PLTW IED FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
Questions and Answers
1. How might we create the best possible solution to a problem?
Answer Engineers try to think "outside the box" in order to solve new problems or find ways
to improve current solutions.
2. What is the most effective way to generate potential solutions to a
problem? How many alternate solutions should you generate?
Answer Brainstorming with a group, research and testing possible solutions
3. What is an engineer? What types of work do engineers do?
Answer Engineering is the application of mathematics and scientific principles to better or
improve life.An engineer is a person who is trained
in and uses technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. Research, Develop, Design,
Supervise, Manage, Production and Construction,operations,plant management, and sales
4. Why Keep an Engineering Notebook?
Answer An engineering notebook is recognized as a legal docu- ment that is used in
patent activities to...
Prove the origin of an idea that led to a solution
Prove when events or ideas occurred
Prove diligence in turning the idea into a solution
Prove when an idea became a working solution ("reduced to practice")
,5. What are the 4 best Practices for the Engineering Notebook?
Answer Be Neat, be Accurate,
be Legible,
be Thorough
6. Explain the concept of proportion.
Answer Paying close attention to the underlying basic shapes and the relative proportions of
various features of the object will allow you to more accurately reflect the true shapes and proportions
of the object in your sketch
7. Why would the ability to create realistic sketches make a person
a more competent designer
Answer Representing existing objects and new ideas with sketches can make the design
process more effective and efficient and greatly enhance the ability of others to understand your
ideas.Allows them to communicate their ideas more clearly.
8. What is the purpose of sketching your ideas?
Answer Sketches provide a means through which one can quickly and clearly communicate
ideas
9. Define and differentiate invention and innovation.
Answer Invention
A new product, system, or process that has never existed before, created by study and
experimentation.
,Innovation
An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something.
10. Brainstorm
Answer A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative thinking,
etc. by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion
11. Constrait
Answer 1. A limit to a design process. Constraints may be such things as appearance, funding,
space, materials, and human capabilities. 2. A limitation or restriction.
12. Design
Answer . An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are
converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve problems. 2. A plan
or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is built or
made. 3. A decorative pattern.
13. A Design Brief
Answer A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The
design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution.
14. Design Statement
Answer A part of a design brief that challenges the designer, describes what a design solution
should do without describing how to solve the problem, and identifies the degree to which the solution
must be executed.
, 15. Engineering Notebook
Answer An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer will formally docu- ment,
in chronological order, all of his/her work that is associated with a specific design project.
16. Prototype
Answer A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual
observations and necessary adjustments.
17. Research
Answer The systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.
18. Order of Design Process
Answer Define Problem Generate
Concepts
Develop a Solution
Construct and test
Prototype Evaluate
Solution
Present Solution
19. Read through the Engineering Disciplines Power Point and write
Each Engi- neering Field mentioned and one sentence describing
what that Engineering Field does.
Answer Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical and Electronics
Questions and Answers
1. How might we create the best possible solution to a problem?
Answer Engineers try to think "outside the box" in order to solve new problems or find ways
to improve current solutions.
2. What is the most effective way to generate potential solutions to a
problem? How many alternate solutions should you generate?
Answer Brainstorming with a group, research and testing possible solutions
3. What is an engineer? What types of work do engineers do?
Answer Engineering is the application of mathematics and scientific principles to better or
improve life.An engineer is a person who is trained
in and uses technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. Research, Develop, Design,
Supervise, Manage, Production and Construction,operations,plant management, and sales
4. Why Keep an Engineering Notebook?
Answer An engineering notebook is recognized as a legal docu- ment that is used in
patent activities to...
Prove the origin of an idea that led to a solution
Prove when events or ideas occurred
Prove diligence in turning the idea into a solution
Prove when an idea became a working solution ("reduced to practice")
,5. What are the 4 best Practices for the Engineering Notebook?
Answer Be Neat, be Accurate,
be Legible,
be Thorough
6. Explain the concept of proportion.
Answer Paying close attention to the underlying basic shapes and the relative proportions of
various features of the object will allow you to more accurately reflect the true shapes and proportions
of the object in your sketch
7. Why would the ability to create realistic sketches make a person
a more competent designer
Answer Representing existing objects and new ideas with sketches can make the design
process more effective and efficient and greatly enhance the ability of others to understand your
ideas.Allows them to communicate their ideas more clearly.
8. What is the purpose of sketching your ideas?
Answer Sketches provide a means through which one can quickly and clearly communicate
ideas
9. Define and differentiate invention and innovation.
Answer Invention
A new product, system, or process that has never existed before, created by study and
experimentation.
,Innovation
An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something.
10. Brainstorm
Answer A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative thinking,
etc. by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion
11. Constrait
Answer 1. A limit to a design process. Constraints may be such things as appearance, funding,
space, materials, and human capabilities. 2. A limitation or restriction.
12. Design
Answer . An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are
converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve problems. 2. A plan
or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is built or
made. 3. A decorative pattern.
13. A Design Brief
Answer A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. The
design brief is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution.
14. Design Statement
Answer A part of a design brief that challenges the designer, describes what a design solution
should do without describing how to solve the problem, and identifies the degree to which the solution
must be executed.
, 15. Engineering Notebook
Answer An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer will formally docu- ment,
in chronological order, all of his/her work that is associated with a specific design project.
16. Prototype
Answer A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual
observations and necessary adjustments.
17. Research
Answer The systematic study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions.
18. Order of Design Process
Answer Define Problem Generate
Concepts
Develop a Solution
Construct and test
Prototype Evaluate
Solution
Present Solution
19. Read through the Engineering Disciplines Power Point and write
Each Engi- neering Field mentioned and one sentence describing
what that Engineering Field does.
Answer Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical and Electronics
