Design Process for Biology Class

1. Purpose: Identify the need or problem.

2. Research: Research the need or problem
• Examine current state of the issue and solutions
• Explore other options via the Internet, library, interviews, etc.

3. Develop: Develop possible solution(s)
• Brainstorm possible solutions; Draw on your research mathematics, and science.
• Think of something new; improve on known designs; make it better; dream a little!
• Articulate the possible solutions in two and three dimensions; Refine possible solutions

4. Select: Select the best possible solution(s)
• Determine which solution(s) best meet(s) the original requirements
• Will it work great?
• Does it look good?
• Do we have the materials and resources to make it correctly?

5. Construct: Construct a prototype
• Model the selected solution(s) in two and three dimensions
• Prototypes should be working models (so they can be tested thoroughly – step 6)

6. Test: Test and evaluate the solution(s)
• Does it work?
• Does it still meet all of the original design constraints?
• How could it be improved?

7. Revise: Make all possible improvements on physical prototype in order to prepare it for presentation.

8. Communicate: Communicate the solution(s)
• Make an engineering presentation that includes a discussion of how the revised solution(s) best meet(s) the needs of the initial problem, opportunity, or need.
• How does it perform? What does it cost? What can it do? What can it not do?