Skip to main content

Problem Solve Your School-Using engineering design process

Problem Solve Your School-Using engineering design process
Learning Objets
Summary
This activity is focused on the Engineering Design Process. In the activity, students apply what they have learned about the engineering design process to a real-life problem that affects them and/or their school. They choose a problem as a group, and then follow the engineering design process to come up with and test their design solution. This activity teaches students how to use the engineering design process while improving something in the school environment that matters to them. By performing each step of the design process, students can experience what it is like to be an engineer.

This is an example of a tool that could be used with students to tackle a sustainability problem or address an issue such as use of hazardous chemicals in their school. The approach is a good example of a problem solving framework that could be applied to green chemistry.

Full citation: Podlogar, M., Zarske, M. S., Carlson, D. W., & Sullivan, J. (2006). Problem Solve Your School. TeachEngineering.Org.
Keyword Tags
Design Process
Design Thinking
Link to external
Link to full activity
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
-- Explain the important steps of the engineering design process (https://www.teachengineering.org/k12engineering/designprocess).
-- Relate how engineering incorporates this design process in many applications.
-- Apply the engineering design process to multiple design challenges in their school setting.
Object Type
Activities/Technology (e.g., in-class activities, online games, hands-on activities/manipulatives, outreach, virtual tools, etc.)
Audience
Elementary School
Middle School
Common pedagogies covered
Hands-on learning
Green Chemistry Principles
Not applicable
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Life Below Water
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
n/a
NGSS Standards, if applicable
3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. (Grades 3 - 5)

3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (Grades 3 - 5)

MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. (Grades 6 - 8)

MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (Grades 6 - 8)

Share This

Submitted by

Laura L. Barnes
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Time required (if applicable)
45 minutes