Engineering Practice: Construct and Use Models and Prototypes

Engineers use a variety of types of models such as sketches, physical renderings, computer representations, and equations to depict, examine, test, and evaluate one or more parts of the design. Data from models can inform the development of prototypes—fully functional versions of the intended product that can be tested further.

“We Can’t Bring a River”

As students prepare to engineer a TarPul (a type of bridge), their teacher explains how they will use a model instead. Students share ideas for how they can model weight in the TarPul to test their designs. Watch & Reflect:

Reflection Questions

She connects with the goal of transporting people in the TarPul by asking if students can fit inside their model. She asks students to share ideas of what they could use in place of people and what features those items would need to have.  

  1. It’s too expensive to make a full-scale TarPul.
  2. Engineers use models to help them see how their idea might work and find any problems before constructing the final product.
  3. It is faster to build, test, and improve a model than a full-size TarPul.
  4. It’s safer to test this version before trying it with real people.  

Related Practices: Consider Problems in Context, Use Systems Thinking, Communicate Effectively
Featured Unit: Evaluating a Landscape