Engineering Design Process
Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve
Our 5 senses: touch, sound, taste, sight, smell
What are the three types of variables?
Independent, dependent, and controlled
What are the 6 steps of the scientific method?
1. Make Observations
2. Ask a Question
3. Formulate a Hypothesis
4. Experiment
5. Analyze Results
6. Conclusion
What is the purpose of the scientific method?
To allow for scientists to solve problems in an organized/structured manner.
(BONUS 100 POINTS: To allow for scientists to more easily replicate the work of a previously done science experiment.)
The engineering design process begins with asking a __________ or identifying a problem.
question
What are the two types of observations and data? (Hint: number data and characteristics)
Qualitative and quantitative
What can be described as the factor that I change in the experiment?
Independent variable
What part of the scientific method is this:
If I add salt to the pancakes, then they will taste better.
3. Formulate a Hypothesis
What skill is a scientist using when she records the following in her notebook:
Jan. 16: 4 whales travel together heading east at 5 mph.
Observation
What happens during the Imagine step of the engineering design process?
The engineer will brainstorm answers to the question / solutions to the problem they identified.
What kind of data/observation is this?
Most of my textbooks have over 240 pages.
Quantitative
What are all the things in an experiment that must be held the same called?
Controlled variables or constants
When designing an experiment these set of steps are called?
1. Locate 2 puppies from the same litter that are similar in size
2. Feed one animal food with minerals for 1 month.
3. Feed the other animal food without minerals for 1 month.
4. Calculate the average growth of each puppy.
Procedure
During the engineering design process, what should always be held at the center of all you do?
The goal
During the Plan step of the engineering design process, you should draw and label a __________ of your prototype.
diagram
What kind of data/observation is this?
The classroom wall is painted blue.
Qualitative
Would this be considered a testable question (yes or no):
How does the amount of sunlight affect the height of a plant?
Yes
What step of the scientific method is this:
Does adding minerals to an animal’s food affect their growth?
2. Ask a Question
Would this be considered a testable question (yes or no):
How do the location, amount of sunlight, and temperature affect the height of a plant?
No (There are too many independent variables.)
What do engineers do when their orignal plan does not succeed?
Try again / try something new! Go back to the Imagine step of the engineering design process.
Why are inferences used in science and NOT opinions?
An inference is an educated guess based on what your are currently observing and what you know to be true.
Opinions are JUST based on your own interpretation of what you are observing (could be true or not true).
Identify the dependent variable in the hypothesis:
If I raise the temperature, then mold will grow faster.
Time it takes for mold to grow
What part of the scientific method would it be if we used the following data to make a graph:
Trial 1 Distance Ran: 2 miles, 4 miles, 5 miles
Trial 2 Distance Ran: 2.5 miles, 7 miles, 3 miles
Trial 3 Distance Ran: 5 miles, 6 miles, 4 miles
5. Analyze Results
Why is the growth-mindset important in science and engineering?
There is no such thing as failure...only success and learning!