1. Engineering Design Process
Scientific Method vs.
Engineering Design Process
Both scientists and engineers contribute to the world of human knowledge, but in different ways.

2. Scientists…
use the scientific method to make testable explanations and predictions about the world
asks a question and develops an experiment to answer that question
study how nature works

3. Scientific Method: 1. Purpose 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment
State the problem; ask a question
2. Research
Find out about the topic
3. Hypothesis
Predict the outcome of the problem
4. Experiment
Plan a procedure to test the hypothesis
5. Data/Analysis
Record the results of the experiment
6. Conclusion
Compare the hypothesis to the experiment conclusion

4. Variables
Variables are anything that can be changed within an experiment.
There are 2 types of variables….

5. Types of Variables
Independent (Test) Variable: The variable that is changed/tested by the scientist; the ‘I change’ variable. Dependent (Outcome) Variable: The variable that changes because of what the scientist changes –”Data” (what is measured) quantitative and qualitative observations and data.

6. Control Group
The control is the part of the experiment that is not changed and is used to compare the experimental results to.

7. Hypothesis

8. Types of Descriptions
Qualitative descriptions describe an object’s quality without using specific values.
There are NO numbers used in qualitative descriptions.
Ex: The fish is gold
Quantitative descriptions describe an object using specific values.
There are numbers involved in quantitative descriptions.
The fish has two eyes.

9. Engineers…
use the engineering design process to create solutions to problems.
identify a specific need: Who need(s) what because why? And then, he or she creates a solution that meets the need.
create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences.

10. Ask Imagine Improve Plan Create The Engineering Design Process
define the problem, conduct research
2. Imagine
brainstorm ideas, possible solutions
3. Plan
draw a model or build a prototype, make a materials list
4. Create
follow a plan to create the product, test the product, gather information/data
5. Improve
evaluate results, improve the design, retest and re-evaluate
PREDICT!

11. Engineering Design Process
Compare and Contrast
Scientific Method
Engineering Design Process
Fill in the Venn diagram on the back of the cover sheet