Lesson 2:Design of Technological Systems

Draft – Review Version May 2012

Unit 1: Technological Systems: How They Work

Lesson 2:Design of Technological Systems

Student Resource 1.2.5: Lesson Design Brief

The Problem: Many of the mechanisms and systems that we use every day would not exist without technology. Working in Engineering Design Teams, the goal is to develop an innovation to a system with constraints on time and available materials, which could not be completed without technology.

Design Constraints:Remember, this is an innovation, not an invention:

Invention is described as the process of turning ideas and imagination into devices and systems.
Innovation is described as the process of modifying an existing product to improve it.

Your Engineering Design Team will have limited time and materials to complete this process, as described by your teacher. Use your time and materials wisely.

Things to Consider: All members of the Engineering Design Team bring different strengths to the group. What can you do to make the most of these strengths?

If your Engineering Design Team wants to work on a system that cannot physically be brought into your classroom, can you locate enough information to address this problem?

Human values and limitations will impact the success of your design. How will your Engineering Design Team work to address these issues?

Always use appropriate safety equipment.

Materials: Engineering Design Journals, gift-wrap tape, masking tape, school glue, poster board, hot melt glue guns and sticks, X-Acto knives, coping saws, scissors, rulers, corrugated cardboard, file folders, packing materials, and Balsa Wood. Other materials may be used - consult your teacher.

The Prototype: The prototype built by your Engineering Design Team should demonstrate the proof of concept, meaning that it shows that your design will do what you intend for it to do. Use care in building the prototype and test it prior to your presentation.

The Presentation: When presenting your system, (1) describe your development process, (2) the plans that your Engineering Design Team has for the innovation, (3)successes and failures in your designs and (4) how each team member was involved throughout the process. Include A bill of materials for hardware, materials and tools used in the innovation process, and improvements in quality listed in numeric and ratio or percentage values.