ENGINEERING  
DESIGN  
NOTEBOOK  
TEMPLATE  
 
NAME:    _____________________  
 
SCHOOL:  ___________________
 Engineering  Design  Notebook  Template  Overview  
 
The   purpose   of   this   notebook   is   to   provide   a   structure   for   all   MESA   students   to   fully  
document   their   work   as   they   build   their   individual   prototypes.     The   following  
notebook   has   a   template   for   each   step   of   the   engineering   design   process.     Each  
group   should   reference   the   templates   as   they   begin   to   document   their   findings  
throughout  the  MESA  program.  
 
Each  template  can  be  used  as  a  guide  for  students  to  not  only  build  their  prototype,  
but   also   document   the   needed   information   to   fully   compete   in   the   MESA   State  
Competition.  
 
Instruction  for  Teachers  
 
• Make  sure  each  student  has  a  blank  notebook.    Either  college  rule  or  
composition  is  acceptable.      
• Have  students  set  up  their  MESA  Notebook.    Display  the  individual  templates  
on  a  document  camera  so  all  students  will  copy  down  the  structure  of  each  
template  in  their  notebook.        You  can  do  this  all  at  once  or  over  time.  
• Be  aware  that  Steps  4,  5  and  7  might  require  students  to  make  multiple  
copies  of  the  template  in  their  journal.    Thus,  leave  enough  room  in  their  
journal  to  allow  space.  
• After  students  have  set-­‐up  their  notebook,  each  student  will  use  their  
notebook  along  with  the  MESA  curriculum.  
 
 
Questions  or  Concerns  
 
If   you   have   any   questions   or   concerns,   please   contact   Leon   Haskins   at  
[email protected]  or  253-­‐535-­‐8879.      
 
 

   

  2  
  
OVERVIEW  
OF  THE  
ENGINEERING  
DESIGN  
PROCESS  
 
 

  3  
  
Engineering  Design  Process  
 
The  engineering  design  process  (EDP)  is  a  cyclical  model  that  is  designed  to  help  
scientists  and  engineers  build  up  ideas  to  turn  them  into  real  world  projects.    
“Cyclical”  means  that  you  will  evaluate  and  repeat  many  of  these  steps  as  you  develop  
your  ideas  and  prototypes.        Complete  the  engineering  design  process  for  every  
MESA  engineering  project.  
 
 

Step  1-­‐  Define  the  Problem:    Carefully  read  the  MESA  Contest  
Specifications.    Take  notes  and  summarize  the  details  of  the  specifications  
by  listing  criteria  to  solving  the  problem,  constraints,  and  outcomes.    

 
 

Step  2  -­‐  Research:    Gather  background  information  about  this  problem.    

Have  other  people  experience  the  same  problem?    Look  for  research  on  
products  or  solutions  that  have  been  developed  or  used  to  solve  the  
problem.      

 
 

Step  3  -­‐  Brainstorm:    As  a  team,  brainstorm  different  ideas  that  could  
solve  the  problem  based  on  research  and  group  ideas.    Use  the  SCAMPER  
technique  to  help  you  with  brainstorming.    

 
 

Step  4  -­‐  Create  a  Design  Brief:  Plan  and  outline  the  process  of  building  
your  prototype.    The  design  brief  defines  materials  needed,  a  sketch  of  the  
prototype,  and  a  description  how  the  prototype  will  function.  

  4  
  

Step  5.  Review  Design  Brief:    Ask  your  teachers,  parents,  experts  and  
your  peers  to  review  your  design  brief.    Eliminate  and/or  add  ideas  to  
your  design  brief.      Analyze  your  solution  for  safety  and  practicality.  

 
 

Step  6  -­‐  Build:    Analyze  the  project  design  for  its  systems,  components,  
and  parts.    Consider  appropriate  materials,  tools  and  methods  for  
constructing  a  model.    Now  build  a  model  of  the  entire  design  and/or  it  
systems.  

 
 
 

Step  7  -­‐  Test,  Evaluate  and  Revise:    Run  an  experiment  by  testing  your  
prototype  according  to  the  MESA  conditions  and  specifications.    Evaluate  
your  prototype:    Is  it  functional  and  safe?    How  can  you  improve  it?    
Modify  and  then  retest  your  prototype.    After  each  time  your  team  tests  
your  prototype,  make  sure  you  are  documenting  your  findings.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Step  8  -­‐  Reflection:    Once  you  no  longer  have  time  to  modify  your    
prototype,  document  your  findings,  recommendations  and  conclusions.      
This  will  allow  your  team  to  effectively  communicate  your  results  and  as    
well  as  have  recommendations  to  use  the  following  year.    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

  5  
  
 
Engineering  
Design  
Process  
Templates  

  6  
 Step  1.  Define  the  Problem:    Carefully  read  the  MESA  Contest  
Specifications.    Take  notes  and  summarize  the  details  of  the  specifications  
  by  listing  criteria  to  solving  the  problem,  constraints,  and  outcomes.    
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  1  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.        
 
Read  the  rules  to  the  MESA  contest  and  fill  out  the  information  below.  
 
MESA  Engineering  Project:    _________________________________________  
 
Make  a  list  of  the  competition  tasks.   Make  a  list  of  possible  constraints.      
(What  does  your  prototype  have  to   Be  specific!  
complete?)   (Possible   c onstraints   can  include  time,  
materials,  skills,  information,  and/or  budget)  
   

Make  a  list  of  the  main  points  from  the  MESA  Contest  Specifications.  
 

 
Problem  Summary  
Use  the  information  above  and  summarize  the  main  problem  of  this  engineering  
project.  
 
 

  7  
 Step  2.  Research:    Gather  background  information  about  this  problem.    Have  
other  people  experience  the  same  problem?    Look  for  research  on  products  or  
  solutions  that  have  been  developed  or  used  to  solve  the  problem.        
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  2  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
Answer  the  following  questions  by  researching  online,  researching  through  books,  or  
talking  to  professionals.    Make  sure  you  include  your  references.    Complete  all  (4)  parts  
of  this  section.        NOTE:    Students  will  have  to  refer  back  to  their  answers  in  Engineering  
Step  1  to  complete  this  section.  
 

Part  1:    How  does  a  _______________________________  work?    (Fill  in  the  blank  with  the  
project  you  are  currently  working  on.)  
 
 
 

References:  

Part  2:  Look  at  your  problem  summary  that  you  filled  out  during  Step  1  of  the  
Engineering  Design  Process.    How  does  your  problem  summary  to  a  real  world  
problem?    What  are  some  real-­‐world  solutions  to  your  MESA  project  problem?  
 
 
 

References:  

 
 
 

  8  
 Step  2.  Research:    Gather  background  information  about  this  problem.    Have  
other  people  experience  the  same  problem?    Look  for  research  on  products  or  
  solutions  that  have  been  developed  or  used  to  solve  the  problem.        
 
 

Part  3:    Look  at  your  answer  to  the  previous  question  (Part  2),  what  materials  
and  tools  did  engineers/  use  to  solve  that  the  real-­‐world  problem?  
 
 
 

References:  

Part  4:    Choose  a  design  that  you  like  to  model  your  prototype  after  and  describe  
it!    Include  a  picture  if  possible.    (You  will  use  this  information  to  complete  
Engineering  Process  Step  3).  
 
 
 

References:  

  9  
 Step  3  -­‐  Brainstorm:    As  a  team,  brainstorm  different  ideas  that  could  
solve  the  problem  based  on  research  and  group  ideas.    Use  the  SCAMPER  
technique  to  help  you  with  brainstorming.      
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  3  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
Pick  a  pre-­‐existing  design  of  your  current  project.  Use  the  SCAMPER  technique  to  
brainstorm  different  ways  to  modify  the  pre-­‐existing  design.    NOTE:    Students  will  have  
to  refer  back  to  their  answers  in  Engineering  Step  2  to  complete  this  section.  
 
 
 
SCAMPER   Questions  to  ask  about   What  is  your  proposed   How  does  the  modification  
your  pre-­‐existing   modification?       improve  the  pre-­‐existing  
design   design?  
Substitute   What  kind  of  alternate      
materials  can  I  use?  

Combine   What  could  be  added?        

How  can  I  combine  
materials  or  
components?  
Adapt   How  can  it  be  adjusted  to      
fit  another  purpose?  

Magnify  or   What  happens  if  I      

Minimize   exaggerate  a  component?    
How  can  it  be  made  
smaller  or  shorter?  
Put  to  other   Can  you  change  a      
uses   component  to  be  used  for  
another  purpose?  

Eliminate  or   What  can  be  removed  or      

Elaborate   taken  away  from  it?    
What  can  be  expanded  or  
developed  more?  
Reverse  or   Can  I  interchange  any      
Rearrange   components?    What  can  
be  turned  around  or  
placed  in  an  opposite  
direction?  

  10  
 Step  4  -­‐  Create  a  Design  Brief:    Plan  and  outline  the  process  of  building  your  
prototype.    The  design  brief  defines  materials  needed,  a  sketch  of  the  prototype,  
and  a  description  how  the  prototype  will  function.  
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  4  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
Based  on  your  brainstorming  activity,  create  a  design  brief.    Each  student  should  plan  
how  he  or  she  will  build  their  design  BEFORE  they  start  building.    Be  as  detailed  as  
possible.    Complete  all  (3)  parts  of  this  section.  
 
Part  1:    Sketch  
 
Directions:    Sketch  what  your  prototype  will  look  like.    Include  three  different  views  of  
the  prototype  as  well  as  approximate  dimensions.  
Front  View   Side  View  

Top  View  

  11  
 Step  4  -­‐  Create  a  Design  Brief:    Plan  and  outline  the  process  of  building  your  
prototype.    The  design  brief  defines  materials  needed,  a  sketch  of  the  prototype,  
  and  a  description  how  the  prototype  will  function.  
 
 
 
Part  2:    Materials,  Tools  and  Budget  
 
Based  on  the  results  of  your  brainstorm  activity  and  your  sketch,  fill  out  the  following  
information  about  your  prototype.  
Items   Quantity   Cost  
     

Material  
List  

 
Total  Cost  of  Prototype  
 

Tool  List  

  12  
 Step  4  -­‐  Create  a  Design  Brief:    Plan  and  outline  the  process  of  building  your  
prototype.    The  design  brief  defines  materials  needed,  a  sketch  of  the  prototype,  
 
and  a  description  how  the  prototype  will  function.  
 
 
 
Part  3:  Procedures  for  Building  Prototype  
 
Directions:    Summarize  how  you  will  you  use  tools  and  materials  to  build  your  
prototype.      Additionally,  summarize  how  your  prototype  will  function  and  
complete  the  MESA  competition  tasks.  
 

Estimated  Amount  of  Building  Time    

  13  
 Step  5.  Review  Design  Brief:    Ask  your  teachers,  parents,  experts  and  your  peers  to  
review  your  design  brief.    Based  on  the  each  reviewer’s  notes,  eliminate  and/or  add  
ideas  to  your  design  brief.      Analyze  your  solution  for  safety  and  practicality.  
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  5  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
Print  out  or  show  your  design  brief  to  your  teacher,  parents,  peers,  or  experts.    Show  as  
many  people  as  you  can!    Have  each  person  (reviewer)  fill  out  the  following  checklist  to  
review  your  design  brief.    
 
 
Team  Name:  ____________________________________________________________________________  
 
Student  Name(s):    ______________________________________________________________________  
 
 
Reviewer  Statements   Circle  One  

1.    The  sketch  directly  reflects  the  procedure  of  the  building   Y   N  

prototype.  
2.    The  material  list  contains  all  the  materials  needed  to   Y   N  
completely  build  the  prototype.  
3.    The  tool  list  contains  all  the  tools  needed  to  completely  build   Y   N  
the  prototype.  
4.    There  are  not  any  missing  steps  in  the  procedure  of  building   Y   N  
the  prototype.  
5.    The  prototype  will  be  functional  and  safe.   Y   N  

6.    The  estimated  amount  of  time  to  build  the  prototype  is   Y   N  
realistic.  
 
Reviewer  Notes  
 
 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________  
 
 
Reviewer  Name:  _________________________________________________________  
 
 
Review  Signature:    _______________________________________________________  

  14  
 Step  6  -­‐  Build:    Analyze  the  project  design  for  its  systems,  components,  and  parts.    
Consider  appropriate  materials,  tools  and  methods  for  constructing  a  model.    
  Now  build  a  model  of  the  entire  design  and/or  it  systems.    
 
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  information  to  complete  Step  6  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process.  
 
Tips  for  Building  a  Successful  Prototype  
 
 
• Keep  a  clean  workstation;  be  aware  of  the  location  of  all  
materials  and  tools.  
• Read  the  MESA  Contest  Specifications  carefully  before  
starting  the  competition.    Make  sure  you  are  building  a  
prototype  that  will  successfully  complete  each  MESA  
competition  task.  
• Plan  before  you  build.    It  is  better  to  plan  out  your  ideas  
before  acting  upon  them.    This  allows  you  not  to  waste  
material  or  time.    
• Write  everything  down.    These  projects  take  a  long  time  
to  build  so  if  you  write  everything  on  paper  (i.e.  data,  
future  plans,  procedure),  you  don’t  have  to  try  to  
remember  things  over  a  long  period  of  time.  
• Tools  are  not  toys.    Use  tools  properly  and  be  careful  
with  any  tool  in  the  classroom.    If  you  don’t  know  how  to  
use  a  tool,  ask  your  teacher  of  an  adult  for  assistance.  
• “Measure  twice,  cut  once.”    When  cutting  any  material,  
it  is  best  to  measure  multiple  times  for  accuracy  before  
permanently  altering  the  material.  
• Manage  your  time  well.    One  main  constraint  for  all  
engineers  is  time.    You  will  not  get  an  unlimited  amount  
of  time  to  build  your  prototype.    So  make  sure  your  team  
is  managing  your  time  well.  
• Have  fun  and  be  safe!    Most  students  do  not  get  a  chance  
to  build  their  own  designs.    So  be  as  creative  as  you  can  
and  have  fun.  

  15  
 Step  7  -­‐  Test,  Evaluate  and  Revise:    Run  an  experiment  by  testing  your  prototype  
according  to  the  MESA  conditions  and  specifications.    Evaluate  your  prototype:    Is  it  
functional  and  safe?    How  can  you  improve  it?    Modify  and  then  retest  your  
   After  each  time  your  team  tests  your  prototype,  make  sure  you  are  
prototype.  
  documenting  your  findings.  
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  7  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
In  the  classroom,  run  an  experiment  according  to  the  MESA  conditions  outlined  in  the  
specifications.    Test  your  prototype  and  document  your  findings.    Be  prepared  to  use  
this  template  multiple  times  for  each  prototype  you  build.  
 
MESA  Contest:    
Individual  Competition  Task  
(if  any):  
 
 
Prototype  Results  without  any  modification  
Trial   Observations   Dependent   Dependent  
Variable  1   Variable  2  

1        
2        
3        

 
Prototype  Results  with  modification  
Name  the  proposed    
modification:  
Trial   Observations   Dependent   Dependent  
Variable  1   Variable  2  

1        
2        
3        

 
 
Did  the  modification  improve  your  prototype?           Yes         No  
 

  16  
 Step  8  -­‐  Reflection:    Once  you  no  longer  have  time  to  modify  your  
prototype,  document  your  findings,  recommendations  and  conclusions.    
This  will  allow  your  team  to  effectively  communicate  your  results  and  as  
well  as  have  recommendations  to  use  the  following  year.  
 
 
Directions:    Use  the  following  template  to  complete  Step  8  of  the  Engineering  Design  
Process  in  your  MESA  Engineering  Notebook.      
 
 
Summary  of  Results  
 
Write  a  summary  of  how  modifying  your  prototype  either  improved  or  worsen  your  original  
design.  
 

 
 
Summary  of  Recommendations  
 
Answer  the  following  question:    If  you  had  more  time  and  possibly  more  resources,  how  would  
you  design  your  prototype  different?  

  17  
  

  18