BOTTLE ROCKETS AND PARAMETRIC DESIGN IN A CONVERGING-DIVERGING DESIGN STRATEGY

Paris R. von Lockette, Mechanical Eng.Dominic Acciani, Civil and Environmental Eng.Jennifer Courtney, Writing ArtsKevin Dahm, Chemical Eng.Chenguang Diao, Mechanical Eng.Roberta Harvey, Writing ArtsBernard Pietrucha, Electrical and Computer Eng.Will Riddell, Civil and Environmental Eng.

What is Design and what is Designing?

Generating solutions to problems Making decisions and assessing the

outcomes Creating products, devices, processes,

or systems

To formalize our approach, we develop a framework.

Dym’s Dichotomous Learning Models

Engineering Science vs. Design

Engineering science places emphasis on the ability to apply mathematics and physical laws to the analysis and solution of problems.

Engineering design emphasizes the ability to generate ideas that satisfy requirements and conform to constraints.

Where Do They Meet?

Analyzing how well the design meets the criteria?

What Happens if They Do Not Meet?

Students remain "unaffected by their education”

Math

Physics

Chemistry

Design Solution

DesignIdeas

A Framework for Decision Making

Converging-Diverging Thought Framework

Converging: decisions that move toward a solution within the design space

Diverging: decisions that broaden our design space

Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking

Convergent thinking (a) the generation of constructive

design ideas

(b) analysis and problem solving that assesses a particular design’s efficacy.

Divergent thinking ideas that do not have to lead directly

to the best solution or fall within the constraints.

Teaching Design: Our Take on the Converging-Diverging Framework

Volume Water

Dis

tanc

e

Convergent Thinking

Divergent Thinking

Analysis

Design

Problem Solving xmF

The Divergent Arena

Initial Choices Fin Shapes Amount of Water Amount of Playdoh

Redirection

Expanding Design Space

Convergent Thinking

Analysis

Design

Problem Solving xmF

Divergent Thinking

The Convergent Arena

C. Problem Solving Rocket Equations

C. Analysis Experimentation

C. Design Choices: H2O, Fins, Clay Modifications ?

Convergent Thinking

Divergent Thinking

Analysis

Design

Problem Solving xmF

Convergent Analysis: Parametric Design

Formalize the link between C. Analysis & Problem Solving and C. Design

Systematic testing of independent variables Results of analyses influence future designs

Convergent Thinking

Divergent Thinking

Analysis

Design

Problem Solving xmF

Convergent Analysis: Parametric Design with Limited Design Space

Water Volume

Playdoh Mass

Wing Aspect Ratio

Design Parameters

LengthHeight

Volume Water

Dis

tan

ceD

ista

nce

Volume Water

Fin Aspect Ratio

Design Space

Possible outcomes given available parameters

Variable 1

Var

iabl

e 2

Limit of variable 1

Limit of variable 2

Local Maxima

Restricted search

Food for Thought

1. Identify what aspects of the project require/use convergent thinking. Make further delineations between which are convergent problem solving and which are convergent design? Identify and categorize as many as you can. Hint: Generate a list of the decisions that you made and

the thought processes that led to those decisions then work from that list.

2. Using the aspects of the project you have already identified above, discuss why you would consider the first day convergent or divergent thinking?

Food for Thought 3. Does the statement below describe a convergent

experiment? Why or why not? “While keeping the fins and the clay the same, vary the

amount of water in the rocket, then re-test. Continue until you have several data points.”

4. Assign at least one team member to take notes on the behavior of all the rockets during the launch off paying specific attention to the key parameters discussed above. Do you notice any trends or similarities in rockets that are successful (or unsuccessful)? If so what are they? If not, why do you think you do not see any trends?