A capstone course requiring the design and develop of an original solution to a valid, open-ended, technical problem by applying the engineering design process. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Students will perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams of students will design, build, and test their solution. Finally, student teams will present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. While progressing through the engineering design process, students will work closely with experts and will continually hone their organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, their creative and problem solving abilities, and their understanding of the design process.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Project Management
- Researching a Problem
- Designing a Solution
- Creating a Prototype and Testing Plan
- Evaluation and Reflection on the Design Process
- Presentation of the Design Process
- Identify the design process steps used in given scenarios and be able to list the steps.
- Apply engineering notebook standards and protocols when documenting work.
- Use a list of specifications and constraints identified in a decision matrix to develop a list of alternative solutions and then use pros and cons to select the best design option.
- Communicate using technical writing, expository writing, questioning techniques and speaking skills.
- Research and identify patents related to their identified problem.
- Conduct research that justifies the problem statement, investigates the merit of alternative solutions, and identifies the difference between innovation and invention.
- Create market research to investigate the merit of their solution including use of surveys, phone interviews, and personal contact with experts.
- Represent graphically the results of the design solution evaluation and include an isometric view of the assembled product and a set of working drawings.
- Create a detailed set of instructions for producing a testable prototype, compile a materials list including costs and vendors, write a step-by-step procedure to build and construct a working prototype.
- Identify, define, and implement needed modifications to their testing method and design based on expert feedback and test results.
- Depict the design solution using a technical research paper, PowerPoint, three panel display, or website and orally present.
- Write a resume and update portfolio as a professional documentation of knowledge and skills and work completed.
This course was created back in 2014 when we were partnering with PLTW. Project Lead The Way is an American nonprofit organization that develops STEM curricula for K-12. PLTW courses did not transfer to 4-year schools. We offered this course in Fall 2014 and Winter 2015. Due to low enrollments and prerequisite requirements, we were not able to offer these anymore. To clean up our catalog, we propose to deactivate this course.
Assessment and Requirements
- Assignments
- Projects
- Final Assessment
- Final Presentation
Outcomes
- Natural Sciences
- Scientific Reasoning
- Category 6: Natural Sciences (Lecture Only)
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Completion of Engineering Design and Development (EDD) at official PLTW school