This unit introduces student to the Engineering Design and Development Process. Students will work in teams to learn and apply the engineering design and development process to concisely define a problem. A problem statement is the foundation upon which all problem-solving effort is based. The problem statement allows students to focus effort. Students will validate the problem by documenting credible sources and indicate that the problem exists. They will justify the problem by performing additional research, including market research to confirm that the effort involved with solving the problem are warranted based on current need and projected need of a product. At the end of this unit, students will create a project proposal in which they will formally validate and justify the problem selected.

Unit 2, requires students to work with their team to define the criteria and constraints associated with the solution to their selected problem and write a set of design specifications for the project. Based on the specifications, students will develop multiple potential solution concepts. Through an evaluation process that involves feedback and the application of a decision matrix, students will select the best potential solution to pursue. They will assess their selected solution path based on a variety of factors, consider the consequences of their solution, and optimize their design approach. Finally, students will write a design proposal and make an oral presentation for the purpose of justifying further development of the product.

This unit is most exciting. Students will work in their teams to actively engage in the building of a well-designed and testable prototype. Teams will develop an agreed upon, step-by-step explanation of the assembly directions for the building of their prototype and will also have a design solution that satisfies all criteria. They will keep in mind that the materials used for their prototypes may have to be adjusted based on cost, availability and access to the equipment necessary for the fabrication process. Teams will perform several different tests, which may be conducted at different phases of the construction process. Teams will define and justify the testing method and they will need to demonstrate that they are using sound engineering, scientific, and mathematical principles. The collected test data will be evaluated against the criteria that the team established to determine success or failure. Teams will understand that the success or failure of the prototype is not the goal of engineering design and development. EDD is all about the process.

This unit puts the finishing touch on the Engineering Design Process. It is essential to seek and document feedback from all stakeholders, review the design process and present all content and findings. The teams will reflect on all design decisions and analyze the results that were generated from the testing process. Evaluation of the testing results will determine the effectiveness and functionality of their design. The teams will address if the synthesis of evaluations consistently address stakeholders specific questions, concerns, and opinions related to the design requirements. It will be determined if the team needs to jump back to a previous stage in the design process to make any adjustments and improvements. As the team works through the Critical Design Review, they will evaluate the entire design process, not just the testing results. The team will compile the work that has been performed throughout the course, reflect on the work, and make recommendations for the future regarding the project. In addition, each student will maintain their personal engineering notebook. Finally, each team will present their information in the form of a project portfolio as well as an oral presentation with visual aids.