Student Name: ________________________ Student Resource 1.4
Back Pack Design Challenge: Design Brief
Background:
Pinch Forces Required to Complete Tasks
Many people have hand surgery each year. Even teenagers injure themselves during sports activities and need to have hand surgery. Some people do not regain full function of their hands.
Researchers have identified the amount of force needed to complete simple tasks. Force on an object causes an object to move. Researchers are calling these forces “pinch forces.” The pinch force refers to the force needed to hold or grip an object. Examples of forces
measured include the force needed to insert a plug into a wall socket.
The scientists and technologists measure these forces and can predict the success or failure of a device based on the data. Pinch force requirements ranged from 1.4 N to push a button on a remote to 31.4 N to insert a plug into an outlet. Many tasks required less than 10.5 N of force to be completed.
Pinch Forces Reference:
http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/ilives/womeninventors.html Exploring the history of women inventors reference:
http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/ilives/womeninventors.html
Problem: Your challenge is to use the engineering design process to design a backpack for a physically challenged student in Grade 7.
Specifications (additional criteria and constraints): You should use recycled materials to construct your device.
Websites:
1. Forces: http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/ch4/ch4.htm
2. Ode to the Zipper: http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/ode-to-the-zipper/
3. Physical Science Study Guide:
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/50912510383649/lib/50912510383649/Chapter_8_ Study_Guide_Science.pdf
4. University of Colorado Active Simulations http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/mass-spring-lab/mass-spring-lab_en.html
5. Using Spring Scales http://www.exo.net/~pauld/activities/physics/springscales.html
Procedure: You will need to conduct research before you design and construct your
backpack. Consult the information on Pinch Forces below and the list of suggested websites to begin your research.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate your work: Engineering Design Process and Specifications
Category Below Target At Target Above Target
Problem problem with
limited clarity. problem clearly. clearly and precisely. Brainstorming Contributes few or implausible ideas. Contributes a plausible idea. Contributes multiple plausible ideas.
Researching and Generating ideas Contributes ideas, but without documented research. Produces incomplete
sketches. Does not present a concept.
Contributes one plausible idea based on documented research. Produces marginally accurate pictorial and orthographic sketches of design concepts.
Contributes multiple plausible ideas based on documented research. Produces accurate pictorial and
orthographic sketches of design concepts.
Identifying Criteria and Specifying Constraints
Does not restate the criteria clearly and fails to identify constraints.
Restates the criteria clearly and identifies several constraints.
Restates the criteria clearly and precisely and identifies many
constraints.
Exploring Possibilities
Inadequately analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions.
Satisfactorily analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions.
Thoroughly analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions.
Selecting an Approach
Selection of solution is not based on
consideration of criteria and constraints.
Selects a promising solution based on criteria and constraints.
Selects a promising solution based on a thorough analysis of criteria and constraints.
Developing a Design Proposal
Design proposal is inadequate and lacking pertinent information.
Design proposal is adequate,
containing all pertinent elements.
Design proposal is accurate and comprehensive.
Making a Model or Prototype
Prototype meets the task criteria to a limited extent.
Prototype meets the task criteria.
Prototype meets the task criteria in insightful ways. Testing and Evaluating the Design using Specifications Testing and evaluation processes are inadequate. Testing and evaluation processes are adequate for refining the problem solution.
Testing processes are innovative.
Refining the Design
Refinement based on testing and evaluation is not evident.
Refinements made based on testing and evaluation results.
Significant improvement in the design is made based on prototype testing and evaluation. Creating or Making
It
supporting evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria.
evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria.
supporting evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria.
Continue with design brief specs here
Engineering Design Process Folio
Name Group
Members
Date Started Due Date
1. Define the Problem
What need or want must be met by the solution?
2. Brainstorming
In the space provided, sketch three possible solutions to the given problem. Remember to be creative!
Sketch #4
3. Researching and Generating Ideas
In the space below, document your research. Be sure to include proper citations at the end of your notes.
4. Identifying Criteria and Specifying Constraints
What are the criteria and constraints?
Materials List
5. Exploring Possibilities
6. Selecting an Approach
a. Enter the constraints of the project in the first column.
b. Score each sketch for each constraint. + = 3 pts., √=2 pts., - = 1 pt. c. Total the columns and circle the highest score.
Constraint Sketch 1 Sketch 2 Sketch 3
Total
7. Developing a Design Proposal
Take your highest-scoring sketch and create working drawings (sketches with
8. Making a Model or Prototype
9. Testing and Evaluating the Design, Using Specifications
As you create your solution, you will perform tests to make sure that the solution is meeting the needs of the given problem. If you solution does not work, you may need to repeat the previous steps of the Engineering Design Process, until you find a functional design. In the space below, document the type of test you conducted and the results.
Test Performed Test Results
10. Refining the Design
Based on your tests, propse refinements to the design and construction of the design problem in the space below.
11. Creating or Making It
If time allows, modify your model/prototype as proposed in refining the design. What additional steps would be necessary to produce this solution for mass-market
production?
12. Communicating Processes and Results
Assessment Instrument – Oral Presentation
Category Below Target At Target Above Target
Organiza-tion Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around.
Student presents information in logical sequence that audience can follow.
Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence that audience can follow. Subject
Knowledge Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions.
Student is at ease with expected answers to all questions, but fails to elaborate.
Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) by answering all class questions with explanations and elaboration. Graphics Student occasionally
uses graphics that rarely support text and
presentation.
Student's graphics relate
to text and presentation. Student's graphics explain and reinforce screen text and presentation.
Mechanics Presentation has three or more misspellings and/or grammatical errors.
Presentation has no more than two misspellings and/or grammatical errors.
Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.
Eye Contact
Student occasionally uses eye contact, but still reads most of report.
Student maintains eye contact most of the time but frequently returns to notes.
Student maintains eye contact with audience, seldom returning to notes.
Elocution Student's voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing
presentation.
Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation.
