Before they can begin to design these planes, engineers have to define the problem they are trying to solve and the criteria/constraints they have to work with. They come in all shapes and sizes (Figure 1), and serve very different purposes. To avoid wasted effort, it is very important to sort those things out beforehand! If you are unfamiliar with the engineering design process, check out the links in the Additional Background section to learn more. Otherwise, you might design something that "works," but find out that it does not meet some specific goals, is too expensive, requires materials that are not readily available, etc. However, before you even start to design, you need to define the problem you are trying to solve, the criteria for success, and the constraints you face when solving the problem. You might think of the engineering design process as primarily about designing, iterating, and testing multiple prototypes of some device or machine. While they might seem like a waste of paper or a distraction in your classroom, paper airplanes are an excellent way to teach your students about the engineering design process. You probably remember making paper airplanes as a kid, and some of your students might be obsessed with making them now. Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits, decrease known risks, and meet societal demands. Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World. Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria for success or how well each takes the constraints into account. The success of a designed solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). Define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system and includes several criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.ĮTS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems. This lesson focuses on these aspects of NGSS Three Dimensional Learning: Science & Engineering PracticesĪsking Questions and Defining Problems. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations: Explain why it is important to specify criteria and constraints for an engineering problem.Identify the criteria and constraints in a given engineering design problem.Before they start making planes, they need to define the criteria and constraints of this engineering problem. In this fun lesson, you will be the "customer" ordering a paper airplane, and your student teams will be engineering companies that will manufacture planes. Are paper airplanes a nuisance in your classroom? They don't have to be! Those distractions can be a constructive learning opportunity: use them to teach your students about the engineering design process.
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