What is Engineering?

Meeting today’s challenges and creating tomorrow’s future by practically applying

scientific knowledge.

Isn’t engineering the same thing as science?No!!

Engineering

Using technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical

problems.

ScienceThe study of our natural world through observation, identification, description,

experimental investigation and theoretical explanations.

Discovers The World That Exists.

Creates The World That Never Was.

-Theodore Von Karman

EngineersPeople who

are trained in and use

technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical

problems.

What is Engineering?Using technological and scientific knowledge…

Science explains how

a magnet works.

What is Engineering?…to solve practical problems.

Engineering uses a magnet to be able to

see inside the human body.

What is Engineering?Using technological and scientific knowledge…

Science explains how

we can capture images on a

camera.

What is Engineering?…to solve practical problems.

Engineering creates a pill that has a camera to take pictures of

the human digestive tract.

What is Engineering?…to solve practical problems.

Engineering created a table

saw that can cut through wood, yet

will stop immediately if it hits human flesh.

Can You Think of Any Other

Examples?

Engineering Disciplines• Aerospace• Mechanical• Computer• Electrical• Civil• Environmental• Chemical

• Industrial• Biomedical• Nuclear• Materials• And More

What is an Engineering Technician?

A worker that is highly trained to perform specific tasks and generally

follow procedures developed by engineers.

What’s the difference?

• 4-5 year Bachelor’s Degree

• $70,000-$100,000 average salary

• Designs, Invents, Improves- Supervisor

Engineer Engineering Technician

• 2 year Associate’s Degree

• $45,000 - $60,000 average salary

• Hands-on; Works for an Engineer

What is an Artisan?

A skilled manual worker • Artisans do primarily hands-on work.• Artisans are usually paid hourly; not

by salary.• Artisans follow procedures and plans

designed by engineers.

Ergonomics

How humans interact with man-made objects. The goal of

ergonomics is to create and environment that is well-suited

to a user’s physical needs.

Footprint

The area covered by something, such as

machinery or equipment

Engineers Design Solutions

What does design mean?

-to create a plan for the construction of an object or a

system; invent

Engineers Follow A Process

The Engineering Design Process is a step-by-step problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions and

then choose the best one.

The Engineering Design Process

Step 1- ASK

What is the problem?What exactly are you being

asked to do?

Step 1- ASK

What are the requirements?

What MUST your solution do?(Be a certain size? Hold a certain

amount of weight?)

Step 1- ASKWhat are the constraints?

A constraint is a limit to the design process. It may be things

such as appearance, funding, space, material, and/or human

capabilities.

Step 2- IMAGINE

Brainstorm IdeasBrainstorming is a method of

shared problem solving in which all members of the group

spontaneously generate ideas in an unrestricted discussion

Step 2- IMAGINEChoose the Best IdeaDiscuss your ideas. Determine if they meet the requirements and constraints. Then use a Decision Matrix to compare each idea and

decide which one is the best.

Decision Matrix

A tool for systematically ranking alternatives

according to a specific set of criteria

Option-List the things that are good about this design.

List the things that are not so good about this design.

Design Matrix

Option 1- A tripodList the things that are good about this design.

• Uses less paper

List the things that are not so good about this design.• Hard to balance the

book on top• Legs might slide

apart

Example Design MatrixPaper Table Challenge

Option 2- Four Tubes- one at each cornerList the things that are good about this design.

• Will support the book evenly

• Shouldn’t slide apart

List the things that are not so good about this design.• Uses more paper

Example Design MatrixPaper Table Challenge

Step 3- PLANDraw Your Design

Create a detailed drawing that clearly shows what your solution will

look like. This should include the exact criteria for your design.

Criteria

Criteria is the desired specifications(elements or features) of a product or

system.

Step 3- PLAN

Gather Your MaterialsMake sure you have everything

you will need to create your design.

Step 4- CREATE

Follow Your PlanUse your drawings and materials to actually build, create, prepare,

etc. your design.

Step 4- CREATE

Test It OutTry it and analyze the outcome.

Analyze

Analyze means to examine carefully and in

detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.

Step 5- IMPROVEDoes it meet the requirements?

If not, begin the process again to find a solution to this problem. If

so, begin the process again to make it better.

Step 5- IMPROVEDoes it meet the

constraints?If not, begin the process again to find a solution to this problem. If

so, begin the process again to make it better.

Step 5- IMPROVEWhat changes can you make to improve your

design?Engineers are ALWAYS trying to improve their design! They are

NEVER “Finished!”