight, power, durability
• Natural, topography, climate, resources
• Company practices
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activity/Demonstration
• Product index cards
• Pair up as customer-designer
• Variation on 20 questions
• Identify some design criteria and constraints for sample products
• Discuss
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient #3: Evaluate Alternatives
• Needs best stated as function, not form• Likely to find good alternatives for
cheapest, fastest, lightest, and encourage discovery
• Research should reveal what has been done• Improve on what has been done• Play alternatives off criteria and constraints• Brainstorming helps
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Simulation
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Best Design
• Choose best design that meets criteria
• Demonstrate tradeoff analyses (among criteria and constraints) is high quality
• Cost (lifecycle) is always consideration
• Resist overbuilding; drives complexity, cost, time, resources
A quality design meets customers expectations!
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient #4: Prototype
• Prototype is implementation of chosen design alternative
• It is a proof of design, production and suitability
• Prototypes are often cost prohibitive: Models and simulations may suffice
• Quality design does not include redesigning a lot of prototypes
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Prototype
Prototype
picture of 747
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Salient #5: Test it Well
• Test and optimize design against constraints and customer expectations.
• Create a test plan showing how to test• Test in the conditions of use• Good test plan shows what test, expected
results how to test, and what analyses will be. It relates to specification requirements
• E.g test plan for lightbulb (activity)
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activity: Light Bulb Test
Base fit-yes/no-first article demo
Brightness-lumens-measure
Life-hours-statistical sample
Packaging-drop test-do last
Robustness-vibration, temperature-test
article
Duty cycle-count on/off-prototype
Production assembly-time-demonstration
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient #6: Test and Redesign
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Test Results
Successful Test: Satisfying
Test Failure: Priceless
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Salient #7: Project book
• Project data bookA complete record
All key decisions
Good drawings
Test plans
Results
Conclusions
Things learned
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Draw a Good Picture
• Drawings for project notebook, application, display
• Photos, sketches, CAD 2-D or 3-D
• Show assembly, components, materials
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Product Sketches
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Other Drawings
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Model Abstract
• Engineering goal ~ purpose ~ need– Design and construction of gum-repelling shoe
• Design and evaluation criteria• Procedures and equipment
– Alternatives, solution, prototype features
• Test plan ~ test results• Conclusions
– Met need? Why not? Changes? Knowledge?
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Summary
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Processes Compared
• Hypothesis• Experiment• Conclude
• Need• Criteria, constraints• Alternatives• Build prototype• Test, modify, retest• Specification“The crux of the design
process is creating a satisfactory solution to a
need”
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Salient Design Features
1. Meets a need, has a “customer”
2. Design criteria and constraints
3. Evaluate alternatives (systems or components)
4. Build prototype (figuratively)
5. Test/evaluate against test plans (criteria)
6. Analyze, “tweak” (), redesign (), retest
7. Project book: record, analyses, decisions, specifications
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Summary: A Superior Project
• A clear and relevant need from customer• Research what’s been done before: don’t
make theories out of facts • Enough criteria to develop alternative
designs and perform design trades• Prototype built after best design choses• Test prototype as it will be used• Comprehensive project book, good specs
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Avoid These PitfallsNo need, no end product
Analysis as a product
Turning facts into questions with hypotheses
Reverse engineering the process
Ah ha!, gadgetry, kits
Demonstrations, product testing
Testing without asking the user
No analysis of prototype test results
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activity/Demonstration
• Examine project abstracts
• Categorize projects as science or engineering or unclear
• Evaluate quality
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Workshop Evaluation
• Plusses and Minuses
• Objectives met?
• Content balanced, relevant, appropriate?
• Presentation?
• Time Management?
• Facility?
• Materials?
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activities
Optional Additional Activities
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activity/Demonstration
• Good and bad examples• Compare and contrast engineering process and
scientific method• Teachers design and evaluate simulated project. • Role play design team exercise with customers,
designers, and evaluators• Teachers evaluate how workshop met objectives
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Activity/Demonstration
• Categorize actual projects as science, engineering, product testing, or engineering analysis
• Use abstracts from actual science fair entries
• Include exercise abstracts in workbook
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Key Terms
• Define in context and summarize here..
• Prototype
• Model
• Simulation
• Hypothesis
• Design criteria
• Design constraints
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Backups
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About the Scientific MethodRemove this section if time is limited
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Scientific Method(s)
• Be curious• Research • Hypothesis• Experiment, data• Reach Conclusions• Prepare report and
exhibit
• Observe
• Do research
• Formulate hypothesis
• Design experiment
• Stop. Do application
• Conduct experiments
• Evaluate, conclusions
• Prep paper & exhibit
• Prepare abstract
Source: http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document/indexSource: SCVSEFA Handbook
Science Fair Expanded process
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Scientific Method
“The notion of a single scientific method is so pervasive it seems certain that many students must
be disappointed when they discover that scientists do not
have a framed copy of the steps of the scientific method posted
high above each laboratory workbench.”
McComas, William, Ten myths of science: Reexamining what we think we know, Vol. 96, School Science & Mathematics, 01-01-1996, pp 10 http://amasci.com/.
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Consensus Science Project
• Research: observation and data
• Problem: the scientific question to be solved
• Hypothesis: an idea about the solution
• Experiment: test the hypothesis
• Project conclusion
• Presentation and Report
Source: Discovery.com Janice VanCleave’s Science Fair Handbook
5/30/05 Prepared by JR Hull Program Mgt Services760-731-0124
Hypothesis
• An educated guess
• Prediction of outcome
• That which can be measured and tested
• Cause and effect
• Example: if x is true, then y will happen
To help answer “Why”?