STEM Overview 5.

Mechanical Engineering: Develops and

tests machines, engines, turbines.
 Scientists: Investigate natural world. 6. Industrial Engineering: Improves
 Technologists: Apply science and math to efficiency in processes, integrates systems.
designs. 7. Computer Engineering: Develops
 Mathematicians: Use numbers and hardware and software for computer
symbols to solve problems. systems.
 Engineers: Create designed world using 8. Sanitary Engineering: Focuses on
science, technology, and math. sanitation, water supply, and waste
management.
Engineering as a Career 9. Petroleum Engineering: Involves the
production of oil and gas.
 Challenging and exciting. 10. Mechatronics Engineering: Integrates
 Application of science and math for mechanical, electrical, and computer
technical problem-solving. systems.
 Links scientific discoveries with 11. Instrumentation and Control
commercial applications to meet societal Engineering: Focuses on control systems
needs. and process variables.
 Defined by ABET as using math and 12. Food Engineering: Combines sciences for
natural sciences to benefit mankind. food production and commercialization.

What Engineers Do Other Engineering Disciplines

 Invent new products or processes.  Aerospace, Automotive, Ceramics,

 Innovate and improve existing Environmental, Materials, Manufacturing,
technologies. Mining, Nuclear, Transportation.
 Create, design, build, evaluate, and
analyze systems and processes. Engineering Functions

Qualities of Engineers  Research: Discover new principles.

 Development: Transform ideas into
 Curiosity: Desire to know how and why processes.
things work.  Design: Create links between concepts and
 Critical Thinking: Analyze and evaluate production.
information for decision-making.  Production & Testing: Manufacture and
 Creativity: Essential for innovation. assemble products.
 Communication: Clear verbal and written  Sales: Market engineering products.
skills for collaboration.  Operations: Maintain equipment and
 Collaboration: Work with cross- facilities.
functional teams.  Construction: Organize and supervise
construction processes.
Engineering Specializations  Management: Optimize resources.
 Education: Teach engineering principles.
 Consulting: Provide specialized
1. Civil Engineering: Focuses on
engineering services.
construction, roads, transportation systems.
2. Chemical Engineering: Works with
pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and
manufacturing.
3. Electrical Engineering: Designs electrical Industrial Engineering
products and systems like motors,
navigation systems.  Focuses on design, improvement, and
4. Electronics Engineering: Designs installation of integrated systems.
electronic, computer, and communication  Balances engineering and business
systems. disciplines.
  Known for flexibility, applicable to diverse 3. Reshaping Education: A tool for
industries. redesigning curricula and educational
 Specializes in improving efficiency, systems.
productivity, and eliminating waste.
 Core Belief: New and better solutions are
What Industrial Engineers Do possible, and you can create them.

 Design and improve production processes. Innovator’s Mindset

 Increase efficiency and productivity.
 Manage systems to eliminate waste of  ACT!: Be problem solvers, doers, and
time, money, and resources. creators.
 Work across various sectors, including  Learn from Mistakes: Fail fast, learn
manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. from each attempt.
 Work Together: Collaborate for better
Introduction to Design Thinking solutions.
 Contribute to the Greater Good:
 Adopted by leading brands like Google, Improve the community and world.
Apple, Samsung.  Be Resilient: Persistence is key.
 Design Thinking: A creative, iterative  Grow: Embrace life-long learning.
process to solve complex, ill-defined
problems by understanding human needs Design Thinking Process Overview
and reframing them.
 Key features:  Starts with the user/community to
o Focuses on creativity and user- identify real issues through interviews and
centered design. observation.
o Builds a broad range of ideas  Brainstorming: Generate innovative
during brainstorming. ideas.
o Applies a hands-on approach  Prototyping: Create simple, testable
through prototyping and testing. prototypes for feedback.
 Testing: Involves real users to evaluate
Characteristics of Design Thinking solutions and refine ideas.

 Design Methodology: A more creative Stanford d.school Design Thinking

and user-centered approach compared to Process
traditional methods.
 Problem-Solving Approach: Best for 1. Emphasize:
addressing “wicked” problems (ill-defined o Conduct interviews, shadow users,
or tricky). and seek to understand their needs
 Creativity Approach: Encourages idea without judgment.
generation before narrowing down options. o Ask: Who are we designing for?
 User-Centered: Deep focus on What are their problems?
understanding customer needs to guide 2. Define:
problem-solving. o Create user personas, identify pain
o Applied across fields, including points, objectives, challenges, and
education and industry. insights.
o Begins with knowing the o Clearly state users’ needs and
customer’s unmet needs. problems.
3. Ideate:
Key Strategies in Design Thinking o Share all ideas, encourage
brainstorming without judgment,
1. Problem-Solving Strategies: Offers and challenge assumptions.
innovative approaches to problems. o Prioritize solutions through
2. Encouraging Creativity: Provides space divergent and convergent thinking.
for creative exploration. 4. Prototype:
 o Create mockups and storyboards. learning from failure. This helps uncover new
o Keep it simple, fail fast, iterate possibilities and ultimately achieve a great
quickly. solution.
o Build simple, testable prototypes.
5. Test:
o Role play, test with real users, and
gather feedback. Steps in the Engineering Design Process
o Iterate and refine solutions based
on feedback. 1. Ask: Identify the Need & Constraints
o Define the problem: What issue needs
Developing Empathy with the Community to be solved? Who has the problem?
o Identify the goals: Why is it important
 Observation and Interviews: Use the to solve?
POEMS framework to structure o Define constraints: These could
observations. include limitations such as budget,
o People: Who’s involved? What time, materials, environmental
roles do they play? impact, and project requirements.
o Objects: What objects are
significant? How do people engage 2. Research the Problem
with them? o Gather information about the
o Environment: Where is the action problem.
happening? What is the mood or o This includes interviews, surveys, or
atmosphere? discussions with people related to the
problem.
o Messages: What communication
o Investigate existing technologies and
methods are in use (signage, apps,
solutions that may be adaptable.
etc.)?
o Services: What support systems
3. Imagine: Develop Possible Solutions
are available (e.g., library services,
o Brainstorm a wide range of ideas.
registration)?
Encourage creativity and build on
others' suggestions.
POEMS Framework (for Empathy) o Generate as many solutions as
possible without judging them
 Context: Who, where, when, and why? initially.
 Insights: What have you learned about the o Focus on collaboration and team-
target users? based creativity. This step mirrors the
 Challenges: Identify pain points and "Ideate" stage in Design Thinking.
obstacles.
 Opportunities: Explore new possibilities 4. Plan: Select a Promising Solution
and opportunities. o Review the brainstormed ideas and
 Perspectives: Rethink your design consider the feasibility of each.
challenge based on insights. o Reassess the needs and constraints
(e.g., materials, costs, time,
Module 3: Engineering Design Process environmental factors).
o Compare options and choose the best
The engineering design process is a systematic solution based on analysis.
and iterative approach used by engineering teams o Create a plan for implementation,
to create inventions or improve existing systems. assigning team roles and tasks.
Inventions come from combining technologies to
meet human needs or solve problems. 5. Create: Build a Prototype
o Develop a working model or
Overview of the Engineering Design prototype of the solution.
Process o Prototypes don’t need to be the final
version and can be made from
The process is iterative, meaning it repeats in different materials for testing
cycles, refining the design based on feedback and purposes.
 o Prototyping helps engineers visualize
the solution and identify areas
needing refinement.

6. Test and Evaluate Prototype

o Test the prototype in real conditions
to see if it meets the identified need.
o Gather feedback on how well it works
and identify areas for improvement.
o Communicate findings with the team
to inform the next iteration.

7. Improve: Redesign as Needed

o Based on test results and feedback,
refine and improve the design.
o Iterate the process to continually
enhance the solution until it best
meets the objectives.