Engineer Design Process Vocab

Vocabulary cards detailing the steps of the paper airplane engineering design lab and key concepts of the iterative engineering design process.

Paper Airplane Lab Goal

To create a paper airplane that flies as straight and as far as possible.

Step 1: Research

The first step of the project where students use the internet to research how to build paper airplanes and take notes on paper without building anything.

Step 2: Initial Designs

Designing and making $3$ different types of paper airplanes using research, naming each airplane, and documenting each design with a photo.

Step 3: Initial Design Data

Testing each of the $3$ paper airplanes outside $5$ times without do-overs to record distance in meters ($\text{m}$) and straightness ($\text{Y/N}$).

Step 4: Choose a Design

Deciding which of the $3$ airplane designs to use for the challenge based on collected test data.

Step 5: Design Data

Testing the chosen airplane outside again and completing a T-chart with at least $2$ ideas per column detailing what the plane does well and what needs improvement.

Step 6: Modifications

Remaking the paper airplane $5$ times while trying a different single modification on each plane to test its impact on performance.

Engineering Design Process - Define the Problem

The stage of identifying the core goal or challenge to be solved.

Engineering Design Process - Plan Solutions

The stage of researching and brainstorming potential options to address the defined challenge.

Engineering Design Process - Make a Model

The stage of building functional physical prototypes or initial designs.

Engineering Design Process - Test the Model

The stage of putting prototypes through experimental trials to collect performance data.

Engineering Design Process - Reflect and Redesign

The stage of analyzing trial data to identify strengths and make systematic modifications to optimize performance.

Criteria

The requirements, goals, or desired features that a successful engineering solution must achieve.

Constraints

The real-world limits or restrictions on a design, such as materials, cost, time, and safety guidelines.

Prototype

A preliminary, testable model built to evaluate a design concept and gather operational data.

Iteration

The process of repeating design steps to continuously refine and improve a product or solution.

Trade-off

A design choice where one benefit is sacrificed to gain another desirable advantage.

Modifications

Individual changes made to a prototype to enhance functionality, durability, or overall performance.