Engineering Lesson 1:
The Engineering Design Process

Introduction

Engineering isn't just about building; it's about solving problems. The Engineering Design Process (EDP) is a series of steps that guides engineering teams as they solve problems.

1. Define & Imagine

First, engineers define the problem: What needs to be solved? Who is it for? Then, they brainstorm as many ideas as possible.

Exercise: Problem Definition

Imagine you need to build a bridge for a local park. What is your primary goal?



2. Plan & Create

During this stage, you pick one idea, list materials, and build a prototype (a preliminary version of the device).

Exercise: Material Selection

Select a material for your bridge prototype and see the trade-off:

3. Test & Improve

Testing helps find weaknesses. If the prototype fails, engineers don't quit—they iterate (improve) the design and try again.

Exercise: Stress Test Simulation

Click the button to simulate a weight test on your design:

Ready for testing...

AI Design Assistant

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