New York State Standards
MST 5.1  Key Idea

Engineering Design is an iterative (repetitive) process
involving modeling and optimization
used to develop technological solutions to problems
within given constraints.

“Engineering is the art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment, and common sense to make things that benefit people. Engineers design bridges and important medical equipment as well as processes for cleaning up toxic spills and systems for mass transit. In other words, engineering is the process of producing a technical product or system to meet a specific need.”     (Engineering Your Future  http://www.asee.org/precollege/)  

Problem Solving

1. State the problem.
2. Identify the criteria and constraints in a design brief.
3. Research.
4. Look for alternative solutions.
5. Choose the best solution.
6. Build a prototype.
7. Evaluate and make necessary changes.

A Design Brief is a short statement describing the criteria and constraints that a solution to a problem must meet.

Criteria/Constraints are “do’s” and “don’ts”.  The criteria are specifications or needs that must be met.  Constraints are limits or restraints.

Specifications are the details such as size or dimensions, materials, cost, color, quality, etc.

Optimization is the procedure used to make a design or system the best possible.

A Prototype is the (first) model of a solution.  It can be used to test ideas and evaluate the solution or as a reference for manufacturing.  Designers may build and modify several prototypes before choosing the one to manufacture.

Modeling is studying and testing the solution to a problem using scale models and/or computer programs, mathematical calculations, etc. 

The best solutions are those that work well are economical and cause the least harm to people and the environment.

Ideation techniques are methods used to discover alternative solutions.

Ways to discover alternative (different) solutions.

• Brainstorming-usually a group activity where many ideas are presented and nothing is discounted as “wacky” or      “wrong” because those ideas can lead to other workable solutions.

• Trial and Error- try again and again.

• Insight- Eureka! A light bulb goes turns on in your head.

• Past experience can be very helpful.

• Accident- sometimes you can solve a problem by accident.

Trade-offs are the exchange of the one thing in return for another. Making tradeoffs is similar to weighing the pros and cons when choosing a solution.

Thumbnails are small sketches trying out ideas- brainstorming in pictures.

A Pictorial is a drawing of an object as it appears to the eye.

	OBLIQUE pictorials show the front to be the true shape.  Lines extending from the front to show the top and side are drawn at same angle.
PERSPECTIVE pictorials  have a point. The front is drawn and lines extending from the front   to show the top and side converge on a point.
	ISOMETRIC pictorials present an edge at the front. The angle of the lines showing the right and left side is identical.  (Iso means equal.)

All objects can be said to have Three Dimensions.  They can be described using many terms.  For example:

• Width is the measurement from side to side.


• Height is the measurement from top to bottom.


• Depth is the measurement from side to side.

Technical Drawings use lines to describe an object.  Each line or group of lines has a meaning.  Some very basic lines can be said to be the “ABC’s” of the “alphabet of lines.”   Technical drawings can be pictorials or drawings that show just one face (or side) of an object at a time.

Alphabet of Lines
	Border Lines are thick and heavy and frame a drawing.
	Object Lines are medium weight.
	Construction Lines are very light and are used for planning.
	Center Lines show the center of a hole. They use a long line, dash and long line. The “X” marks the exact center.
	Hidden Lines tell us that there is something that we can’t see from this viewpoint.
	Extension and Dimension lines are the “so big” lines. Extension lines extend from the object. Dimension lines point to the extension lines and have a number showing measurement.

Multiview Drawings show more than one view or face of an object.

Orthographic Projection is a method of projecting (copying) the dimensions from one view to another.  The three faces usually draw are front, top and side. This drawing shows the height being projected from the front to the side view. The depth is projected from the side up to a line drawn at 45 degrees and then over to the top.

Measurement

Metric System is a system of measurement based on 10.

English System uses fractions.

Scale is the ratio that describes the relationship between a drawing and the actual object.  Maps are usually drawn “to scale.”  Full Scale is actual size, the ratio is 1 to 1.

“Form follows function- that has been misunderstood.
Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”
Frank Lloyd Wright

Design Criteria are the requirements that must be met by a solution. 

Elements of Good Design

Ergonomics refers to products that are built to conform to the human shape and are comfortable to use.

Aesthetics refers to how something looks and the way that effects peoples feelings.

Includes:

Shape                              Line

Texture                            Color

          Proportion                       Balance

          Unity                               Rhythm

Function is the purpose of an object, what it is supposed to do.

Quality measures how well something is made and can determine how long it will last.

Safety is determined by the age, experience or capability of the user.  A safe product will allow reasonable use without the risk of injury.