Name:

Date Started:
Group Members:
Foundations of Technology
Pringles Experiment Design Brief
1.

Period:
Due Date:

Date:

Define the Problem

What need or want must be met by the solution?
Our group is tasked to mail a Pringles Chip from one location to another, without it breaking. We are
given some straws, tape, and index cards to try and create a design in a 3 by 5 envelope, so that
the Pringle stays in 1 piece.

2.

Brainstorming
List/sketch possible solutions that might be used in your final design.
each of these ideas relates to the problem statement.

Clearly identify and describe how

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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

3.

Research and Generating Ideas

In the space below, document your research. Be sure to include proper citations at the end of your
notes.

Height
3 1/2"

6 1/8"

Length

5"

11 1/2"

Thickness

0.007"

1/4"

Weight

None

N/A

Citations/References
https://www.usps.com/ship/preparing-domestic-shipments.htm

4.

Identifying criteria and specifying constraints

What are the criteria and constraints of the design problem?

Criteria

Constraints

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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

5.

Chip must be fully intact

Stay in postal weight limit
The chip cant have a crack in it

Less than 3 of tape

6 Index Cards
8 Straws

Exploring possibilities
Reflect on your brainstormed ideas and research notes and describe the plusses and minuses of each
design approach you have considered.

Brainstorming Idea
Index Card Box
Index Card Ball
Chip Sandwich

Pluses
Sturdy. Doesnt use many of
the materials. Can fit width
requirements
Flexible. Protective padding.

Minuses
Sides are open (can be fixed). Hard to build.

Plenty of room for the chip.

Can fit width requirements

Hard to build, no way to keep chip from getting

squashed

Odd shape for chip. Exceeds width requirements

6. Selecting an Approach
a. Enter the constraints and criteria of the project in the first column.
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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

b. Score your brainstorming ideas against each constraint or criterion and indicate how well the idea
meets the criteria and constraints.
3 pts = easily meets, 2 pts = somewhat meets, 1 pt. = does not meet
c. Total the columns and circle the highest score to indicate your best design idea.
Constraint/Criterion

Index Box

Index Ball

Chip-wich

Cant Exceed inch

width

8 Straws

6 Index Cards

3 of tape

Chip must stay fully

intact

14

12

Total

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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

7. Developing a Design Proposal

Based on the evaluation of your ideas, develop a design proposal for the highest scoring idea. Include
working drawings (sketches with dimensions, so that you could build your project). Attach your
working drawings to this sheet. Determine the materials you plan to use based on your design. List
the material and quantity below.
Material to be Used
Tape

Qty
3 Inches

Straws

Index Cards

Envelope

Chip

8. Making a model or prototype

In the space below, document the construction of the model/prototype. Be sure to include
sketches/pictures as appropriate.
Construction in-process

Construction in-process

Construction in-process

Final Product

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Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

9. Testing and Evaluating the Design, using specifications

As you create your solution, you will perform tests to make sure that the solution is meeting the needs
of the given problem. If your solution does not work, you may need to repeat the previous steps of the
Engineering Design Process, until you find a functional design. In the space below, document the type
of tests you conducted and the results.
Test Performed

Test Results

10.Refining the Design

Based on your tests, what design refinements should be made to the prototype to ensure that it can
satisfy all of the criteria and constraints of the design problem.
Refinements

11.Creating or Making It
Modify your model/prototype to incorporate the design refinements you identified in section 10. What
additional steps would be necessary to produce the final product for the customer?

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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

12.Communicating processes and results

a) Demonstrate the operation of your Crane Strain device to the class. As part of your demonstration,
describe the steps involved in creating your device.
b) Complete the Crane Strain Efficiency calculations (

and present your data

to the teacher.

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design