Engineering By Design
Engineers shape the world around us, improving the ways we work, travel, communicate, and stay healthy. There are many different types of engineers—from aerospace engineers to zoo engineers. An aerospace engineer designs, tests, and manages the manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. This engineer also tests prototypes (a first model) to make sure they function properly according to design and develops new technologies to be used in space exploration, aviation, and defense systems. Whereas, a zoo engineer designs, tests, and manages the habitats for animals. If you are interested in designing and building, engineering may be the right career for you.
One thing all engineers have in common is the use of the Engineering Design Process (EDP), often known as the process to “think like an engineer.” EDP is a step-by-step method for solving a problem by creating something. Let’s use the EDP method in your own home to design a toy for your pet or a local pet shelter.
Tools:
Paper or notebook and a writing utensil
View a real-world example of EDP with this NASA video.
Upcycled materials: old t-shirts, towels, string, newspaper, old toys, etc.
Steps:
We will follow the engineering design process by watching the NASA video above (see the Tools section) to learn about the application of the EDP and then follow the Engineering by Design Steps worksheet above (see the Tools section) to design your pet’s new toy!
Step 1: The first step of the EDP process is to identify the problem/goal. For this project, your goal is to design the ideal toy for the type of pet you have and enjoy.
Step 2: Do some research on your pet and brainstorm toy ideas. Take some time to study your pet to know their interests (e.g. digging, running, playing), energy-level (e.g. relaxed or hyper, quiet or vocal), and motivations (e.g. food, play, cuddles). Also, keep in mind whether your pet is an outdoor or indoor pet, or is happy in both places.
Step 3: Look at your brainstorming list, sketch a design with the important components you identified as your pet’s interests. Be sure to label each part of the sketch to plan and list what materials you might need for the construction step.
Step 4: Using your sketch, gather all needed materials from around your house.
Step 5: Here comes the moment we’ve been waiting for – Build! Bring your creations to life by following your sketch. You may discover that some materials you collected will not work as planned, and a change of materials may be necessary. If breaks occur, make sure to pick up and remove any small or broken pieces of a toy before your pet gets ahold of it and possibly swallows it.
Step 6: Now it’s time to test, evaluate, and redesign your toy. Experimentation is very important, so test the toy with your pet as many times as you think are needed. Here, you will test and learn what works and what doesn’t. Does your pet like the toy? Did the toy break? Could any new materials or knots be added to make it sturdier? Don’t be discouraged if your design fails – that is the beauty of engineering. Just go back and improve on your original idea until you have engineered a great toy that your pet loves! Again, be sure that your pet does not ingest any parts of the toy, so ask a friend or adult figure to help with this step to ensure your pet is safe.
Step 7: Arguably the most important step in the EDP is to Share the Solution! Every scientific discovery would be a waste if it weren’t shared with the world to learn from its successes and failures along the way to perfect the design. Share your story with family, classmates, and friends and what you learned from any failures. Don’t forget to share your new pet toy design with the world using #SubaruLovesLearning and #SubaruLovesPets on Social Media too, or below in the comments.
To Do or Learn More:
Can you read your cat’s or dog’s facial expressions? Read this AAAS’ Science article and take the shortened survey to see if you really know each expression.
Compare your design with over 3,000 designs from Chewy. How does your toy compare to any of these designs? Are there updates that you could add to your toy that you did not think about in the brainstorming and sketching steps?
Find your local pet shelter and see how you can support it through donations or volunteering.
If you want to do something extra special, make one of these 35 Homemade Pet Recipes For Dogs And Cats!
Subaru of America, Inc. supports the well-being of pets nationwide with the return of its Subaru Loves Pets initiative. Throughout the month, Subaru is dedicated to helping pets in need. Also, check out National Make a Dog’s Day on October 22, a national effort to champion dogs everywhere and, in particular, those in shelters.