Increasing Scientific Inquiry Through Student Oriented Task Applications A Collection of Design Briefs for Grades 5-9 Julia Gooding, Ph.D, NBCT Bill Metz, Ed.D

Design a testing method Present findings Evaluate the test results Find the problem Choose one of these ideas to test Think of ideas that might solve the problem The Design Loop Model and Explanation

What is a design brief? Design briefs can help students engage in creative problem solving activities by providing a structure in which they can work.

Engineers are responsible for the design, the improvement, and the installation of integrated systems in industry. They make products that perform specific functions. The Context: This is a general statement describing the concept.

The Scenario: This is a story that “sets the stage” for the reader. You are a design engineer for a major company. Your supervisor approaches you with a problem that must be solved immediately. He tells you that you need to make an air purification system for a closed living environment using non- traditional materials.

The Challenge: This is a detailed description of the problem. Your design team must develop a makeshift air purification system that will be capable of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the Apollo 13 spacecraft and you must have it completed and functional in two days. You are given a bizarre compilation of materials such as canisters, cardboard, large hoses, duct tape, and storage bags to name a few, and told that this is what the Apollo crew has on board. These are the only materials you have to work with and you must fix the problem. The lives of the Apollo Crew are at stake and they are relying on your expertise.

The Limitations: This is a list of constraints or specifications that must be met in order for the project or process to meet minimum requirements. Your design must be completed and functional in two days. Your team can only use the materials provided. The team must craft a set of installation instructions that will ensure successful system assembly by the Apollo crew.

The Rules: These are the testing procedures for products and processes that meet established specifications. Testing of all air purification prototype systems will be conducted on day two. Once testing begins no system modifications will be allowed. Each design team will take a turn serving as “fabricators” for another design team to test the clarity of the installation instructions.

Links to National Academic Standards These activities link to the NSES, NCTE and NCTM standards as described in the handouts

Links to State Academic Standards These activities link to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Science and Technology for both process and content skills.

Increasing Scientific Inquiry Through Student Oriented Task Applications A Collection of Design Briefs for Grades 5-9 Julia Gooding, MS, NBCT Bill Metz, Ed.D

Ordering Information… Visit our website at