I can evaluate technical sources, benchmark comparable systems, and extract useful functions and tradeoffs.
POE Unit 5 • Lesson 5.5
Research and Benchmarking
Focus question: How can existing systems inform the capstone without causing teams to copy a solution uncritically?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
A focused sequence that advances the capstone without creating unnecessary documentation.
Opening promptConcept modelGuided workInteractive applicationEvidence checkExit ticket
Lesson Targets
What You Will Be Able to Do
Research and benchmarking summary
The benchmark compares credible sources, documents citations, and explains what will be adapted or rejected.
Activity Flow
How the Lesson Moves
Each step produces a decision, artifact, or test result needed for the capstone.
1. Find comparable systems
Search for products, patents, technical reports, and prior solutions.
2. Compare functions and tradeoffs
Record performance, interfaces, materials, cost, and limitations.
3. Extract design guidance
Identify principles to adapt rather than copying complete designs.
Lesson Interactive
Audit a Benchmarking Plan
Apply the lesson concept to a capstone aerospace-systems scenario. Use the feedback to correct your reasoning before completing the main deliverable.
Benchmarking Decision
The team finds a product advertisement, a manufacturer technical manual, a social-media clip, and a university design report.
The team should compare the transport function, interfaces, performance, and limitations—not merely copy the product shape.
Choose a credible, ethical, and requirement-focused benchmarking approach.
Today’s Work
Main Deliverable
Research and benchmarking summary
Create one focused engineering artifact that demonstrates today’s capstone progress.
- Document at least three credible benchmark sources with citations.
- Create a comparison table and state two design lessons supported by the research.
Exit Ticket
Capstone Debrief
State the most important engineering decision your team made today.
Name the evidence, requirement, interface, or risk that supports that decision.
Identify the next action and the person responsible for completing it.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 5.5 PowerPoint
Use the presentation to review the lesson concepts, examples, and activity directions.
Principles of Engineering
Return to the POE course hub for units, resources, certifications, and course information.
Aerospace Systems Capstone
Return to Unit 5 to review the capstone sequence, deliverables, and project challenges.