DESIGN BRIEF

MANUFACTURING PROTOTYPE
Childrens Blocks
ENGR EC 2: Students will demonstrate the engineering design process.
a. Describe the role of problem identification, problem definition, search, constraints, criteria,
alternative solutions, analysis, decision, specification, and communication as activities comprising
the engineering design process.
b. Organize the iterative processes necessary to develop and optimize a design solution.
c. Apply engineering design to the solution of a problem
ENGR STEM 5:
Students will select and demonstrate techniques, skills, tools, and understanding
related to energy and power, bio-related, communication, transportation, manufacturing,
and construction technologies.
a. Use common tools correctly and safely.
b. Describe strategies for selecting materials and processes necessary for developing a technological
system or artifact.
c. Demonstrate fundamental materials processing and assembly techniques
ENGR STEM 7:
Students will develop leadership and interpersonal problem-solving skills through
participation in co-curricular activities associated with the Technology Student Association.
a. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
b. Participate in teamwork to accomplish specified organizational goals.
c. Demonstrate cooperation and understanding with persons who are ethnically and culturally diverse
Design Brief: Using the TSA State Competition guidelines, design a set of toy blocks for a child.

The finished Product to be graded will be as follows:

1. Shelf ready set of toy blocks
a. Completed blocks: laser engraved, oiled and in the final package
2. Website Documenting the Process
a. Title page
i. Picture of set of blocks with packaging
ii. Last name of student
iii. Class Period
b. A set of links on the Title Page:
i. Define the problem
1. Pictures of self-ready toys
ii. Research the Problem
1. Collected data (photos, saved images, drawings, etc.)
iii. Develop possible solutions
1. Sketches of ideas that show some type of theme
2. Work out border/no border etc. Link to images you might have found
online
iv. Select your best idea
1. Take a picture of your best sketch of an idea
v. Make the prototype
1. Pictures of the process (planning wood, gluing up and clamping, laser
engraving, making the box, designing the box)
vi. Test and evaluate
1. Create surveys for the blocks and packaging. Ask teachers, parents,
administrators and friends which ones they like.
2. From this data, make a prediction as to which designs might be more
marketable.
3. Hint: try using your website to get people to take the survey.
vii. Communicate the solution
1. Post the results of your survey with pictures of all the blocks/packaging
ideas, in the survey
viii. Redesign

1. If time permits, using data collected from your survey, redesign one
block to improve the product in response to your data.