Produced by the Howard County Public School System Ellicott City, MD 21042

Adapted from the New Hampshire Technology Education Association Design Portfolio

The Design Loop

People, tools, machines, Information, energy, time, Capital and materials.

FEEDBACK LOOP
6. Monitor Results Test, analyze, data 7. Compare- actual & desired results

1.

Define the Problem

Design and build a free standing machine that can deliver 8 to 12 pinto beans into the hand of a customer.

2. Set Goals and Desired Results

Criteria:. Free standing / self-supporting

Constraints: Built from available resources

Needs a mechanism that will deliver 8-12 beans.

Must be reliable hold 1 cup of beans

Cannot be attached to table

3. Research and Investigation

Has the problem been solved before? Yes ______ No ______

If yes, how can you apply the information to your solution? Include material and mechanisms or devices in you answer. If no, then include the materials and mechanisms or devices that you would use to solve the problem.

List the information you found useful in researching a solution to the problem. Include websites, articles, pictures and/or other resources.

3a. Brainstorm Ideas

3a. Brainstorm Ideas

4. Select Your Best Idea

4a. What is Your Reason for Choosing this Design?

5. Developmental Work (drawing space)

5a. Tools, Processes and Materials

Record the various tools, processes, and materials you will employ to achieve your solution. Your teacher will want to check each step.

6. Monitor Results Test/Analyze/Collect Data

When the solution to the problem is completed, evaluate it to see if it actually solved the problem you defined. Write a brief statement explaining how you evaluated and tested your solution.

7. Compare Actual Results to Desired Results

8. Changes and Adjustments

Self-Evaluation: What Do You Think?

Whats the Big Idea? What are the concepts and understandings from the areas of technology, math, and science that influenced the success of my project? Who might use your design? What applications would your design have? The things that I like about my design are The things that disappointed me about my design are If I could change my design, I would improve it by What name would you give to your product? Explain your reasons for selecting this name. Think about the process that you used to develop a solution to a problem. What steps would you change, if any? If you would not make changes in the process, explain why the process is a good one. How does the information in your charts, graphs, etc., support your conclusions about your design?

Assessment Grids