How do I build a Ferris Wheel?  Engineers use a process called the Engineering Design Process. Similar to the Scientific Method, this process gives Engineers a guideline on how they move through the brainstorming, planning, building, and testing process.  Use this process to design your first Ferris Wheel in the challenges below! 

You can download this Engineering Design Process worksheet to help you remember the steps.  Check out the two design challenges below to practice the Engineering Design Process and building a model of your Ferris Wheel.  As you build and test your prototype, you will need to make adjustments. 

Reflection Questions:

• Did you succeed in creating a "big wheel" that could turn?  If not, why did it fail?

• Did you need to request additional or different shapes of pasta while building the wheel?  If so, what happened between the design (drawing) and the actual construction that changed your material needs?

• Do you think that engineers have to adapt their original plans during the manufacturing process?  Why might they?  

• How did the spokes affect the wheel's turning capability?

• What you might do differently next time?

• Do you think you would have been able to complete this project alone?  Explain.

Design Challenge Two - popsicle stick Ferris Wheel

Activity from Icon Park's Wheel Works with ICON Park's Three Pat Blog series:  https://iconparkorlando.com/wheel-works-with-icon-park/; https://iconparkorlando.com/wheel-works-with-icon-park-science-of-the-spin-part-2/; https://iconparkorlando.com/wheel-works-with-icon-park-the-wheel-part-3/  

Reflection Questions:

• Did you succeed in creating a "big wheel" that could turn?  If not, why did it fail?

• Did you need to adjust the popsicle stick sizes while building the wheel?  If so, what happened between the design (drawing) and the actual construction that changed your material needs?

• Do you think that engineers have to adapt their original plans during the manufacturing process?  Why might they?  

• What you might do differently next time?

• Do you think you would have been able to complete this project alone?  Explain.