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Name of NGM Educator:

Wendy A. Ku, Project lead the Way Technology and Engineering

Simsbury High School

Name of Host Company:

Trumpf, Inc.

Grade Level:

9th - 12th (secondary)

Student Work Types:

• Brainstorming annotated sketches
• Team/group sketches and design review presentations
• Company visitation/field trip

Task Abstract:

Students will work cooperatively in groups in designing a coffee mug. They will be required to brainstorm and record their ideas and design through an annotated sketch and present their ideas in a presentation to the class. 

Task Objectives:

Students will:

• Be able to cooperatively function in design groups
• explain brainstorming rules
• create annotated sketches of their designs
• demonstrate and document the brainstorming process of the design process
• demonstrate and document the 12 steps in the design process

Esssential Understandings/Questions:

• What is the advantage of working in teams instead of individually?
• What are the rules for brainstorming?
• What are four employability skills that will enable a person to become a more valuable member to any team?

Task Description:

Students will have to work in groups to brainstorm a new design for a coffee mug. The students will work in groups and utilize the rules of brainstorming to generate ideas for a new design.

Resources Required:

• Microspoft PowerPoint
• Engineering Notebook
• Pen and Pencil
• 3D CAD software AutoDesk Inventor

Prior Learning Required:

The design process, brainstorming rules, engineering notebook, annotated sketching

Students will be required to keep an engineering journal containing sketches, data, revisions, and conclusions for their project. The journal will then be graded against a standard rubric.

Individual or Group Work: 

Group work

Educator Comments: My experience at Trumpf, Inc. emphasized the importance of teaching proper technical communication skills, team work, and proper modeling skills. I was happy to see that what I have been and will be teaching in my classroom co-relates and integrates with what I learned.