Westlake High School Technology & Engineering Dept.
DESIGN SQUAD (Semester Lesson Plan/Assignments)
1. Assign seats; Introduction to DESIGN SQUAD (the class, on TV,Day 1
the WEB); Show videos: “Engineers Are Cool”; Judy Lee of “Engineer
Your Life”; AutoDesk “What is 3D?”; Distribute Expectations Page
2. Review Expectations page: Distribute STUDENT SURVEYDay 2
3. Begin “Technology” PPT – stop at slide one - have students define Day 3
what “Technology” is (then, “one minute to print it” for examples) – continue PPT;
discuss the7 technological systems; Distribute/discuss “Design Process” graphic;
Review the “Technology Flashcards”
______week 1
4. Distribute “Freehand Sketching” H.O.; Start Nameplate ideation;
Review “Axonometric” PPT and draw isometric on green paper;
Distribute Nameplate rubric; begin sketching ideas (4)Day 4/5
5. Complete and grade Nameplate; review for “Technology” quizDay 6
6. Take “Technology & Design Process” QUIZDay 7
7. Discuss binder check and fill out table of contents; discuss quizDay 8______week 2
8. Discuss “PaperTower” activity; start sketches; assign groups Day 9
Activity #1 design brief – “Paper Tower” (Intro.; 4 Sketches; Build & Test 1 & 2;
Summary; Technical Drawing): Challenge – Design a paper tower with 3 sheets of paper
______and 18” of tape as tall as you can in order to support one/two ping pong ball(s).______
9. Brainstorm and sketch final super design in group/start buildingDay 10
10. Tower Design “Test One” Day Day 11
11. Start Tower Design “Test Two” in same groupDay 12 week 3
12. Tower Design “Test Two” Day (final measurement)Day 13
13. Start Tower Design SummaryDay 14
14. Complete Tower Design Summary; Begin Tower Design DrawingDay 15
15. Complete Tower Design Drawing; View Design Squad IKEA episodeDay 16____ week 4_
16. Check over and complete Binder Checks: Begin “Paper Table” activity;
start sketches then assign groupsDay 17
17. Brainstorm and sketch final super design in group/start buildingDay 18
18. Complete build and begin Paper Table “Test One” in same groupDay 19
19. Complete “Test One” and begin Paper Table “Test Two” Day 20_____ week 5
20. Complete build and begin Paper Table “Test Two” in same groupDay 19
21. Complete Paper Table “Test Two”; start summary and drawingDay 20
22. Complete summary/drawing; view Design Squad PVC Kayak episodeDay 21 _week 6
20. Brainstorm and sketch for “Lunar Lander”; assign groupsDay 22
21. Brainstorm and sketch final super design in group/start buildingDay 23
22. Complete build and start Test One for Lunar Lander (3 tests total)Day 24
23. BINDER CHECKweek 7
Reminder of Term activities (based on time and consideration of other special events):
- CORRUGATED (CARDBOARD) CHAIR CHALLENGE (long term project)
- WATERCRAFT CHALLENGE OR RUBBERBAND VEHICLE CHALLENGE
- PADDLE POWER CHALLENGE ORON TARGET (CATAPULT) CHALLENGE
Capstone (end of semester) activity – choose one:
- ROV SUBMARINE CHALLENGEORHEAVY LIFTING CHALLENGE
- PVC KAYAK
- GRAVITY RACING CHALLENGE (GRC) @ SOAP BOX DERBY
- OTHER CONTEST(S)
Semester Examweek 18
Notes/Tips: For differentiation (higher level learners), and if time permits, utilize the “Take It To The Next Level” section (or “”Redesign” section) at the end of each activity.
Questions for guiding students:
To help a student…Ask…
Stay focused on the activity“What do you need to do now?”
“How does your idea work?”
Answer his/her own question“That’s an interesting question, how can
we find out?”
“Why do you think this happened?”
Problem-solve or try another approach“Is there another way to look at this?”
“Why do you think this is happening?”
Make connections to the real world“What does this remind you of?”
“What are other examples where this happens?”
Improve his/her design“Could you change something to make it
work better?”
“What else would you like to try?”