1. Tennessee SPI Objective: Check for Understanding
SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Notes
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Identify the tools and procedures needed to test the design features of a prototype.
Essential Question
1) What are the ideal tools and testing methods for
testing a given prototype?
Check for Understanding
Students will design a simple prototype and test it
using common scientific tools such as meter sticks,
scales, triple-beam balances, stopwatches, etc.

2. Steps 4 and 5 are the steps of the EDP to test the protype EDP where we test our prototypes EDP where we test our prototypes s
(1)
(3)
(2)
(4)
(5)
(1)
(3)
(2)
(4)
(5)

3. Engineering Design Process-Prototype Testing
The 4th EDP step is testing your prototype
Often, prototypes do not work very well at first
Testing a prototype can be dangerous (see picture below)
By testing the prototype, the designers identify problems
They fix the problems and then test it again. They repeat this over & over. (This is step 5 of the eng design process.)
Wright Brothers testing their first air plane

4. Tools and procedures used in prototype testing
Procedures & tools for prototype testing depend on the type of technology and the purpose for that technology.
For Example: You would not test a new cell phone the same way you would test a new jet airplane or a new football helmet.
Discuss These Questions:
A) How would you test a prototype of a new type of eyeglasses?
B) How would you test a new type of headache medicine?
C) How would you test a new type of camping tent?

5. Prototype Testing in the Movies -From the movie "Batman Begins”
In this scene Mr. Fox is showing Mr. Wayne a prototype of a
special material called "memory cloth."
Bruce Wayne
Lucius
Fox
Bruce later uses this cloth to glide through the air.

6. Prototype Testing in the Movies -From the movie "Batman Begins”
In this scene Mr. Fox is showing Mr. Wayne a prototype of a
special vehicle called "the Tumbler." Bruce later uses it as his
"Batmobile" vehicle.
How do you like it?
Does it come in black?

7. Prototype Testing in the Movies -From the movie "Batman Begins”
In this scene Alfred is testing the prototype of Batman's mask by hitting it with a baseball bat.
It fails the test, so they must modify it and re-test it.
STEP 4:
Test and Evaluate
STEP 5:
Modify and Retest

8. Prototype Testing in the Movies -From the movie "Batman Begins”
STEP 4:
Test and Evaluate
In this scene Bruce is making and then testing one of his
bat-shaped throwing "stars"
STEP 3:
Make A Prototype

9. Prototype Testing in the Movies -From the movie “Ironman”
Watch Video Clips
1) Tony Stark tests his
mark 2 prototype
Link: Mark 2-Hover Test
2) Tony again tests his
Link: Mark 2-Full Flight Test

10. SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Questions
Science

11. SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Questions
Science

12. SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Questions
Science

13. SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Questions
Science

14. SPI 0807.T/E.1
(Prototype Testing)
Questions
Science