The engineering process is the series of steps taken by individuals (engineers or developers, scientists, etc.) to create a solution or product. These products or solution are used in daily life and may solve issues that users or consumers experience.
The students begin the process by defining and researching the problem. They also identify any requirements that have to be met. They brainstorm ideas and look at what others have done in order to solve the problem.
They then choose the best solution from their list and build a working prototype. This step shows students that they have accomplished a lot and they can see their idea turn into a real solution.
After building their prototypes, students test them to see if the work as expected. The prototypes can be used to improve their designs.
Before they can have a finished design, they will probably go through several different prototypes. This iterative method teaches designers that they should never stop trying to improve the design.
No matter if your students choose to be engineers or not, they can still use the engineering process to solve problems in their everyday lives. They can apply their skills to any project they choose, from making sneakers to building skyscrapers.
