Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook
Purpose
Keeping notes of what is said in every class you take is something you have come to
expect. You also have learned in mathematics class, for example, that a record of
your work helps you to explain to your teacher what you wanted to do when you
solved a mathematics problem. The same is true with engineers. They must keep a
record of the work they do toward developing a solution, the processes they use in
creating the solution, and a record of their solutions. The engineer’s notebook is so
important that it is considered a legal document.
This activity is designed to help you set up your notebook and to learn to keep
records of the work you will do in this class. In addition, you will be asked to take
notes of the information you learn and the work you complete.
Equipment
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Notebook
Pencil, ink pen
(Optional) Computer with word-processing program
Procedure
You will set up your engineering notebook with the following sections. Your teacher
may ask you to add additional sections as the course progresses. In addition, you
may be asked to keep an electronic notebook. Check with your teacher to verify how
the notebook should be kept.
Notebook sections:
1. Notes
2. Research
3. Sketches and drawings
4. Journal entry
5. Additional input
Each day you will be required to make a journal entry. Each journal entry will include
the following:
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 1
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Briefly explain what you accomplished during the class period. This should
include “I statements” only, for example:
o I researched…
o I drew…
o I built…
o I wrote…

When appropriate, sketch your ideas for a new project, your project
completion to date, or improvements to your project.
Briefly explain why it is important to know/do the activity you worked on today.
Define one word from this week’s vocabulary list.
At the conclusion of a lesson and unit, answer the key questions in complete
sentences.
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The rubric on pages 2 and 3 may be used to help you know how well you are doing
in preparing and keeping your notebook.
Pages 4 and 5 may be copied and used to help create your notebook.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 2
Engineering Notebook Rubric
Rubric Score ___/20
Component
Development and
Organization
Notes
Research
Sketches and
Drawings
Journal Entry
4 Points
3 Points
2 Points
1 Point
Notebook shows a high
level of organization;
sections are clearly
labeled; all activity
sheets and related
information are included.
Notebook shows
evidence of
organization, but is
missing section dividers;
not all activities are
completed with
appropriate information.
Notes are labeled but
are not in order.
Notebook shows limited
organization, such as
missing sections, and
most activities are not
completed.
Notebook is not
complete and is missing
all activities.
Some notes are missing
and not all notes are
labeled.
Research is
documented on some
topics. One or two do
not have proper citation
information. Research is
limited to two or three
resources.
One or two sketches are
not complete and are
missing important
information, such as
measurements.
Drawings are missing
two or more important
aspects.
Two or three journal
entries are misdated or
are missing completely.
Research is randomly
completed with little or
no documentation of
sources.
Notes are not labeled,
and the notes that are
included are not clearly
identified.
There is no research
other than what is
available from the
textbook or lecture
notes.
Notes are clearly
labeled with dates and
relationship to each
lesson.
Research is
documented with
appropriate citations.
Research shows a
variety of resources and
is not limited to one or
two sources.
Sketches are complete
and show all important
aspects. Drawings are
complete and show
accurate representation
of design concepts.
All journal entries
coincide with the
assignments. Dates are
Sketches are missing
more than half of the
identification of the
components. Diagrams
are not complete.
Sketches are not
complete. There are no
drawings included.
More than half of the
journal entries are
missing or are misdated.
Only one or two journal
entries are found in the
notebook.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 3
Component
4 Points
3 Points
recorded and student
has taken care to
complete each entry.
2 Points
1 Point
Remaining journal
entries are complete.
Total Points
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 4
Engineering Sketches
Name of Part: ______________________________
Pg. ___
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 5
Engineering Notes:
Engineer’s Name #1 ____________________
Engineer’s Name #2 ____________________
Date
Description of What Was Accomplished and Other Important information
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 6
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2007
GTT – Design and Modeling Unit – Lesson 1 – Activity 1.2 – The Engineer’s Notebook – Page 7