Today, we discussed the idea that when we want to engineer something, it is best to develop a design plan.  Simply using resources to build something that is needed without first developing a plan can waste valuable resources and time by having to rely on trial and error.  

We identified that the design process is iterative (meaning that it is a cyclical process) and that designs are never finished being adapted to try and make them better.  The steps to the design process are as follows:

1. Identify a problem.
2. Create an idea to solve the problem.
3. Conduct literature research to learn the background of the idea.
4. Develop a design plan.
5. Build a prototype of the design.
6. Test the prototype.
7. Collect performance data.
8. Evaluate the data.
9. Repeat steps 1-9, as needed, to reach an acceptable level of performance.

To begin practicing with this method, we discussed an upcoming assignment for designing catapults. Many of us were excited to get the materials and get working on it. However, the first parts of the task were to do steps 1-3.  We are all currently doing some research into how catapults and other ancient war machines were designed, that way we don't have to re-invent the entire machine.  More to come on this project in the near future.

Students used the Internet to identify the following examples of amazing engineering in our modern world.

• The World's Fastest Roller Coaster
• The World's Tallest Building
• The World's Longest Highway
• The World's Longest Bridge
• The World's Oldest Amusement Park

Today, we began researching the project intended to be started during our previous class.  However, it was not without challenges.  As it turns out, the COWs (computers on wheels) were still not functioning properly and most would not access the network.  That's OK, though. Our wonderful Educational Technologist, Ms. Oliver, worked her wonders and got us up an going on other computers and got us going on our search for amazing modern examples of engineering.

Today we experienced the marvel of engineering first-hand.  Actually, we experienced the frustration of diminished expectations first hand.  I had planned on getting every student in the class up and running with their student computer accounts (which was successful) and then having them do an Internet research project looking for some fun and amazing examples of engineering in the world.  However, the laptop computers were acting up today - I am supposing that they did not feel ready to get back to work.  None of the computers had updated Internet Explorer, so they were not functioning properly.  To add to the frustration, one computer actually had its mousepad burn out - not just stop working - it actually overheated, melted the plastic of the computer, and gave off a smell of (as the student operating the computer described) "burnt popcorn with way too much butter." Jokingly, of course, many of us told him that you cannot have "too much" butter on popcorn.

Since we didn't get much accomplished on the planned work, we will be continuing with that activity on Thursday.