TEAMS 2016 Scenario Topics
“Engineering the Tools of Innovation” provides an opportunity for students to deepen their
knowledge of how engineers use contemporary tools to solve problems. Scenario topics
include:
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Energy Efficiency: Pumping Systems
Optical Physics: Lenses and Telescopes
Six Sigma Manufacturing Methods
Space: Colonizing the Red Planet
The summaries that follow offer an overview of the scenario topics that will be addressed in the
2016 TEAMS competition. Competition questions will be based on content related to the
scenario topics.
Students can begin to prepare for the competition by researching key concepts and terms
presented in the scenarios. Web related links are included as part of each scenario summary
for the purpose of extended exploration. These links should not be considered all inclusive;
team members and coaches are encouraged to research content beyond the links provided.
General background information about innovative engineering tools can be found on the
TEAMS website: teams.tsaweb.org/Background
The annual TEAMS competition theme is based on the National Academy
of Engineering’s Grand Challenges. Learn more about the NAE Grand
Challenges at www.engineeringchallenges.org
Disclaimer: These scenarios are for reference only and include links that provide direct access to
Internet sites not controlled or maintained by TSA. TSA takes no responsibility for the content or information
contained on or within the sites. TSA does not have any editorial or graphic control over the sites. Refer students to
these links and sites only after your review.
Technology Student Association • 1914 Association Drive •
Reston, VA 20191 Toll free: 888/860-9000
www.tsaweb.org
teams.tsaweb.org
Energy Efficiency: Pumping Systems
Pumping systems are found in many areas: from household water pumps and sump pumps, to
large systems that run an entire city’s water supply to those used in manufacturing. Some
pumping systems in use today were manufactured many years ago, and increasing the energy
efficiency of these pumps could help decrease the use of fossil fuels required for their operation.
In addition to redesigning the pumps themselves, the systems in which they are used may need
to be modified to increase efficiency.
How can engineers help?
Engineers - especially chemical, petroleum, and electrical engineers - are often called
upon to design pumps and pumping systems. Engineers must be able to determine the
flow through pumping systems that may have different configurations of pipes, bends,
valves, etc. Since small changes in configuration can result in large changes in
efficiency, engineers need to be able to modify or redesign these pumping systems. Your
team will be challenged to design a pumping system that increases energy efficiency and
decreases the use of natural resources.
Explore More:
http://www.pumpsandsystems.com/topics/pumps/pumps/centrifugal-pump-efficiency-whatefficiency
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pump-fan-efficiency-d_633.html
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/flow/css_2014_energy.pdf
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/index.cfm
http://www.eia.gov/beta/MER/?tbl=T02.01#/?f=A&start=1949&end=2014&charted=3-6-9-12
Optical Physics: Lenses and Telescopes
Successfully exploring the universe has been one of humankind’s more ongoing pursuits.
Recently, astronomers working with NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope confirmed discovery of an
“Earth-like” planet in a habitable zone orbiting a star similar to our Sun. The possibility of
discovering life similar to that on Earth challenges engineers to design better tools to help aid
the process of discovery.
Engineers working on the design of space telescopes need to consider a number of factors,
including location of telescope, size, object of concern, intended resolution, environmental
factors, wavelength of light incident, etc. An important part of the design process is deciding on
the intended use for a telescope.
How can engineers help?
Engineers design telescopes based on concepts of optical physics. From designing
telescopes for star gazing, to designing advanced space telescopes that monitor surface
formations on stars and other planets, the process of telescope design is involved and
challenging. Your team will investigate factors (such as, but not limited to: cost, location,
size, geometry, material) that must be considered when designing a telescope.
Explore More:
History of the telescope: http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/instruments/telescope.html
Eyes on the Sky: http://www.eyesontheskies.org/movie.php.html
NASA’s overview on the Hubble Space Telescope:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html
Major Space Telescopes: http://www.space.com/6716-major-space-telescopes.html
Introduction to Optical Design, Lens Design: http://optics.synopsys.com/learn/learn-intro-opticsdesign.html
The anatomy of lenses: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-5/The-Anatomyof-a-Lens
Six Sigma Manufacturing Methods
Technology has impacted the way products are made, bought, and sold around the world.
Products can be ordered, shipped, and delivered almost anywhere in a matter of days. To
remain competitive in this environment, industries have focused their efforts on identifying and
removing flawed manufacturing processes. The tools used in manufacturing include both
physical tools and the process of effective design.
Six Sigma methodology is an approach engineers use to improve flawed manufacturing
processes. Engineers apply a systematic, data-driven method to measure, remove defects from,
and develop solutions in manufacturing settings. This means that very few mistakes are made in
production and a minimum of defective parts are shipped from manufacturing plants. Engineers
decide on solutions that best suit the needs of their organization and address problems in a
timely manner, while producing a quality product that meets consumer requirements.
How can engineers help?
Engineers use their technical expertise to: understand the constraints of manufacturing
equipment and technicians; design products to meet consumer needs; and satisfy top
management priorities. The Six Sigma approach to problem solving allows industries to
maximize profit, while decreasing any additional costs that might be passed on to the
consumer. Your team must use the Six Sigma methodology to assess a manufacturing
scenario in the aerospace industry, evaluate the scenario, address process flaws, and
consider the sustainability of the process.
Explore More:
Innovation at Boeing: http://www.manufacturingglobal.com/lean/199/Continuous-innovation-atBoeing-leads-to-success-in-a-highly-competitive-industry
Lean Thinking and Methods: http://www.epa.gov/lean/environment/methods/sixsigma.htm
Six Sigma Tools: http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/six-sigma/tools.html
Six Sigma overview: http://www.six-sigma-material.com/Six-Sigma.html
Statistics involved when working with process control:
http://www.six-sigma-material.com/Basic-Statistics.html
Space: Colonizing the Red Planet
On September 23, 1999, NASA lost its $125-million Mars Climate Orbiter due to a simple
system error: engineers at Lockheed Martin’s space systems group transmitted English
measurement units (pounds-seconds) to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineers who assumed
they were receiving metric measurement units (newton-seconds). This costly error is an
example of the necessity of system checks in engineering.
Designing processes and measures to prevent another mishap like NASA experienced in 1999,
and fiscal responsibility, are crucial to good preparation. Keeping in mind the lessons learned
from the Mars Climate Orbiter expedition, your team has been chosen to help plan the
development of the first Mars colony, scheduled to begin construction in 2050.
How can engineers help?
Space exploration is a highly visible, dangerous, and expensive endeavor. To establish a
colony on Mars, engineers need to design the tools to transport and assist those planning to
live in a harsh new environment. Your team will work on the design of the colony site, its
buildings, and roadways to ensure that they are habitable and meet acceptable standards.
Explore More:
Mars Probe Lost Due to Simple Math Error: http://articles.latimes.com/1999/oct/01/news/mn17288
Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter:
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9909/30/mars.metric.02/
Mars Facts: http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/planetary/mars.html
Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS):
http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/instruments/environsensors/rems/
Geologic Map of Mars: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3292/