Engineering in Action: An Introduction to Engineering Design

In this one hour workshop, we'll explore how engineers solve problems. Students will leave the workshop with an understanding of some thinking tools that engineers use when solving real-world problems. 

We'll begin with reflecting on how engineers think about problems before introducing thinking tools used by engineers. Then we'll put engineering to work as we design a good playground. During our class time, we will complete an initial conceptual design for our playground as we think about how engineers create playgrounds with and for communities. 

Students will gain appreciation for how engineers get started on a real-world project as they reflect on the difference between good design and not-so-good design. Additionally, students will be challenged to think about how they use engineering design principles already and identify at least one new engineering design principle to put into practice.

Students will have the opportunity to sketch or prototype their playground ideas during our workshop to put their new knowledge into practice. Many students like to continue developing their playground design after the workshop concludes as the goal of the workshop is to expose learners to engineering design in the real world.