Transcript Document

What is an
Engineer?
An engineer is someone who
practices engineering. Duh.
Minnesota Transportation Museum
http://www.mtmuseum.org/
Engineering is "the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical
and natural sciences . . . is applied with judgment to develop ways to use
economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind" (en.wiktionary.com).
There are many, many, many different branches of engineering including:
aerospace, agricultural, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer,
software, electrical, environmental, fire protection, genetic, industrial,
instrumentation, materials, mechanical, manufacturing, mining,
naval, nuclear, structural, transportation . . .
and many more. And these all have subspecialties which are large areas
in their own right.
One View of the
Engineering Design Process
http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/2001/standards/strand4.html
ASK:
What is the problem?
What have others done?
What are the constraints?
IMAGINE:
What are some solutions?
Brainstorm ideas.
Choose the best one.
PLAN:
Draw a diagram.
Make lists of materials you will
need.
CREATE:
Follow your plan and create it.
Test it out!
IMPROVE:
Another View of the
Engineering Design
Process
Talk about what works, what
doesn't, and what could
work better.
Modify your design to make it
better.
Test it out!
Engineering is Elementary,
http://www.mos.org/eie/
Some Design Considerations
• How long will it take to design
and manufacture?
• How much will it cost to make?
• How much can we charge for
it?
• Can we sell enough to recover
the development costs?
• How well does it have to work?
• Is it aesthetically pleasing?
• How hard is it to manufacture?
• Does it require expensive
materials?
• Are there supply chain
concerns?
• How hard is it to test?
• How reliable will it be? How
long should it last?
• Does it need to be easy to
repair?
• Is it expensive to ship?
• How much power does it
consume?
• Environmental lifecycle: What
are the environmental impacts
of manufacturing it? Using it?
Disposing of it?
• Are there ethical/social/cultural
issues?
• Is it safe? Are there liability
issues?
• Will it be expensive to
support?
• How does it compare with
the alternatives? (that is, the
competition. . . )