PLTW Engineering Document 3: Portfolio,
Engineering Notebook & Equipment Guide
Definitions (to be used as a guide as needed):
Portfolio - The student portfolio can be a physical or digital collection showcasing an individual
student’s best work. The portfolio is more than just a collection of working drawings, pictures, and
renderings. The portfolio should tell the story of that student’s learning evolution through the class.
Every project listed below should include some type of student reflection (see sample Appendix A),
pictures or video, and, optionally, a project summary display board (if not submitting a student
report as part of the portfolio [see sample Appendix B]) that demonstrates any additional
calculations, testing data, or charts and graphs.
Notebook - The student notebook is filled with the day-to-day thoughts, notes, calculations, and
questions related to course work. Typically, notebooks are more structured, teacher-led work in
Intro to Engineering Design and become more original, unique work toward Engineering Design
and Development. Notebooks do not need to be “pretty” but should be functional and organized.
Some of the best implementations of notebooks have evolved to entering all “worksheet” activity
directly into the notebook. This practice provides several benefits: 1.) Saves on paper-printing costs
2.) Proves originality in work/submissions 3.) Provides chronological integrity for EOC reviews 4.)
Provides for improved retention and reference resources
Refer to the Notebook and Portfolio guides in the course LMS for more information.
Levels of Assessment
4 – Excellent
Interpretation of Level
Exceeds expectations.
3 – Good
Meets expectations. No need for additional technical assistance at
this time, although some areas, as indicated, could be improved.
2 – Needs Improvement
Falls below expectations. Demonstrates limited proficiency;
additional technical assistance and/or resource utilization is needed
for improvement.
1 – Poor or Missing
Evidences little or no proficiency. A great deal of technical assistance
and/or resource utilization would be an immediate need.
N/A – Not Applicable
Area does not apply to the program being reviewed.
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I.
A.
Student Portfolios should contain evidence of:
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
1
2
3
4
N/A
Gantt chart showing project management for virtual design challenge
Computer-generated technical drawings of virtual design challenge,
reverse engineering project (e.g. Automoblox)
Computer-generated technical drawings of puzzle cube including part
multi-views and an assembled view of the puzzle
Computer-generated technical drawing of the Button Maker, Train, or
Arbor Press including part drawings and an exploded assembly view
with balloons and parts list
Marketing Brochure for a product
Product impact timeline presentation
B.
Principles of Engineering (PoE)
Digital pictures of the material-recycling sorter with programming and
assembled solar hydrogen automobile
Technical writing samples (i.e.: engineer interview)
Digital image of truss design with calculations
Materials testing technical report (sample and analysis with graphs)
Energy distribution PowerPoint with pictures
Digital picture of ballistics device and assembled POE test bed with
programming notes
C.
Digital Electronics (DE)
Pictures of bread boarded circuits: board game counter, date of birth
problem, copier jam problem, elevator door, fireplace control circuit
solution, PLD circuit
Printouts of computer-simulated circuits using circuit design software
Boe-Bot programming sample
D.
Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Aerospace evolution documentary
Mathematical calculations for lift, drag, thrust, coefficient of drag
Composite testing results, calculations, and digital pictures of samples
Satellite flight topographical map and digital picture of the physical
terrain
E.
Biotechnical Engineering (BE)
Instrument calibration.xls
Rapid pathogen identification final report
CSI forensic technique final paper
Digital picture of yeast mobile design and competition results,
aquaponics experiment, joint model prototype design
F.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Computer-generated drawings of shed, residential design
Architectural styles PowerPoint
Image of model of architectural feature or style
Computer-generated drawings of library and Unit 4 projects
Project management (i.e., Gantt) chart, architectural program (i.e., a
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description of objectives, functions, constraints, and criteria of project),
and team norms for Unit 4 project
G.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
Manufacturing research presentation
Mathematic calculations of volume, mass, surface area, part cost, waste,
and packaging requirements
G&M Codes of initials
RoboCell programs of activities such as Stacking Objects and Using Roll
Angles, Variable Programming, and Handshaking
Mathematic calculations of power
Lynxmotion robotic arm or alternative robot arm program code
documentation and digital pictures or video
H.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
Project management timeline with milestones and dates from initial
idea conception to final presentation
Final solution presentation
Evidence of industry and expert input
Prototype testing and analysis final results
Digital picture of final design prototype
I.
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE)
Source code from one of the following:
Scratch Game or Story
OR
App Inventor Android Application Source Code from one of the
following: Image Artist, Design a Python GUI, Dynamic Data-Driven
Design
Individual Issue Report from one of the following: Digital
Property, Security and Liberty, Issues with Data, Computing Impacts all
Fields
Investigating With Data Project
II.
A.
Engineering notebooks should contain evidence of:
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
1
2
3
4
N/A
Freehand concept sketches
Sketches and notes to indicate that the design process was followed on
a design project (e.g., instant challenge)
Group project showing brainstorming technique
Project Management example and decision matrix with justification of
selected solution path
Image of prototype of a design solution (e.g., puzzle cube)
Calculations for area and volume
Dimensioned multi-view drawings
Notes on visual design principles and elements
Reverse engineering notes, sketches, and explanations
B.
Principles of Engineering (PoE)
Design freehand sketches of material sorter and ballistic device
Professional interview notes
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Notes on energy source types and statistics, material properties
(centroid and beam deflection), non-destructible material property
tests, simple machines with explanations
Free body diagram examples with force and vector calculations,
method of joints strategy
Project Management example showing responsibilities and timeline (i.e.:
ballistic device, material sorter, renewable energy distribution)
Mathematic calculations for stress, strain, tension, Ohm’s law,
conduction, R-values, radiation, mechanical advantage, drive ratios,
efficiency
Flowcharting and basic programming notes (i.e.: material sorter)
C.
Digital Electronics (DE)
Boolean algebra simplification and truth tables
KMapping
Number System Conversions (i.e.: binary to hex to ... )
Circuit design notes & schematics
Mathematic calculations for Ohm’s law, Kirchoff’s voltage, and current
law
Notes on different gates and their applications, flip-flops,
microcontrollers, Boe-Bot programming
Two’s complement arithmetic solutions
D.
Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Airfoil simulation design
Glider design documentation, flight performance data, and digital
picture of glider
Design sketches of aircraft engines
Rocket design documentation and test results
Space junk mitigation design process documentation and digital picture
of prototype
Aircraft Efficiency design
Parachute design
Rover autonomous program
E.
Biotechnical Engineering (BE)
Bioethics survey data
Hand-drawn sketches of DNS model
Yeast mobile design sketches
Aquaponics experiment data table
Design sketches of joint model prototype designs
F.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Design process sketches (i.e.: shed, residence, Unit 4 project)
Notes on architectural styles, charettes, roof types, commercial wall
systems, utility service connections, surveying, soil testing, storm water
runoff, group work for Unit 4 project
Decision matrix for Unit 4 project
Mathematical calculations for loads, concrete pad estimation, heat loss,
structural efficiency, building systems, water supply, runoff, Unit 4
project
Project research for codes, restrictions, load requirements
G.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
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Transfer system design documentation, cost analysis, program, and
digital picture of final assembly
Container design, G&M code, simulation and digital picture of the CNC
milled container
Demonstrate use of pneumatics or hydraulics by students (e.g.
hydraulic part feeder design documentation, program code, and digital
picture and/or video of final assembly)
Factory System design documentation, program code, and digital
picture and/or video of final assembly
H.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
Progress from initial idea conception to prototype testing
Sketches and notes reflecting patent research, design solution, input
from experts, prototype testing and analysis
I.
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE)
It was the determination of the course designers and master teachers that CSE course may optionally use
digital Notebooks in lieu of physical Notebooks. However, a combination of both is still highly
recommended and should demonstrate traits as described above for definition of Notebook. The following
items should be clearly demonstrated regardless of the tool/mechanism used as a “Notebook.”
Programming – Code Development - Problem explanation / solution,
product backlog, algorithm selections, reflection, presentation of final
Programming – iterations and annotated code
Research evidence from Individual Issue Report (Activity 3.1.2)
Data Design Project methodology / development – questions, data,
methods, knowledge, communications, collaboration
III.
Equipment/ Supplies
Overall
1
2
3
4
N/A
Appropriate software for the courses offered
Digital cameras
Computers (adequate for enrollment)
Printer and/or plotter capability equipment
Prototyping lab that includes wire strippers, hammers, glue guns, tape
measures, utility knives, drill press, band saw, wrenches, screwdrivers,
pliers, multimeters, dial calipers, soldering irons, mitre boxes, saws
A.
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
DVDs: Apollo 13
Craft blocks, graduated cylinders
B.
Principles of Engineering (PoE)
Robotics assembly kits (adequate for enrollment)
Hydrogen fuel and solar cells (adequate for enrollment)
Work lamp with clamp
Thermodynamics heat box
C.
Digital Electronics (DE)
Digital Logic Board (Board of Education, BOE)
DE kit (VEX or Fischertechnik – adequate for enrollment)
Boe-Bot Microcontroller Robotic Kits (adequate for enrollment)
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Breadboards, capacitors, LEDs, wires (adequate for enrollment)
Integrated circuit kits (adequate for enrollment)
D.
Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Wind tunnel (optional)
Flight simulator with controls (e.g. joystick or yoke)
Garmin GPS units (adequate for enrollment)
Dual range force sensor
Vernier force plate
Material tester (Locally constructed or SSA 1000)
AE VEX Kit (adequate for enrollment)
Carolina Visual perception kit
Rocket launch equipment and parts to construct rockets
E.
Biotechnical Engineering (BE)
Micro centrifuge
Assorted science experiment glassware
Microscope (adequate for enrollment)
Incubator
Green fluorescent protein chromatography kit
pG10 bacterial transformation kit
Hotplates
F.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Surveying equipment
Soil testing sieves
Scales: architectural, engineers
Triple beam balance
G.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
CNC mill or router
CNC material (i.e.: wax, Ren Shape, solid laminate)
Robotics assembly kits (adequate for enrollment)
Lynx robots (adequate for enrollment) or a legacy robotic arm
Robot handshake hardware (e.g. Breadboard, Optical Isolator, or
Relay)
Adequate lab support tools (e.g. Air compressor, drill press, band saw,
hand tools)
H.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
Access to testing equipment and a prototyping facility
I.
Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE)
Computer lab (with one-to-one student access)
Android tablets (one per two students)
Bread boarding kits (adequate for enrollment)
Circuit lab support tools (Digital multimeter, wire strippers, varieties of
22 Ga solid wire)
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Appendix A – Sample Portfolio Reflection Template
Portfolio Project Reflection
Project Title:
Name:
Partners:
Abstract: Five- to six-sentence overview of the entire project process from beginning to end
Skills Utilized: List all skills related to this project, (IE, inventor, sketching, PowerPoint, soldering, etc.)
Key Learning / Reflection: Be specific and detailed here. Discuss project successes, iterations and
failures – give in-depth explanations for both. What additional questions were raised
by this project? What would you do differently? What did other groups do that was
innovative, or what would you do differently if you had more time?
Acknowledgements: List of those individuals outside of the group who have helped or mentored you
during this project.
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Appendix B – Sample Project Display Template
This template can be created in PowerPoint as a single slide. Change the slide size to 11x17 or
larger to be hung on walls or printed smaller to fit in physical portfolio.
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