Activity 1.7 What Is It?

Introduction
Engineering and design require creativity and the ability to problem solve. You must
be able to gather new information, continually learn, and apply what you know to
new situations. Engineers try to think outside the box in order to solve new problems
or find ways to improve current solutions. In this activity you will act as an engineer
and provide an explanation and evaluation of a product that you have hypothetically
designed.

Equipment

Engineering notebook
Pencil

Procedure
Assume that you are an engineer that has developed a preliminary design for an
important problem. Write and present an explanation and evaluation of your design.
1. Choose one of the designs represented in the four images presented by your
instructor (and reproduced as follows) as YOUR design.
2. Think about the object in the image and the problem that it may solve. Answer
the following questions.

What is it?

What problem does it solve?

What criteria were used to guide the design?

What are the most important features of the design? What features allow it
to perform its intended purpose?

How does your product affect society and the environment?

3. Outline a five paragraph essay that explains your design and answers the
questions above. A five-paragraph essay includes an introductory paragraph, a
conclusion paragraph, and three paragraphs in the body. Use the format below to
outline your essay. You must use at least one of the terms, invention or
innovation, within your essay to describe your design.

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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 1.7 What Is It? Page 1

Five Paragraph Essay Outline Format

Title: Hand Crank Cork Remover
I.

II.

Introduction
A.

Introductory statement: The cork remover industry is failing to produce an

effective cork remover.

B.

Thesis statement: The Hand Crank Cork Remover is a much needed

solution for people who cant open bottles. This device is saving the cork
industry, cork removing industry, and the bottle industry because it makes
it easier to drink liquids again and seal them with easy to remove corks.

Body
A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The Hand Crank Cork Remover is
reviving the once dominant cork removal industry.

B.

C.

1.

The cork removal industry used to bring in a lot revenue for their
ingenious designs.

2.

Since 2009, designers have thought of ways to turn around the

falling industry.

3.

Now in 2016, designers have finally thought of a way to make the

hard task of removing a cork easy again.

Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The Hand Crank Cork

Remover has a unique crank used for turning the metal piece into the
cork.
1.

Before the crank, you had to turn the whole device in order to
remove the cork.

2.

Now you can keep the device in the same spot and easily turn the
crank.

3.

The crank turns easily to allow you to remove corks with ease.

Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The trigger on the handle allows
you to retract the screw and easily remove the cork.
1.

Once you have the screw inside the cork, all you have to do is pull
the trigger to pull the cork out of the bottle.

2.
3.

____________________
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III.

Conclusion
A.

Closing statement

B.

Restate thesis: ____________________

About the Author (sixth paragraph)

The thesis statement should identify the object or design and describe the problem
that the design solves, that is, the purpose of the design. The body paragraphs
should provide support for your thesis statement by describing three features of the
design and discussing how each feature helps solve the problem.
4. Using the outline you have created, write a five-paragraph essay that explains
your design, the problem it solves, and its most important features.
5. Add a paragraph entitled About the Author to the end of your essay. In this
additional paragraph, describe your discipline of engineering and how knowledge
from that discipline helped you create your design and solve the problem.
6. Review and evaluate a classmates essay using the Activity 1.7 What Is It? Essay
Rubric.
7. Present a one minute elevator pitch to your class describing your design, the
problem it solves, and its most important features. An elevator pitch is an
expression describing a short presentation with the goal to communicate major
ideas and generate interest in your subject. The length of the presentation should
short enough to be completed in a typical elevator ride.

Conclusion Questions
1 Why is it important for engineers to be creative and think outside the box?
8. What other characteristics do you believe engineers should possess in order to
be successful problem solvers?

Design Images:

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