Design
Define the problem, generate three concepts, evaluate them, and develop a buildable final plan.
IED Unit 0
Engineering Foundations & Rocket Launch Pad Challenge
Lessons 0.1–0.3 establish course routines and safety. Beginning with Lesson 0.4, you will use the Engineering Design Process to design, build, test, improve, and defend a launch pad for the instructor-provided rocket.
Challenge Snapshot
One project. One complete engineering design cycle.
Fabricate
Complete the Hand & Cutting Tool Certification, then build using the standardized foam-board, craft-stick, straw, string, and hot-glue kit.
Test + Defend
Qualify the launch pad, make one evidence-based improvement, then compete for maximum stability and explain the final design.
Daily Lesson List
Lessons 0.1–0.3 remain unchanged. Lessons 0.4–0.10 form the continuous Rocket Launch Pad Design Challenge.
| Lesson | Title | Focus Question | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Course Launch & Engineering Mindset | What does it mean to think and work like an engineer? | Open Lesson PPTX |
| 0.2 | Engineering Notebook Setup & Course Resources | How will you organize engineering work and access course resources? | Open Lesson PPTX |
| 0.3 | Safety Acknowledgment, PPE & FabLab Orientation | How do safety expectations protect people, tools, materials, and project quality? | Open Lesson PPTX |
| 0.4 | Launch Pad Challenge: Define & Imagine | How do engineers define a problem and generate multiple possible solutions? | Open Lesson PPTX |
| 0.5 | Evaluate & Select | How can engineers use evidence to choose between competing ideas? | Open Lesson |
| 0.6 | Develop the Design | How can a detailed plan turn an idea into a buildable prototype? | Open Lesson |
| 0.7 | Fabrication Readiness | How do safe tool use and careful planning prepare a design for fabrication? | Open Lesson |
| 0.8 | Prototype Build | How do engineers turn a plan into a prototype while documenting changes? | Open Lesson |
| 0.9 | Test & Improve | How can test evidence guide a meaningful design improvement? | Open Lesson |
| 0.10 | Final Launch Pad Challenge & Design Review | How can engineers use performance evidence to defend a design? | Open Lesson Design Review PDF |
Standard Team Kit
Materials for the challenge
Rocket: use the instructor-provided rocket directly; it may not be modified.