Activity 2.4.1 – How Stuff Works
Introduction
Thousands of products we use on a daily basis and through our life time but we
have absolutely no idea how they work. Imagine that you were an alien that came to
the Earth to analyze the products that humans use. You must present this
information back to your home planet.
People are surrounded by everyday products, such as the automobile, that have
gone through the design process from an idea to seemingly countless variations of a
design. Any product that we use solves a specific problem and we take for granted
how it works. Close examination of the product, purpose, and analysis of how it
works will greatly enhance your understanding of the engineering design process.
Equipment



Computer
Internet access
Microsoft PowerPoint
Procedure
In this activity, your team will analyze how a product works and trace it from its function
to how it does what it does.
You will select a product that your team has an interest in. The product that your team
selects must be pre-approved by your instructor to avoid similarities.
Use the Internet, books, and other reference materials to search for information on how
the product you have selected works. Save information and graphics to your student
folder to be used in the development of a PowerPoint presentation. Make sure you
record information your engineer’s notebook. Your research should focus on the
following information:
 Why was the product invented? Or what problem did it solve?
 What constrains or limits your product?
 What materials are used to make the product?
 How does the product work?
Develop a three-to-five minute PowerPoint presentation that includes the following
information:
 Title Slide with your names, class, period, and selected product
 Explanation of the Problem Statement
 How the product works
 What are the constraints of the product
 Effects on society and the environment
 A Reference page of at least four internet sites and other sources used to
gather your presentation information
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010
IED – Unit 2 – Lesson 2.4 - Activity 2.4.1 – How Stuff Work – Page 1
You will present your findings to the class.
Topics
Content
Organization
Delivery
Preparation
Quality
Theme
Readability
Creativity
Pictures
Bibliography
4 points
Thoroughly and clearly
states the main points and
precise details that are
accurately focused on the
design project.
3 points
Adequately states the
main points and details
that are accurately
focused on the design
project.
2 points
States most of the main
points and details that
focus on the design
project. May include
some unnecessary
information.
Fair evidence of a logical
sequence of information.
Some use of an outline.
Weak introduction or
conclusion.
1 point
States few main points
and details that focus on
the design project, or
information does not
relate to topic.
Clearly organized into a
logical sequence.
Excellent use of an outline.
Excellent introduction and
conclusion.
Adequate evidence of a
logical sequence of
information. Good use of
an outline. Satisfactory
introduction and
conclusion.
Effectively and creatively
delivers the information
while staying on the topic
and considering the
audience. Uses voice
variation; interesting and
vivid to hear.
Presentation shows
detailed preparation and
practice in delivery
including use of voice,
posture, eye contact,
gestures and pace. Good
use of pictures, graphs,
computer models, etc.
Interesting and vivid.
Adequately delivers the
information while staying
on the topic and
considering the
audience. Speaks clearly
and confidently.
Delivers the information
but does not stay on the
topic. Little consideration
of audience. Uses
incomplete sentences.
Presentation shows
satisfactory preparation,
as well as practice in
delivery including use of
voice, posture, eye
contact, gestures, and
pace. Some use of
pictures, graphs, and
computer models, etc.
Presentation shows
some preparation and
practice in the delivery
including marginal use of
voice, posture, eye
contact, gestures, pace.
Limited pictures, graphs,
and computer models.
Effective use of templates
or designs which make the
slides visually appealing.
Presentation lasted three to
five minutes.
Effective use of
templates. Slides were
somewhat appealing.
Presentation lasted three
to five minutes.
The PowerPoint had a
consistent theme that
flowed well throughout the
presentation.
All words and text are
large, bold, and easy to
read. Statements are brief
and concise.
The PowerPoint had a
theme, but did not flow
well throughout the
presentation.
Most of the words and
text are large, bold, and
easy to read. Statements
are brief and concise.
Ineffective use of
templates. Slides were
somewhat appealing, but
were not consistent.
Presentation did not
adhere to timeframe.
The PowerPoint theme
was limited or
unorganized during most
of the presentation.
Some of the words and
text are difficult to read.
Statements are too long
or are missing important
elements.
The presentation has many
exciting elements that
make it stand out from
other presentations.
There is an abundance of
relevant, high quality
pictures that support and
enhance the presentation.
The presentation has
some exciting elements
which allow it to stand
out.
There are some relevant
pictures that helped to
enhance the
presentation.
There is little evidence of
creativity that would allow
this presentation to stand
out.
There are only a few
relevant or quality
pictures to enhance the
presentation.
The presentation lacks
creativity and detail.
There are four or more
Internet sites or other
documentation cited in the
PowerPoint. Utilized APA
style with no errors.
There are three Internet
sites or other
documentation cited in
the PowerPoint. Utilized
APA style, but may have
had some minor errors.
There are two Internet
sites or other
documentation cited in
the PowerPoint. Did not
follow APA style or had
major errors.
There is only one Internet
site or other
documentation cited in
the PowerPoint. Did not
follow APA style.
Minimal or no outline
followed. No logical
organization; some
digressions. Unclear or
confusing. No
introduction or
conclusion.
Little or no attempt is
made to stay on the
topic. Does not consider
audience. Presentation is
difficult to follow and
understand.
Presentation is lacking in
preparation and practice
of the delivery including
use of voice, posture,
eye contact, gestures,
pacing, and little or no
use of pictures, graphs,
and computer models.
Difficult to hear. Speaker
appears tense. Fidgets
often.
Slides were not effective
or appealing.
Presentation did not
adhere to timeframe.
Presentation showed
little preparation.
The PowerPoint had no
evidence of a theme.
Most of the words and
text are difficult to read.
Statements are too long
or nonexistent.
Presentation lacks detail.
There is little or no
evidence of quality
pictures.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010
IED – Unit 2 – Lesson 2.4 - Activity 2.4.1 – How Stuff Work – Page 2
Activity 2.4.1 – How Stuff Works
Project Timeline
3/6
Introduction,
Development of
teams and Product
Selection
3/7
Product Research
3/8
Development of
Presentation
3/11- 3/15
Presentations
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010
IED – Unit 2 – Lesson 2.4 - Activity 2.4.1 – How Stuff Work – Page 3