"PLTW Engineering Essentials"

concensus

general agreement

Design Process

A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to winnow (narrow) down the possible solutions to one final choice.

optimize

make the best or most effective use of (a situation, opportunity, or resource).

graphic organizer

A visual display that demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts, or ideas. A graphic organizer guides the learner's thinking as they fill in and build upon a visual map or diagram

Engineering Mindset

A way of thinking that affects how someone interacts with a challenge, comes up with a solution to a problem, and innovates on current technologies or systems.

Misconception

A view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding.

collaboration

Collaboration is the action of two or more people working together through idea sharing to accomplish a common goal.

Systems Thinking

Understanding a system by examining the connections between the parts that compose the entirety of the system.

system

A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal. Change happens if you add or remove a part.

patent

A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.

Model

An accurate representation of an object or phenomenon. Models can be visual, physical, mathematical, or computational, and are often used in the development of scientific theories or the engineering of artifacts.

conceptual model

A visual representation of an idea. A conceptual model can be a sketch, concept map, schematic, flow chart, or any other visual representation.

graphical model

A pictorial representation (such as a picture, map, or technical drawing) used to convey detailed information. In engineering, graphical models are created using standards of engineering graphics to document a design and are often referred to as technical drawings.

spatial

Relating to, occupying, or having the character of space. Spatial describes how objects fit together in space or down here on Earth.

Subduction(zone)

The sideways and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the Earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.

simulate

To reproduce the conditions of (a situation, etc). To use a model to imitate certain conditions for purposes of study or training.

Computational Thinking

Habits that help people solve problems with computers. Computational thinking habits encourage a person who is facing a problem to ask how computers could help them be more creative, to communicate, collaborate, use data or the internet, or use crowdsourcing or simulation, to solve a problem.

data validation

A feature in Excel used to control what a user can enter into a cell.

conditional formatting

A feature in Excel that allows the user to automatically apply formatting to one or more cells based on the cell value.

algorithmic thinking

Creating a sequence of steps to solve a problem or accomplish a task.

trade-offs

An exchange of one thing in return for another: especially relinquishment of one benefit or advantage for another regarded as more desirable.

ethical issue

A problem or situation that requires a person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical).

ethical dilemma

A situation in which there is a choice to be made between two (or more) options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion.

patents

A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.

sustainable

A method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged and will still be available for future generations.

constructive criticism

The process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one.

problem statement

A clear and concise identification and description of the design problem or opportunity.

variable

A factor in an experiment that changes and may impact the experimental outcome.

testable hypothesis

A proposed explanation that can be affirmed or disproved based on scientific testing using the experimental design process.

independent variable

A variable that represents a quantity that is being manipulated in an experiment. The letter x is often the variable used to represent the independent variable in an equation.

dependent variable

A variable that represents a quantity whose value depends on how the independent variable is manipulated. The letter y is often the variable used to represent the dependent variable in an equation.

experimental controls

Controls used as the standards for comparison and providing baseline data. All experimental data is compared to the control data in order to determine if the independent variable has an effect.

positive control

Part of a well-designed experiment that shows scientists what a positive result will look like.

negative control

A component of an experiment demonstrating what a negative result looks like. Used as a comparison against positive results.

qualitative data

Data dealing with descriptors and characteristics, such as color, texture, odor, etc.

quantitative data

Data dealing with numbers, such as height, volume, length, time, temperature, etc.

composite material

A material made by combining two or more materials, often ones that have very different properties. The materials work together to give the composite unique properties. However, within the composite you can easily tell the different materials apart as they do not dissolve or blend into each other.

reliable

Consistently able to perform as expected.

durable

Able to maintain structure and function during a life span.

infill density

Percentage of an object that is solid material inside.

measurable

Able to be measured, quantifiable

stakeholder

An individual, group, or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project.

authoritative

Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable.

criteria

A means of judging. A standard, rule, or test by which something can be judged.

constraint

limitation or restriction

project manager

person responsible for coordinating activities of several departments for the completion of a specific project

problem decomposition

The process of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable problems.

critical path

The sequence of activities that represents the longest path through a project, which determines the shortest possible duration.

project charter

A document issued by the project initiator or sponsor that formally authorizes the existence of a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.

design brief

A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution.

project scope

The work performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions.

systems thinking

Understanding a system by examining the connections between the parts that compose the entirety of the system.

ergonomics

A systems approach for analyzing the physical interaction of the human worker with his/her work environment to maximize productivity, quality, usability, safety, health, and comfort.

work

Work (symbol W) is the energy transferred when a force F is applied to an object moving through a distance d.

effort force

An external force applied to an object.

resistance force

Impeding effect exerted by one material object on another.

simple machine

A mechanism that changes the direction or magnitude of a force.

magnitude

Greatness of size, strength, or importance

compound machine

A machine made up of two or more simple machines.

conceptual model

A visual representation of an idea. A conceptual model can be a sketch, concept map, schematic, flow chart, or any other visual representation.

biomechanics

The science of movement (or mechanics) of a living body, including how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement.

fulcrum

The point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots.

goniometer

An instrument for the precise measurement of angles

abstraction

(noun) The result of taking away or removing characteristics from something in order to reduce it to a set of essential characteristics. (verb) The process of taking away or removing characteristics from something in order to reduce it to a set of essential characteristics.

prototype

A working model used to test a design concept by making observations and necessary adjustments.

computer-aided design (CAD)

A process that uses a computer to assist in designing something, such as a part, circuit, or building.

additive method

A solid modeling design method where an object is created by adding volume to a smaller object.

subtractive method

A solid modeling design method where an object is created by subtracting volume from a larger object.

geometric primitives

The simplest two-dimensional or three-dimensional geometric shape.

rapid prototyping

A process for quickly constructing a scale model of a physical part or system using three-dimensional computer-aided design models.