Ingenious Innovators: Advancing the Engineering Design Process (Part 2)
Monday, Oct 14, 2024
The Ingenious Innovators: Advancing the Engineering Design Process (Part 2) workshop is a continuation of our series designed to further STEM educators' knowledge and skills in the engineering design process. This highly interactive workshop covers key aspects of Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, and Mechanical Engineering, each linked to specific science standards. The day begins with practical strategies for implementing the engineering design process, followed by an in-depth exploration of aerospace engineering principles such as lift and drag. Teachers will engage in the design and experimentation of airfoils and undertake a model rocket challenge, cultivating a deeper understanding of forces in flight. The workshop then transitions into the world of Robotics, focusing on sensors and circuits. Participants will explore Light/IR Sensors, Thermocouples/Thermal Sensors, and get hands-on with a robotic build and drive activity, demonstrating sensors in action. After a lunch break, we dive into the field of Mechanical Engineering. Topics include the study of pulleys and gears, car crash mechanics, data graphing, frictional forces, and a practical engineering design challenge under the theme "Need a Lift?". The workshop concludes with a reflection period, allowing educators to connect the day's activities to classroom applications. This workshop aligns with several key science standards including SC.6.N.1.4, SC.6.N.1.5, SC.6.P.13.3, SC.6.N.3.3, and SC.6.P.12.1, discussing and comparing methods, recognizing creativity in science, investigating the impact of unbalanced forces on objects, exploring examples of scientific laws, and graphing distance versus time for objects moving at a constant speed. Through active engagement, participants will gain a stronger understanding of the engineering design process and its application across multiple disciplines, further enhancing their STEM teaching capabilities.