Phase 5.4 - Final Design Challenge – Piper

CURRICULUM GUIDE / PHASE 5 / LESSON 5.4

FINAL DESIGN CHALLENGE

Lesson Time:
45 to 60 minutes

LESSON GOALS

 

Students will apply the Engineering Design Process they learned about in Phase 4 to redesign the Piper Computer Kit based on user-experience, environmental impact, and design principles.

LESSON RESOURCES

 

CAREER CONNECTIONS

 

Project Manager

Construction

Architect

Hardware Engineer

ESTABLISHED GOALS

As a final summary of their learning, students will design their own computer. They will take what they learned about the many components that make up a computer, as well as the environmental costs for making one.

 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.

Students will be able to create a blueprint for a computer.

 

2.

Students will be able to use the Engineering Design Process to solve a problem.

3.

Students will be able to create and deliver a professional sales presentation.

 

LESSON PREPARATIOn

 

  • Suggested student to Kit ratio is 2:1 up to 3:1. Assign students into groups of 2 or 3 and have them move to a place where they can use large paper.

  • Prepare enough medium or large format drawing paper (or other surfaces such as dry erase tables, poster and panels) and sticky notes, colored pencils or markers.

  • Prepare technology/materials for group presentations.

  • Prepare to show student presentations.

  • ​​Have your students complete the Post Self-Assessment shared with you following Piper professional development.

engage

Introduction (10-20 minutes)

  • Inform students that they will be creating the ideal computer. They must consider parts, environmental costs, and the Engineering Design Process. At the end of the lesson, students will present their prototype and pitch their idea as a group. These slides will help guide students.
explore

Main Activity (30-40 minutes)

  1. Plan, design, and test new Piper blueprint instructions.

    • Have students develop their own blueprint for building the Piper computer

    • Create a labeling system and a flow before drawing

    • Design and draw the blueprint on poster board with markers

    • Test their design with their classmates

  2. The process includes:

    • Prototype

    • Estimate costs

    • Consider user experience

    • Estimate environmental impact

    • Consider potential business partners

  3. Prepare sales pitch presentation.

EXPLAIN

Pitch Presentations (10-15 Minutes)

Groups will pitch their ideas with presentations.

ELABORATE

Engineering Design Process (5-7 Minutes)

Draw the blueprint.

EVALUATE

Closing/Reflection Activity (10-15 Minutes)

Provide students an opportunity to reflect using the following questions. Students should write two paragraphs in response.

  1. Explain to the best of your ability how computers work.

  2. Which skills did you use while learning with Piper?

  3. What can you create from this experience?

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​Use the last 5 minutes to have students complete the Piper Post Self-Assessment.