Introduction
How do engineers move from imagination to reality with a new product? It's a
long process with many complex steps. Eventually engineers end up with models.
Product design models make for flashy presentations. But the ability to create
a tangible working model—a prototype—from the design is what allows the
proper evaluation of a product. Engineers use prototypes to generate data that
help perfect the final product. Usually it takes more than one try to get it
right. This step of the product design process is essential to preproduction.
Students can develop an understanding of the role of prototypes while they do
just what engineers do: Brainstorm, sketch early design ideas, think about
materials to use, build a design, test it, and build it again.
Hone in on just the prototype development step of the design process with these
online resources for students: lessons and activities, student project steps
related to prototyping, and background information. All of these resources will
help you meet the ITEA standards as you encourage your students to test,
retest, test, retest, test…until they get it right! |
Used with permission of the International
Technology Education Association (ITEA). |
by Quentin Briggs, formerly of ENC Instructional Resources
Quentin Briggs was a technology education content
specialist at ENC. He has nine years of technology teaching experience at the
middle school level and four years experience as an industry professional in
the area of training and development.
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Copyright
November 2004 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work
supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Science Foundation.
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This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
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