Tech #4: The Engineering Design Process
In tech class, we have started talking about the engineering design process. If you don’t know what this is, it’s a process engineers use to build and indentify problems, and solutions to those problems. I have used this process a couple of times, and I have found it very useful. One of the most recent times I have used it was for my Rube Goldberg project in 6th grade Science. The first step is to indentify the problem. In this case, my problem was that I needed to have an easier way to get my chips into my guacamole. The next step is to Imagine and brainstorm ideas. For this part I wrote down all of the different ways I could get the chips into the guacamole. Then I sketched each of the ways to help me visualize how it would look and if it was even possible. I also started brainstorming ideas for the different parts of the machine, leading up to the machine that was going to get the chips into the guacamole. The third step is to Plan and select a solution. During this part of the process, I went through all of my ideas, and picked the one that would make the most sense. I also had into consideration if the machines would be able to “work together”. Once I had picked all of the ideas I wanted to use, I sketched an outline of my machine. The fourth step is to create. First I had to go all around my house to gather the materials I knew, or thought I needed. Then I set up a table and started building, following my sketch. This process took me about 2:30 hours, but I expected it to take me this long since it was a pretty big and long Rube Goldberg machine. The fifth step is to test. This was the part of this project I was dreading. I tested the machine a few times, then I figured out where it was not working. The sixth step is to Improve. When I saw where it wasn’t working, I tried to change or improve that area so it would work. During this part, I jumped to and from steps 5 & 6. Steps 5 & 6 took me about 4:45 hours. The last step is to Share the results. I needed to make a video to hand in the project. This was my way of communicating with my class and teacher, the machine and if it worked.
In conclusion, I think the Engineering design process is very helpful and something people should use when designing something. I personally find it helpful because I like how it helps you structure your building process. I also find it helpful because it tells you what you need to do in each step, very clearly.