Learning Targets
- Refine the team launch-pad concept into a build plan.
- Add labels, approximate dimensions, materials, and construction steps.
- Complete a build-readiness check before construction begins.
IED Unit 0 • Lesson 0.8
Launch Pad Build Plan
Focus Question: How does planning make a prototype easier to build and test?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
Reduce improvisation by deciding how parts, materials, dimensions, and steps fit together before building.
Learning Targets
Success Looks Like…
Another team could understand what to build, what materials to use, and what order to follow.
Core habit: Plan enough detail to reduce avoidable problems during construction.
Opening prompt
Plan requirements
Materials planning
Refine plan
Readiness check
Peer check
Exit
Opening Prompt
Could another team build from your sketch?
A concept communicates an idea; a build plan communicates how to make it.
Quick class share: What information is usually missing from a rough concept sketch?
Reveal the planning goal
A build-ready plan reduces improvisation during construction.
It identifies parts, approximate sizes, materials, connections, order of work, and likely weaknesses.
Engineering Example
Plans communicate structure before fabrication
Observe how multiple views make the platform easier to understand.
Plan Requirements
What the build plan must include
The goal is not artistic perfection; the goal is clear construction information.
Refined Sketch
Show the chosen team concept clearly.
Labels
Name the base, supports, guides, braces, and features.
Approximate Dimensions
Show important sizes and spacing.
Materials
Identify approved materials for each major part.
Build Sequence
List construction steps in a logical order.
Risk Check
Identify one likely weak point or build problem.
Materials Planning
Design with available materials in mind
Match material properties to the job each part must perform.
Structure + bracing
Connections + fit
Quick Check
Build-ready or vague?
Vote before opening the answer.
A. “Base: cardboard, approximately 8 in × 8 in, with two craft-stick support columns.”
B. “We will make the bottom strong somehow.”
Reveal the build-ready statement
A is build-ready.
It identifies a part, material, approximate size, and support approach. B does not give enough information to build or inspect.
Readiness Check
Pause before construction begins
Use the plan to find problems while they are still easy to change.
Mission Debrief
What You Submit
Leave with a plan that is ready to review with your teacher before construction.
Launch Pad Build Plan
Lesson 0.9
Launch Pad Prototype Build Day
Open Lesson 0.9Resources
Lesson 0.8 Resources
Use only the files and references that support today’s work.
Design Brief Template
Use when a project needs a more formal summary of the problem, criteria, constraints, and approach.
Introduction to Engineering Design
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