Urgency and Authenticity
The problem must meet a real need but the design solution should not be needed urgently.
Physical Constraints (materials, size, etc.)
This is not a concern. In Design Technology we have 3 fully fitted workshops, a laser cutting machine, a CNC Miller and lathe, a range of3D printers, electronics, and programmable electronics equipment, a 'modeling materials' Makerspace, many CAD drawing experts, and much more! If you can design it, we can help students find out how to best manufacture, prototype, or model it. If it is a re-design of a building, for example, the end solution/iteration might be a computer-drawn world that you walk through using VR or a scaled-down architectural model.
Time Constraints
Please don't exclude a problem thinking it might take too long or not long for our students to solve. Different grade levels will take on different types of problems and the length of a project will be defined by the problem itself, the length of time a student has to solve it, or the students' ability. Not all projects will be solved to a fully developed manufactured product stage.
Knowledge
The students' prior knowledge should not be a concern either. We will teach the students the appropriate skills to solve their problems, once they have decided what their solution might be. This is part of the problem-solving and inquiry-based structure of Design Technology projects. The design cycle is the common core that runs throughout every project and grade level.
People
Ideally, there will be good continued communication between the client and student. This could be in the form of an interview, face-time chat, email, or questionnaire. Meaningful collaborations allow our young designers to 'fully understand the problem and the needs of the user' and are integral to the design process.
The problem should provide clear opportunities for others to give feedback.
Difficulty
Please, don't exclude a problem thinking it might be too difficult or easy, for our students. Students can take Design Technology courses from Grades 6 through 12, so we are looking for problems that might appeal to a wide range of age groups and abilities. IB Design Technology, Higher and Standard levels, also 'design to meet a need' for their major project.
Cycle of Improvement
The problem allows the "cycle of improvement" or "test and evaluation process" to play itself out many times and lends itself well to many improvements, refinements, and iterations.