Active learning ideas
The design process is the roadmap engineers use to turn an idea into a reality. In 1st year, students learn a structured approach: identifying a need, researching, generating ideas, prototyping, and evaluating. This topic emphasizes that engineering is an iterative process; the first idea is rarely the final solution. The NCCA specification encourages students to document this journey in their design folders, showing how their thinking evolved.
Activity 01
Groups must build the tallest free-standing structure using spaghetti, tape, and string to support a marshmallow. This introduces the importance of prototyping and testing early in the design process.
What are the stages of the engineering design process?
Activity 02
Give students a vague brief (e.g., 'people need a better way to carry books'). Pairs must brainstorm five specific questions they would ask the user to better define the actual problem before designing.
How do we identify a valid engineering problem?
Activity 03
Students sketch three different solutions to a problem on large sheets. They rotate around the room, leaving 'constructive feedback' or 'build-on' ideas on their classmates' sketches using sticky notes.
Why is iteration important in design?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
The design process is a straight line from start to finish.
Design is iterative; you often have to go back to the drawing board after a failed test. Using 'fail fast' prototyping exercises helps students embrace mistakes as a necessary part of the process.
You should start building your final project immediately.
Building without a plan leads to wasted materials and poor results. Structured 'design sprints' show students that time spent planning and sketching actually saves time during manufacturing.
Methods used in this brief