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A.M.10 | Design Thinking

Created by: Modular Robotics

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, students will be exposed to using the Design Process while keeping in mind the end user. This is not a hands-on lesson involving Cubelets. Instead, students will view a video.

The Basics:
Ages: 10 – 12 years (grades 4-6)
Time: 45 – 60 minutes
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Lesson Goal (for the educator): To introduce the concept of considering the needs of users in planning solutions to problems or needs.
Lesson Objectives (for the students): I will understand the importance of considering the end user when using the Engineering Design Process.
Essential Questions: What is an end user? Why is it important to think about the needs of users when designing a solution to a problem?
21st Century Skills: Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Concepts: Designing with the end user in mind
Vocabulary: User/end user, components, innovate, sustainability, resources
Required Cubelets: None needed
Additional Materials: Devices to project video and share the web page, Student Robotics Journals

Prior Knowledge Necessary for the Student:
Prior Knowledge Necessary: Using the Design Process in solving problems

Prior Knowledge for the Educator:

Preview the video and webpage.

Preparation:

Set up the necessary devices needed to show the video and the web page.

Lesson Plan Assets and Resources:

Click the button to download the Design Process Poster

Click the buttons to download the Robot Journal and Extra Journal Pages

Lesson:

Introduction:

“Let’s recap what we have learned about the Engineering Design Process.” Allow students to respond. You can have someone act as a scribe and take notes on the board or large paper.

    Time: 15-20 Minutes
  1. Show this video to recap what it means to use the design process – and to get kids excited about using their skills!
  2. Discuss the video and ask students what they learned that they could now apply to their work with Cubelets. See if anyone comes up with designing with the end user in mind. Maybe they will ask if the grocery-carrying cart could hold other objects – which might lead to them thinking about a cart younger kids could use and therefore would need to be fitted for a smaller bike. Or, what about someone who delivers newspapers – which might lead to thinking about being able to reach the papers while remaining on the bike.
  3. This should lead into a discussion about the end user. Ask the students if they have considered the user in any of their Cubelets designs, and, if so, how it changed their thinking about the design they were working on.
  4. “Today we will consider the end user.”
  5. Review the Objective and introduce/review the vocabulary.
Time to Explore
    Time: 15-20 Minutes
  1. Share the information on the website page: https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/plastic-bottle-schools/
  2. Show the video below and discuss the different materials used to fill the bottles in the Philippines and in Guatemala.
  3. Time: 5-10 Minutes
  4. Lead a discussion asking the students to discuss the following:
    • What problems are being solved by building these structures?
    • What types of engineers might have contributed their expertise in these designs?
    • Why do you think the engineers chose the material they used?
    • What were some of the innovative ways the engineers used the materials to construct the schools?
    • How is the solution they used to build a Bottle School in the Philippines the same as the Bottle School in Guatemala? What are some of the differences?
    • What were the criteria and constraints for these schools? What would the engineers need to know about the location, environment, materials?
    • So, what did the engineers need to keep in mind about the end users?
    Time: 2-3 Minutes
  5. “Let’s recap what we need to think about when designing a solution to a problem involving specific users:
    • What is the problem? What are the needs of the users?
    • Propose/brainstorm solutions keeping in mind the constraints and user requirements.
    • Check the design success by looking at the users and how they need to use the product and/or solve the solution.
    Time: 3-5 Minutes
  6. Give students time to record their thoughts about this lesson in their Robotics journal.

Closure/Evaluation
    Time: 2-3 Minutes
  1. “Let’s recap what we need to think about when designing a solution to a problem involving specific users:
    • What is the problem? What are the needs of the users?
    • Propose/brainstorm solutions keeping in mind the constraints and user requirements.
    • Check the design success by looking at the users and how they need to use the product and/or solve the solution.
    Time: 3-5 Minutes
  2. Give students time to record their thoughts about this lesson in their Robotics journal.

End Results:

Students will have an understanding of how to consider the end user in designing solutions to solve problems.

Extension Activities:

Why is it so important to consider the end user in the Engineering Design Process? Explain, using an example in a real life situation.

What to go to Next:
For More Review:
  • Review this lesson in a small group Design Thinking A.M.10
If Objectives are Met:
  • Criteria and Constraints A.M.11
To Enhance and Extend:
  • Criteria and Constraints A.M.11

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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