Biosuit design
challenge
Entry Document
Dear student scientists,
Boeing needs your help! The world of science and engineering is growing fast, and so are the places in the universe we
want to explore. Space suits have been created, but we want to go a step further. Our goal is to provide biosuit models
that could be worn in many different extreme environments that would allow scientists and engineers to do their work
comfortably. We also want accurate information and marketing strategies about these models explained in a way that is
easy to understand.
The first submission requirement is to make a scale model of a biosuit. The model must:
 Be structurally sound.
 Be able to complete the performance test task.
The next submission requirement is a marketing and research presentation to accompany the model that shows the
benefits of your teams’ creation and why it should be funded by Boeing. This proposal must include:
 Scientific research and overview of the features of your biosuit.
 A budget analysis that proves your model is economically feasible.
 Explanation for how your model would support homeostasis in a human being.
 Descriptions of scientists and engineers who would be able to work while wearing your biosuit.
You will be working in a team of 4-5 people and will be assigned an extreme environment that Boeing would like to
expand to. You will divide into the following roles to complete the biosuit model and presentation: design team leader,
marketing team leader, procurement manager, budget/finance manager, and progress monitoring manager.
The final presentation and evaluation of the Biosuit project will include the testing of the model your team creates, the
marketing strategy and research presentation, as a well as a budget analysis. Each team will have 5-10 minutes to
present their work, so prepare accordingly. You will have 3 days in class to prepare your models and presentations.
Proposals may be submitted by (insert date).
Thank you for all your ideas,
Teacher’s Name
Rubric
Quality of BioSuit
Model(s)Design
Expert (4)
Competent (3)
Beginner (2)
Novice(1)
-Selects a design that
addresses all aspects
of the performance
task
-Uses thoughtful
deliberation in
-Selects a design that
addresses most
aspects of the
performance task
-Uses some
deliberation in
-Selects a design that
somewhat addresses
the performance task
-Uses little
deliberation in
design choice.
-Selects a design that
does not addresses
the performance task
-Uses no deliberation
in design choice.
-No completed bio-
2
Craftsmanship
of Bio-suit
Parts
Model
Performance
During Test
Marketing and
Research
Presentation
design choice.
-Completed all biosuit model design
sketches in
handbook.
design choice.
-Partially completed
all bio-suit model
design sketches in
handbook.
-No completed biosuit model design
sketches in
handbook.
suit model design
sketches in
handbook.
-Evidence of care in
Bio-suit part
construction.
-Uses tools and
resources with
adeptness, making
adjustments to create
best model.
-Refines model to
enhance appearance
and capabilities.
-Uses materials
efficiently and with
purpose.
-Evidence of some
care in Bio-suit part
construction.
-Uses tools and
resources with little
or no guidance.
-Refines model to
minimum
expectations.
-Uses materials
somewhat efficiently
and with purpose.
-Evidence of
significant difficulties
in Bio-suit part
construction.
-Needs significant
guidance to use
resources effectively
-Bio-suit Models is
crude with little or
no refinements
made.
-Uses materials
inefficiently and
without purpose.
-Bio-suit model was
built while staying
within the budget.
-Model successfully
completed the
performance task.
-Bio-suit model was
built while staying
close to the budget.
-Model almost
successfully
completed the
performance task.
-Evidence of some
difficulties in Bio-suit
part construction.
-Uses tools and
resources with
guidance-shows
difficulty in selecting
appropriate
resources..
-Refines model but
makes no significant
changes to original
design.
-Uses materials with
some efficiently and
purpose.
-Bio-suit model was
built while but did
not stay within the
budget.
-Model completed
part of the
performance task.
-Marketing plan is
polished and
creatively addresses
the target audience.
-Fully explains how
the team used the
engineering design
process.
-Includes all people
and items in the plan.
-Presentation is
catchy or uses
humor.
-Marketing plan lacks
polish but creatively
addresses the target
audience.
-Mostly explains how
the team used the
engineering design
process.
-Includes most of the
people and items in
the plan.
-Presentation is
catchy or attempts to
use humor.
-Marketing plan
attempts to address
the target audience.
-Partially explains
how the team used
the engineering
design process.
-Includes some of the
people and items in
the plan.
-Presentation is
unconvincing and
does not use humor.
-Marketing plan does
not address the
target audience.
-Never explains how
the team used the
engineering design
process.
-Includes one person
and a few items in
the plan.
-Presentation is
unconvincing and
unoriginal.
-Bio-suit model was
not within budget,
nor was built on time
to perform
performance task.
Know/Need to Know (N2K) Chart
Review the entry document and the project rubric. Determine and list what you “know” and “need to
know” about the design challenge in the space provided.
We know…
We need to know…
3
Biosuit Design Challenge Glossary
Use the space below to record new vocabulary words as we work through the design process.
Word
Definition
4
The Engineering Design Process
5
Step 1 Identify the Need or Problem
Describe
the
engineering
design
challenge to be solved: include limits
and constraints, who is the customer,
and why this is important to solve.
Step 2 Research Criteria and Constraints
Research how others have solved this or
similar problems and discover what
materials have been used. Be sure to
thoroughly research the limitations and
design requirements for success.
Step 3 Brainstorm Possible Solutions
Use your knowledge and creativity to
generate as many solutions as possible.
During this brainstorming stage, do not
reject any ideas.
Step 4 Select the Best Solution
Each team member presents their solution ideas to the team. Team members annotate how
each solution does or does not meet each design requirement. The team then agrees on a
solution, or combination of solutions, that best meets the design requirements.
Step 5 Construct a Prototype
Develop an operating version of the solution.
Step 6 Test
Test your solution. Annotate the results from each test to share with your team.
Step 7 Present Results
Present the results from each test to the team.
Step 8 Redesign
The design process involves multiple iterations and redesigns. Determine a redesign to
address failure points and/or design improvements. Redesign is based on the data from
your tests, your team discussion as to the next steps to improve the design, and the
engineering design process steps 1-7.
Once your team is confident of their prototype
solution, you will find yourself at Step 7 where you will finally present the results to the
client.
1. The client may accept your solution as is, or
2. Ask for additional constraints and criteria to be included in the solution. At this
point, you and your team will revisit the engineering design process and begin the
iterative redesign cycle – again.
History of Biosuits
6
Space Suits
Protects against:
Environments Used in:
Key Features:
History:
Wet Suits
Protects against:
Environments Used in:
Key Features:
History:
Hazmat Suits
Protects against:
Environments Used in:
Key Features:
History:
Extreme Environments and Extreme Careers
7
For each career, read the information at the link provided and answer the questions.
Pipeline Engineer
http://www.ehow.com/about_6636344_pipeline-engineer-job-description.html
1. What level of education is required to become a pipeline engineer?
2. What are the salary expectations of a pipeline engineer?
3. What is the work environment of a pipeline engineer?
4. What are the main duties of a pipeline engineer?
Astronautical Engineer
http://study.com/articles/Astronautical_Engineering_Degree_and_Training_Program_Info.html
1. What is the typical level of education for an astronautical engineer?
2. What are the salary expectations of an astronautical engineer?
3. What are popular career options for someone with a graduate degree in astronautical
engineering?
Marine Biologist
http://study.com/marine_biology_degree.html
1. What is Marine Biology?
2. What are popular career choice for someone with a degree in marine biology?
3. What are the salary expectations for someone with an degree in marine biology?
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Our Team’s Environment and Career
Research Page
Our assigned Environment:______________________________________________________
Our assigned Career:_________________________________________________________
1. What is the average temperature of our environment?
2. Can a human breathe in this environment with no support?
3. What kind of support would a human need in this environment to maintain homeostasis?
4. Which kind of biosuit would be helpful in this environment?
5. What kind of tools would a person in this career need to complete work in this environment?
6. How long can a human survive in this environment if supported by a biosuit?
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Biosuit Draft Sketch
10
Team Roles
Design Team Leader(s)
As the Design Team Leader, your role is to ensure that your team successfully completes the Biosuit
Design Challenge following the engineering design process. You will be responsible for designing and
testing the team’s final biosuit model.
Marketing and Research Team Leader
As the Marketing Team Leader, you are responsible for ensuring that your team has an accompanying
presentation that describes the key features of your team’s biosuit model, as well as the research you
did along the way to create the final model. You will also need to create a campaign that persuades
Boeing to fund your biosuit design.
Procurement Manager
As Procurement Manager, you are the only team member eligible to secure materials from the Materials
Center. You are responsible for being knowledgeable of what resources are available. You must work
closely with the Design Team Leader and Budget/Finance Manager to ensure materials are provided in a
timely manner, and the project runs within the budget.
Budget/Finance Manager
As Budget/Finance Manager, it is your responsibility to manage the fiscal allocations for the project. It is
imperative that your team not exceed the budgetary constraints. You coordinate with the Procurement
Manager and are responsible for maintaining accurate accounting of all assets. You will coordinate with
the Marketing and Research Team Leader to present a final financial report in the campaign
presentation.
Progress Monitoring Manager
As Progress Monitoring Manager, it is your job to conduct the team check-in at the beginning of each
work day, and to ensure all team members are working within the given timeline, and will complete the
design challenge on time.
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Performance Test Brainstorming
1. Performance Task our group must complete:
2. Bio-suit Part/Tools needed to complete our task:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. Our Budget:__________________________________
4. Bio-suit Parts/Tool Draft Sketches:
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Draft Team Budget Sheet
Item to Purchase
Reason for purchase
Cost of Item
Total Spent of
$25,000 Budget:
13
Actual Team Budget Sheet
Item Purchased
Cost of Item
Total Spent of $25,000 Budget:
14
Feedback Template
Team Reflection
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Critical Feedback and Suggestions made
by Other Teams
Adjustments & Action Plan
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
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Redesign Sketches
16
Final Presentation
Your Team’s Final Presentation must include:
 Scientific research and overview of the features of your Biosuit.
 Budget analysis that proves your model is economically feasible.
 Explanation for how your model would support homeostasis in a human being.
 Descriptions of how scientists and engineers would be able to work while wearing your Biosuit.
 Background information about your assigned environment and career
Tell Your Story:
 Include all members.
 Create a back story that is creative and maybe even funny about your group.
 Talk about your design, and explain what each feature is and how it would be represented if you
had real materials.
Performance Task:
 Explain what your human model is doing as they perform the task.
 Describe how the features you created are helping to complete the task.
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Reflection Exit Ticket
Day One:
1. What did you learn today?
2. What are you looking forward to in this project?
Day Two:
1. What did you learn today?
2. What are you looking forward to in this project?
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Reflection Exit Ticket (con’t.)
Day Three:
1. What did you learn today?
2. What are you looking forward to in this project?
Day Four:
1. How well is your team collaborating?
2. What could you do differently to make sure your team meets all of the deadlines and is
successful at completing the performance task?
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Reflection Exit Ticket (con’t.)
Day Five:
1. What was challenging about today’s work?
2. How did your team overcome this challenge?
Day Six:
1. How did the Critical Friends Feedback cycle inform design changes and/or budget decisions?
2. How did your team come to consensus on which feedback items to incorporate in the redesign?
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Day Seven:
1. What did you accomplish today during the Build time?
2. What do you still need to accomplish?
Day Eight:
1. What do you need to complete to be ready for the presentation and test tomorrow?
2. What does your team need to complete to be ready for the presentation and test tomorrow?
Day Nine:
1. List three things you learned from the presentations and testing today.
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Project Planning Worksheet
22
Project Reflection & Design Optimization
1. What design changes would you make to optimize your Biosuit?
2. What tradeoffs (design, materials selection, cost, team decisions) do you feel most impacted the
success or failure of your design?
3. How is failure a vital part of the engineering design process?
4. If you had to do this project all over again what would you change about it and why?
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