The document discusses key concepts in engineering and technology problem solving. It introduces the engineering problem solving process, which involves defining the problem, determining goals and results, generating alternative solutions, choosing the best solution, implementing it, and comparing/changing if needed. Scientific problem solving methods are also outlined, including stating the problem, forming a hypothesis, testing it, collecting data, analyzing the data, and drawing conclusions. Finally, the universal systems model is explained as having inputs, a process, outputs, feedback, and being either open-loop or closed-loop systems.

1. Concepts of Engineering
and Technology
The Engineering
Problem Solving Process
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2. RULES
Respect each other and the teacher.
Please be quiet and raise your
hand. We will call on you to answer.
Never laugh when another student
is being corrected for behavior.
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3. What will we be doing?
Day 1 = Intro Notes: (Daily)
– Grades, Percentages, TAALLS, and Good versus Bad
Decision Making into the document provided
Day 2 = DR. GABIC and Scientific Problem Solving
Methods, and the Universal System Model (Major)
– You will solve the three (3) puzzles and put the
answers into the document provided.
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4. What will we be doing?
Day 3-4 = Solve the Problem: (Major)
– Given ONLY the materials provided, you will solve the
problem.
Day 5 = Test the solution day
Day 6 = TAKS Math and Review for Test (Major)
– Complete the TAKS Math-based problems given and
take the practice test
Day 7 = DR. GABIC Problem Solving Test
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5. Want BONUS Grade?
BONUS #1
– http://www.cafecafegames.com/games/files/light-bot.swf
• Play until you reach level 10, each level is worth 10 Points
• Print the results as a PDF file as proof to submit for grading
BONUS #2
– http://www.agame.com/game/Goldburger-To-Go.html
• Play until you solve it
• Print the results as a PDF file as proof to submit for grading
BONUS #3
– http://www.funny-games.biz/dynamic-systems.html
• Play until you reach level 10, each level is worth 10 Points
• Print the results as a PDF file as proof to submit for grading
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6. PARTICPATION GRADE:
40%-good attitude - well
behaved –If a teacher
corrects a student in class,
should other students
laugh about it?
30%-actively involved at all times
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7. 10% -Discretional- grade by
classmates
10% -Discretional- grade by
teacher
10%-Possible Solutions (3 alt
sol.) this can be drawings,
written, etc… whatever method
works best for you
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8. Participation
40% Good Attitude
30% Actively Involved
10% Partners Grade
10% Teachers Grade
10% Proof of
Brainstorming at least 3
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9. TAALLS:
Manners and how to get along
The TOP 6 items your future employer
wants you to know and do. These will
help you get and keep your job!
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10. TAALLS:
#1 -T. Make it to work
every day on Time (early).
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11. TAALLS
#2&3- AA.
Come to school/work
dressed Appropriately
with a good Attitude!
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12. TAALLS
#4- L. Do not
make
vulgar, abusive, o
r obnoxious Loud
noises.
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13. TAALLS
#5&6- LS. Do not Lie or
Steal and do not
tolerate those
who do!
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14. Osborn’s Rules
for Brainstorming
1. Criticism is ruled out:
Judgment of idea is
suspended until a later
screening or evaluation
session. Be positive!
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15. 2. Free-Wheeling is welcomed:
The wilder the ideas, the
better! Even off-beat,
impractical suggestions may
trigger in other members,
suggestions which might not
otherwise occur to them.
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16. 3. Quantity is Wanted:
The greater the number of
ideas, the greater likelihood of
winners. It is easier to pare
down a long list of ideas than
puff up a short list.
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17. 4. Combination and
Improvement are Sought: In
addition to contributing ideas of
their own, students should suggest
how suggestions by others can
be turned into better ideas or
how two or more ideas could
be combined into a still better
idea.
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18. Problem Solving Making
Decisions – GOOD Choices
When making decisions and/or choices, we learn from others. We use
their wisdom! We ask others their experience of or on a particular
subject. Before we begin this process, we should look at the person (or
better, persons).
We should get advice/learn
from/someone…….
1. That you admire, or Trust
2. Who has been through the Fire
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19. 3. Who is at the place you want to
be
4. Who has made correct choices
5. Who has vision (goals)
6. Who has a high self-esteem –
not pride
7. Who is respected by many
8. Someone who knows you well
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20. Meet DR. GABIC
.
DR. GABIC
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21. D- Define the problem
clearly
R. G- determine Results
and Goals
A- come up with 3 Alternative
solutions
DR. GABIC
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22. B- choose Best solution
I- Implement the solution
C- Compare and Change
if needed
DR. GABIC
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23. Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA)

24. State the problem A problem can't be solved if it
isn't understood.
Form a Hypothesis This is a possible solution to the
problem formed after gathering information about the
problem. The term "research" is properly applied here.
Test the Hypothesis An experiment is performed to
determine if the hypothesis solves the problem or not.
Experiments are done to gather data. It is very important
that good observations and records are made during an
experiment.
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25. Collect the Data This is where you record your
observations, measurements, or information from
experiment.
Analyze the Data Just what does all that data
indicate about answering the problem you are
solving?
 Draw Conclusions After examining the data
from the experiment, conclusions can be drawn. In its
simplest form, the conclusion will be "yes" the
hypothesis was.
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26. Copyright Texas Education Agency (TEA)

27. The Universal System Model
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28. Steps Example
I want to ride my skateboard down the
street
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29. INPUT
I want to ride my
skateboard down
the street
Resources =
me, skateboard, a
nd hill
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30. PROCESS
The wheels spin
and the board
travels down the
road
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31. OUTPUT
The board moves
forward and you ride it
(without falling we hope)
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32. FEEDBACK
All of the information you receive that
causes you to make adjustments.
(Example: you see a puddle and shift
your weight to steer around it.)
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33. Definitions
Input: Command given to the system to
reach the desired result. Ingredients that go
into the system
(tools, information, people, time, energy, mat
erials)
Process: The action part of the system, the
part that takes place to make things happen
Output: The result of the system
Feedback: Information about the output that
is used to adjust the system
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34. Two (2) Types of Systems
Open-loop and closed-loop
Open loop systems have no way of
adjusting to changing conditions
(closing your eyes riding a skate board)
Closed loop systems can change
under different conditions (eyes open
riding a skate board)
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