This document discusses strategies for improving engineering design challenges in the classroom. It suggests putting design challenges in context, beginning with the desired outcome in mind, adding constraints, and tweaking available resources. Techniques for better brainstorming are presented, such as facilitating discussion, using individual and group approaches, and methods like SCAMPER. Prototyping, using decision matrices to evaluate ideas, and conducting science experiments for research are recommended for developing solutions. The document stresses the importance of oral presentations, academic language, and going beyond traditional reports to communicate solutions effectively.

1. Taking Engineering Design to
the Next Level
Patricia Watson
Skyline Middle School STEM Coordinator
Nov. 21, 2015

2. Stand up - Sit down
• I know what a design challenge is.
• I have read several design challenges.
• I have used a design challenge created by
others in my class.
• I have written my own design challenge.
• I use design challenges in my class
regularly.
• I teach engineering skills explicitly.
If the statement is true for you, stand up

3. Introductions
• About me
pwatson@harrisonburg.k12.va.us
http://staff.harrisonburg.k12.va.us/~pwatson
• Introduce yourself - Turn and Talk
Where do you teach
What do you teach
Describe a design brief you have used in
your classroom

4. Science vs. Engineering
Use a non-
linear
process
Many
disciplines
Questions
about the
natural
world
Publish
freely
1 correct
answer
Solve
societal
problem
Many
correct
answers
Patent &
sell
Iterative
process

5. Engineering Design Challenges
E
S
T
M

6. Design Better Challenges
• Put it in context
• Begin with the end in mind
• Add some constraints
• Tweak the resources list

7. Put it in context

8. Put it in context

9. Begin with the end in mind

10. Add some constraints

11. Tweak the resources list

12. Design Better Ideas
• Facilitate brainstorming
• Individual vs. group brainstorming
• SCAMPER
• Brainsteering

13. ● Defer judgement
● Build on other’s ideas
● Be visual
● Encourage wild ideas
● Go for quantity
Facilitate brainstorming
(Engineer Your Life, 2008)

14. Facilitate brainstorming

15. Individual vs. group
brainstorming

16. SCAMPER
• substitute
• combine
• adapt
• modify
• put to another use
• eliminate and/or
• reverse an idea
(Mind Tools Editorial Team, n.d.)

17. Brainsteering
● Focus on criteria
● Start from existing ideas (research)
● Use guiding questions
● Can you change the material? inputs?
outputs? What if the user is ___?
● Become an expert first
● Understand the science/math/tech
content
● Divide and conquer
● Group by similar personalities
● Quality (3-4 from each small group) over
quantity
(Coyne & Coyne, 2011)

18. Brainstorming Resources
• Engineering Design Process:
Brainstorming and Assessing Alternatives
• Judy Lee: Creativity has its rewards
• Tips for Structuring Better Brainstorming
Sessions
• Seven steps to better brainstorming
• SCAMPER: Improving Products and
Services

19. Design Better Solutions
• Science experiment to research
• Decision matrix
• Prototyping
• Have a plan

20. Science experiments

21. Science experiments

22. Decision matrix
Criteria Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3
Can hold enough dirty water 0 +1 0
Can hold enough clean water 0 0 +1
Easy to get clean water 0 +2 -2
Easy to assemble 0 -1 0
Durable for one year 0 -1 0
Won’t tip over or spill 0 -2 +2
Total 0 -1 1

24. Prototyping

25. Have a plan

26. Have a plan

27. Designing Better
Communication
• Oral presentations
• Academic language
• Going beyond the report

28. Oral presentations

29. Academic language

30. Going beyond the report

31. Going beyond the report

32. Going beyond the report

33. Turn and Talk
Which of these strategies do you see
incorporating into your classroom?
OR
What do you do in your classroom to increase
engineering knowledge and/or skills?

34. General Resources
Engineering Design Process presentation
International Technology and Engineering
Educators Association
Virginia Technology & Engineering Education
Association
Integrative STEM Education at Virginia Tech
LinkEngineering
Engineering is Elementary

35. Sources
Coyne, K. P., & Coyne, S. T. (2011, March). Seven steps to better brainstorming. Retrieved
November 20, 2015, from McKinsey Quarterly website:
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/seven_steps_to_better_brainstorming
DiSpezio, M. A., Frank, M., Heithaus, M. R., & Ogle, D. M. (2013). Virginia science fusion. Holt
McDougal.
Engineer Your Life. (2008, November 25). Judy Lee: Creativity has its rewards [Video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_bd8Uc9MiM
Mind Tools Editorial Team. (n.d.). SCAMPER: Improving products and services. Retrieved
November 20, 2015, from Mind Tools website: https://www.mindtools.
com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm