Design Process Steps
What is the first thing engineers do before building anything?
Identify the problem or need
What does criteria mean in engineering?
The goals or needs a design must meet.
What is data?
Why should engineers consider the environment when designing?
To avoid harming ecosystems and use sustainable materials
How does math help engineers?
Measuring, calculating, estimating and comparing results
Why is brainstorming important during the design process?
It helps generate multiple resolutions before choosing the best one
What does constraint mean?
The limits of a design
How does analyzing data help engineers improve a design?
It shows what worked, what didn't and what to change next.
What is a renewable resource?
A resource that can be replaced naturally in a short time.
How does science help engineers?
Understanding materials, energy and natural systems.
What do engineers make to test an idea before the final product?
Prototype
Give two examples of common constraints engineers face?
Budget, size, safety or material limits.
What is an independent variable?
A factor changed on purpose in an experiment.
What is a nonrenewable resource?
A resource that cannot be replaced quickly, like oil or coal)
What is a trade-off?
A situation where improving one part of a design makes another part worse.
What step comes after testing and finding problems with a design?
Redesign or improvement
Why is it important to balance criteria and constraints?
A design must meet goals while staying realistic within limits.
What is a dependent variable?
The factor that is measured or observed
Name one way technology can reduce pollution.
Electric cars, solar panel or other clean energy sources.
Why do engineers work in teams?
To share ideas, check for errors and improve solutions.
What do engineers communicate after finishing their project?
Their results, data and conclusions about how well it worked.
If a design is too expensive but works well, what should engineers do next?
Redesign to meet the same criteria but with cheaper materials or lower cost other ways.
Why do engineers keep some variables constant during tests?
To make the tests fair and only change one thing at a time
What kind of evidence could support that fossil fuels harm the environment?
Data showing air pollution of greenhouse gases and their impacts over time
What is innovation?
A new or improved idea, product or method.