Student Resource 1.7
Fix My Classroom – Design Brief
Background:
The new school year is in full swing. You’ve made new friends, you’ve gotten used to the
new building, the new teachers, even the new schedule. However, there are some things in
your classroom you just can’t get used to. They simply need to be fixed or “reinvented.”
Students create a list of classroom problems: for example, pencils falling off desks, losing
papers, etc. Student teams choose a problem from the list and brainstorm ideas about
designing an invention that can “fix” the problem. Teams choose their best idea, then
design and develop it, and finally, present their solution to classmates.
Challenge:
In this small-group activity, choose an idea from the list of classroom problems you
discussed as a class. Your team will brainstorm ideas to fix the problem, then design and
develop (invent) a solution to that problem.
Criteria and Constraints:
 The “invention” cannot interfere with regular classroom work activities, like having room
on your desk to read or write or do other school work.
 Only materials from the “Inventor’s Table” can be used.
Inventor Table Materials:
 Paper plates
 Paper cups
 Paper clips
 Paper fasteners
 Construction paper
 Straws
 Clothespins
 String
 Tape
Procedure:
1. Students, working in groups of three or four, will brainstorm ways to invent a solution to
a classroom problem.
2. The teacher will assign a group leader and review materials.
3. Groups will document all work in a Journal.
4. Student groups will:
a. Discuss the problem (take notes).
b. Discuss ideas for solving the problem (brainstorm and make sketches).
c. Choose the best idea and build a prototype (working model).
d. Evaluate and test the prototype, refine as needed.
e. After the prototype is finished, name it—be creative.
f. Make an oral presentation to the class describing the completed device.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate your “Fix my Classroom” invention:
Engineering Design Process Rubric
Engineering Design Process - Rubric
Category
Below Target
Defining the
Rephrases the
Problem
problem with limited
clarity.
Brainstorming Contributes few or
a Solution
implausible ideas.
Generating
Contributes few or
Ideas
implausible ideas.
Produces incomplete
sketches. Does not
present a concept.
Identifying
Criteria
Exploring
Possibilities
Selecting an
Approach
Making a
Model or
Prototype
Testing and
evaluating the
Design
Refining the
Design
Does not restate the
criteria clearly and
fails to identify
constraints.
Inadequately
analyzes the pluses
and minuses of a
variety of possible
solutions.
Selection of solution
is not based on
consideration of
criteria and
constraints.
Prototype meets the
task criteria to a
limited extent.
Testing and
evaluation processes
are inadequate.
Refinement based on
testing and evaluation
is not evident.
At Target
Rephrases the problem
clearly.
Contributes a plausible
idea.
Contributes one
plausible idea.
Produces marginally
accurate pictorial and
orthographic sketches
of design concepts.
Restates the criteria
clearly and identifies
several constraints.
Satisfactorily analyzes
the pluses and minuses
of a variety of possible
solutions.
Selects a promising
solution based on
criteria and
constraints.
Prototype meets the
task criteria.
Testing and evaluation
processes are
adequate for refining
the problem solution.
Refinements made
based on testing and
evaluation results.
Above Target
Rephrases the
problem clearly and
precisely.
Contributes multiple
plausible ideas.
Contributes multiple
plausible ideas.
Produces accurate
pictorial and
orthographic sketches
of design concepts.
Restates the criteria
clearly and precisely
and identifies many
constraints.
Thoroughly analyzes
the pluses and
minuses of a variety of
possible solutions.
Selects a promising
solution based on a
thorough analysis of
criteria and
constraints.
Prototype meets the
task criteria in
insightful ways.
Testing processes are
innovative.
Significant
improvement in the
design is made based
on prototype testing
and evaluation.