Problem+Solving

Problem Solving is a very important skill for Engineering students to learn. In this lesson students will research and build a mousetrap car to travel 20ft under its own power. We will use the design process in order to solve the problem of making the mousetrap car travel 20ft. A mousetrap car is a good project to show students how potential and kinetic energy works as well as using the design process.
 * Mousetrap Cars**
 * Planning:**
 * Allow students to draw ideas that they have for a mousetrap car.(1-2 days)
 * Give students websites that may be helpful for research on what makes a good mousetrap car (1day)
 * Students are required to bring in materials to build mousetrap car.
 * Give students suggestions such as CD's for wheels if they are very lost
 * Build Mousetrap Car (15 days)
 * Note while students build make sure they are aware of of far 20 ft is. You can do this by putting tape on the ground for how far they need to get the car to travel.
 * Testing of Mousetrap cars (1-2 Days)

· defining a problem · brainstorming · researching and generating ideas · identifying criteria and specifying constraints · exploring possibilities · selecting an approach · developing a design proposal · making a model or prototype · testing and evaluating the design using specifications · refining the design · creating or making it · communicating processes and results International Technology Education Association (ITEA). (2002). //Standards for technological literacy//. pp. 97
 * Design Process**

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