Enough with the talking, let's build something! In the fifth step in the engineering design process, young engineers build a prototype to test their ideas. The lesson walks them through the process of evaluating it step-by-step. Groups build, test, redesign, and repeat until they are satisfied or until the class is out of time.  

Concepts

design, engineering design, product design, manufacturing, prototypes, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask for items to be donated from hardware stores, or send out a letter to parents asking for some of the materials

Classroom Considerations

• The lesson suggests taking a minimum of two hours, but planning for a full week would be better
• This is fifth in a six-lesson unit on the engineering design process
• Maintain student groups from previous lessons

Pros

• Explains the difference between a model and a prototype 
• Includes assessment activities

Cons

• None