1. Learning Target: Engineering Design Process
I Can … Describe the steps of the engineering design process and distinguish this process from the scientific method.

2. The engineering design process is a series of steps that engineers follow to come up with a solution for a problem.
Many times the solution involves designing a product that meets certain criteria and/or accomplishes a certain task.

3. This process is different from the Steps of the Scientific Method, which you may be more familiar with.
If your project involves making observations and doing experiments, you should probably follow the Scientific Method.
If your project involves designing, building, and testing something, you should probably follow the Engineering Design Process.
We are going to work on a hybrid project that will incorporate both scientific method and the engineering process.

4. So what is the difference between scientists and engineers?
While scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences.
Because engineers and scientists have different objectives, they follow different processes in their work.
Scientists perform experiments using the scientific method; whereas, engineers follow the creativity-based engineering design process.

5. http://www. sciencebuddies

6. There are many similarities, but some key differences in the steps
The Scientific Method
The Engineering Design Process
State your question
Define the problem
Do background research
Formulate your hypothesis, identify variables
Specify requirements
Design experiment, establish procedure
Create alternative solutions, choose the best one and develop it
Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
Build a prototype
Analyze your results and draw conclusions
Test and redesign as necessary
Communicate results

7. Why are there two processes?
Both scientists and engineers contribute to the world of human knowledge, but in different ways. Scientists use the scientific method to make testable explanations and predictions about the world.
A scientist asks a question and develops an experiment, or set of experiments, to answer that question.
Engineers use the engineering design process to create solutions for a problems.
An engineer identifies a specific need: Who need(s) what because why? And then, he or she creates a solution that meets the need.

8. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Define the Problem:
The engineering design process starts when you ask the following questions about problems that you observe:
What is the problem or need?
Who has the problem or need?
Why is it important to solve?
[Who] need(s) [what] because [why].

9. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Do Background Research: 
Learn from the experiences of others — this can help you find out about existing solutions to similar problems, and avoid mistakes that were made in the past.
So, for an engineering design project, do background research in two major areas:
Users or customers
Existing solutions

10. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Specify Requirements: 
Design requirements state the important characteristics that your solution must meet to succeed.
One of the best ways to identify the design requirements for your solution is to analyze the concrete example of a similar, existing product, noting each of its key features.

11. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Brainstorm Solutions: 
There are always many good possibilities for solving design problems. If you focus on just one before looking at the alternatives, it is almost certain that you are overlooking a better solution. Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can.

12. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Choose the Best Solution: 
Look at whether each possible solution meets your design requirements. Some solutions probably meet more requirements than others. Reject solutions that do not meet the requirements.

13. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Develop the Solution: 
Development involves the refinement and improvement of a solution, and it continues throughout the design process, often even after a product ships to customers.

14. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Build a Prototype: 
A prototype is an operating version of a solution. Often it is made with different materials than the final version, and generally it is not as polished. Prototypes are a key step in the development of a final solution, allowing the designer to test how the solution will work.

15. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Test and Redesign: 
The design process involves multiple iterations and redesigns of your final solution. You will likely test your solution, find new problems, make changes, and test new solutions before settling on a final design.

16. Steps of the Engineering Design Process
Communicate Results: 
To complete your project, communicate your results to others in a final report and/or a display board. Professional engineers always do the same, thoroughly documenting their solutions so that they can be manufactured and supported.