Teach Engineering: Design Steps 5 and 6: Create and Test a Prototype

Students learn about the importance of creating and testing prototypes during the engineering design process. They start by building prototypes, which is a special type of model used to test new design ideas. Students gain experience using a variety of simple building materials, such as foam core board, balsa wood, cardstock and hot glue. They present their prototypes to the class for user testing and in the following activity create prototype iterations based on feedback. (Note: Conduct this activity in the context of a design project that students are working on; this activity reflects Step 5 and Step 6 in a series of seven steps that guide students through the engineering design loop.)