Great engineers need to be able to learn new skills. Learning new things follows a process similar to the engineering design process, and certainly supports engineering work. In this unit you’ll learn a relatively new machine or process that is available in our lab. You’ll then use this new process to solve a creative problem. As you do this, you will be expected to:
- Select a machine you’d like to work with and choose a project you’d like to build
- Learn how to use the machine you’ve selected
- Follow the engineering design process to create a prototype
- Get some feedback on your product
In addition to our engineering work, we’ll also do some work related to college and the future. While you’re budgeting time for your game creation, you also need to do two college tasks.
- College Task 1: Write College Essay #1 –
- College Task 2: Write College Essay #2 –
When you’re done, you’ll have learned a new machine, built something cool, and written a few college scholarship essays!
Engineering Design Process Overview
In this unit you’ll get to learn a new machine or process. Start by looking through the list of possible options and finding something you know you haven’t used much (or ever), and that you think would be fun to learn about. Then, watch the Workshop Video about that machine and take some detailed notes. Do some more research on it by checking Google and YouTube for more information on those machines.
Next, start the engineering design process. Pick something you want to try and build, then create a design brief. Then research and brainstorm different ways it can be made or different options you have for your creation. Decide what you want to build and make a careful sketch including labels, dimensions, and materials. Finally, build your prototype using the machine!
Finally, you’ll share your work with the other EDD students. You’ll take some time to share your work with each other and give constructive feedback. Make sure the entire process is recorded in your engineering notebook as always!
GRADING & PROCESS
Learn about your new machine & take detailed notes
Plan what you want to build
Have Mr. Benshoof approve your idea
Build your prototype!
Give and receive feedback on your prototype
Have Mr. Benshoof’s check-off your completed prototype
Exploration Overview
Machine Options
Learn A New Machine
In addition to your work exploring a new machine, you also need to write two essays. These essays connect very specifically to some of the scholarships that we’ll apply to as a class in January and February. By getting them written now we will have time to edit them, and you can consider using them in other applications for schools or scholarships.
Scholarship Essay 1: Problems in Fairbanks – Complete a 1,000 word essay addressing the following: What do you consider the largest social problem plaguing Fairbanks today, and list 3-5 possible solutions for it. How could you be part of one solution?
Scholarship Essay 2: Benefits of Lawsuits – Complete a 1,000 word essay on the subject: “Describe your interest in engineering as a career and/or your interest in pursuing an engineering education.”
GRADING & PROCESS
Write Scholarship Essay 1: Problems in Fairbanks
Write Scholarship Essay 2: Interest in Engineering Education
Have Mr. Benshoof edit your essays!
