1. Test the Hypothesis (Experiment)
BELLWORK- Draw this visual on p.7 in class notes. Take up the whole page.
Collect Information
State the Question
Form a Hypothesis
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Draw a Conclusion
Test the Hypothesis (Experiment)
Record & Study Data

2. The Engineering Design Process

3. Scientific Method vs Engineering Design Process
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

4. The Engineering Design Process
What is technology?
Technology- refers to the products and processes that are designed to serve our needs.
Technology is not just “new” inventions. Compared to a computer, a typewriter is old technology.
Can you think of anything that might be considered “old technology?”

5. The Engineering Design Process
What is engineering?
Engineering- the process of creating technology.
You do not have to be an engineer to engage in engineering.

6. The Engineering Design Process
The Engineering design process is what engineers use to develop a new technology.

7. The Engineering Design Process
STEP 1- ASK
The 1st step is to identify a need.
Engineers define and research a need or problem they are trying to solve.
Example: The problem may be to provide prosthetic devices to people who are missing limbs, enabling them to perform everyday activities. Engineers might need to research the person’s needs, limitations of current prosthetic devices, and the biomechanics of limbs.

8. The Engineering Design Process
STEP 2- IMAGINE
The 2nd step is to develop possible solutions.
This step includes brainstorming for ideas. Engineers discuss and share ideas in order to promote additional ideas.
Example: A type of prosthetic foot was designed similar to the springs in a car.

9. The Engineering Design Process
STEP 3- PLAN
The 3rd step is to begin making a prototype.
Prototype- a test model of the product.
Building a prototype will allow engineers to see if their design works the way they expect it to.

10. The Engineering Design Process
STEP 4- CREATE
The 4th step is to test and evaluate the prototype.
Engineers need to make sure that the technology does the job that it was designed to do.
Cost-Benefit Analysis- Engineers make sure that the cost of designing and producing the new product is worth the benefit.

11. The Engineering Design Process
STEP 5- IMPROVE
The 5th step is to modify and retest the solution.
If the prototype is unsuccessful or did not work well, the engineers would use this step.
Engineers can modify the 1st model or try a new solution.
Engineers will also look for other possible uses for the new product.
Example: CAT scanning is used to see internal structures in the body. Scientists are now using CAT scanning to help model limbs for improved fit of prosthetics.

12. The Engineering Design Process
Intended Benefits & Unintended Consequences
When developing a new technology, engineers have intended benefits in mind. An intended benefit refers to the expected outcome.
Sometimes unintended consequences can result from a new technology. An unintended consequence is something that the engineers did not mean for the technology to cause.
Can you think of intended benefits and unintended consequences of motorized vehicles?

13. The Engineering Design Process
Bioengineering
Assistive bioengineering- technologies that are developed to help organisms without changing them. (Ex: contact lenses, crutches)
Adaptive bioengineering- technologies that are developed to actually change an organism. (Ex: artificial skin, injecting cells with genetic material)