Design Thinking & Engineering Process

Step 1: ASK - Identify the needs, criteria, and constraints (critical thinking)

Engineers ask critical questions about what they want to create. These questions include: What is the problem to solve? What do we want to design? Who is it for? What do we want to accomplish? What are the project requirements? What are the limitations? What is our goal?

Step 2: Research - Research the problem (communication)

This includes talking to people from many different backgrounds and specialties to assist with researching what products or solutions already exist, or what technologies might be adaptable to your needs.

• Discuss with your peers the shapes that will support the apple

Step 3: Imagine - Imagine the possible solutions (creativity)

With a team, brainstorm ideas and develop as many solutions as possible.

• Discuss with your group all possible ideas, each individual should do a quick sketch of their idea

Step 4: Plan - Select a promising solution (collaboration)

Revisit the needs, constraints and research from the earlier steps, compare your best ideas, select one solution and make a plan to move forward with it.

• Come to decision about the plan you will move forward with

Step 5: Create - Create a prototype

Building a prototype makes your ideas real! These early versions of the design solution help your team verify whether the design meets the original challenge objectives. 15 minute timer & 25 minute timer

• Build it!

Step 6: Test - Try it

Does it work? Does it solve the need? Communicate the results and get feedback. Analyze and talk about what works, what doesn't and what could be improved.

• Test it by placing the apple on it, measure it

Step 7: Improve - Redesign as needed

Discuss how you could improve your solution. Make revisions. Draw new designs. Iterate your design to make your product the best it can be.

• Redesign if needed