General Instructions:
Follow these steps to complete your task:
1. Choose what your PRODUCT is. (This includes research)
2. Cost Analysis
3. Mathematical Article
4. Prototype
5. Design Poster
6. Multimedia Presentation
BIG IDEA:
Engineering design is a creative process that anyone can do which may result in new inventions and innovations.
Mathematics is used in the creation of various consumer products, such as GEOMETRY and MEASUREMENT!
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
How does engineering design help create inventions and innovations?
What role do mathematics and engineering play in product design?
How do I use geometry and measurement skills to create a prototype of my design?
OVERVIEW:
As a product designer, you will work to create the hot new item of the holiday season. You will research the need for this item
in the sales market, along with the appropriate audience to sell it to. You will create a design for your product, including the
necessary mathematical concepts to make your product visually and financially appealing to your audience. You will develop a
prototype that will be used in the sales pitch to the management team of your company. Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of your
product will be a necessary part of your product creation, along with setting a price that is reasonable for the consumer while
being profitable for your company.
GOAL:
Your task is to create and design a consumer product that you feel would be marketable as the hot new item of the holiday
season. Your challenge is to include the necessary mathematical concepts that would make your product cost-effective while
maintaining overall appeal of the product.
ROLE:
You are a newly hired product designer for a respected design company in New York City. You are asked to create the hot new
item of the holiday season. You will be responsible for using a variety of mathematical concepts in the creation and design of
your products.
AUDIENCE:
Your audience is the management team in the design company that will be sponsoring your product. You will create a
1 of 10
presentation that provides the team with the information needed to manufacture and produce the item for the upcoming holiday
season. You will also need to demonstrate how this product will be cost-productive for the company.
SITUATION:
As a product designer, you will work to create the hot new item of the holiday season. You will research the need for this item on
the sales market, along with the targeted sales group appropriate for your product. You will create a design for your product,
including the necessary mathematical concepts that will make your product visually and financially appealing to your targeted
group. You will develop a prototype that will be used in the sales pitch to the management team of your company. Analyzing the
cost-effectiveness of your product will be a necessary part of your product creation, along with setting a price that is reasonable
for the consumer while being profitable for your company.
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION:
Complete your products in this order:
1. Cost Analysis
2. Mathematics Journal Article
3. Prototype
4. Design Poster
5. Multimedia Presentation
PRODUCTS:
Cost Analysis
Calculate how much you will need to charge for your product based upon the costs of the materials and labor used to
design and build the product. Fill in the graphic organizer outlining the costs to make and sell the product.
Design Poster
You will create a design poster that explains the steps involved in creating your product. Describe each step in the
process one would follow to create your design. With each step, include any materials needed.
Mathematics Journal Article
You will write an article for a popular Mathematical Journal about the various mathematical concepts that were used to
create your product. Be sure to include at least one chart or graph to illustrate these concepts.
For example, a graph might show the amount of right angles used to create a toy.
Multimedia Presentation
You will need to create a 1-2 minute multimedia presentation showcasing your product. The intended outcome of this
presentation is that your product is chosen for manufacturing. The use of mathematical concepts should be thoroughly
explained in the presentation to demonstrate the quality, durability, and cost effectiveness of your product.
Prototype
You want this product to be something that is very popular and that will sell very well! You will need to create a
2 of 10
prototype of your product (which is a first round model of something). This prototype will help the design company
create copies of your product in order to sell it to many people. When you create a prototype, you must use exact
measurements that can be copied by the factories where your product will be made by the design company.
You will create a prototype of your product using appropriate scale factors from your written design. All mathematical
concepts used in the creation of your product should be thoroughly noted.
Sales Pitch
You will create a 2 minute sales pitch where you will explain your product along with its benefits and who its targeted
sales group is. You will want to show your audience an example of your product while explaining the mathematical
concepts involved with its creation. You should use visuals, such as Powerpoint, to enhance your presentation.
TV Commercial
You will create a television commercial for your product. Target the age group for which your product is intended.
Highlight the features that make your product special along with the features that will make it a top selling item this
holiday season.
RUBRICS:
3 of 10
Entering the
Data Into the
Table (x1)
Minimal understanding of
Minimal understanding
Mathematical
multi-digit multiplication
of multi-digit
Thinking (x1)
related to costs
multiplication
associated with a product
4
Data table is designed using
computer table design tool.
Data table is suitable for
representation of data collected.
Appropriate legends are
included as needed for
understanding of data.
Independent and dependent
variables are labeled
appropriately. Data cells are
scaled consistently. Appropriate
title is included and units are
labeled appropriately
throughout data table.
Basic understanding of
multi-digit multiplication
related to costs associated
with a product
Advanced understanding of
multi-digit multiplication related
to costs associated with a
product
4 of 10
Grammar and
sentence mechanics
Grammar and
are not effective and
Mechanics
do not reflect
(x1)
appropriate use of
language.
Required
Elements and
Design and
Accuracy (x1)
Poster lacking
required elements, a
title, information
appropriate for
purpose and
audience.
There is a no
cohesive organization
to the poster with no
Aesthetics (x1)
attempts at balance
between the design
elements.
Engineering
Design (x1)
Minimal
understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process
There is a somewhat
cohesive organization to the
poster with attempts at
balance between the design
elements. The poster reflects
effective use of space, color,
texture, and shape.
There is a cohesive
organization to the poster
with balance between the
design elements. The
poster reflects very
effective use of space,
color, texture, and shape.
Minimal understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the design
process and the
considerations needed to be
successful
Some understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the design
process and the
considerations needed to be
successful
Strong understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
5 of 10
Sufficiently developed
content with adequate
explanation and
development of ideas. Most
components of the expected
response are present.
Mathematics and
Design (x1)
CONTENT (x2)
Superficial and/or
minimal content
pertaining to the
topic.
FOCUS (x1)
STYLE (x1)
Minimal variety in
word choice and
minimal control of
sentence structures.
ORGANIZATION
(x1)
Minimal control of
content
arrangement.
Confused or inconsistent
arrangement of content
with or without attempts at
transition.
Functional arrangement of
content that sustains a
logical order with some
evidence of transitions.
6 of 10
Aesthetics
(x1)
Language
(x1)
Technology
(x1)
The technology
applications utilized do not
connect the presentation
and topic. The graphics are
unattractive and do not
connect with the topic of
the presentation.
The technology
applications utilized
connect the presentation
and topic. Some graphics
are attractive and connect
with the topic of the
presentation.
The technology
applications utilized
enhance the presentation
and topic. Most graphics
are attractive and support
the topic of the
presentation.
The technology
applications utilized
strongly enhance the
presentation and topic. All
graphics are attractive and
support the topic of the
presentation.
Minimal understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
Some understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
Strong understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
Minimal understanding
Engineering demonstrated of the
Design (x1) characteristics of the
design process
7 of 10
Math &
Science
Connected to
Prototype
(x1)
Measurements and
Geometric connections are
communicated as important
parts of the design process
to create the prototype
Model (x1)
The model is a
minimally accurate with
respect to the plans,
diagrams, and/or
drawings..
Plans (x1)
8 of 10
Technology somewhat
contributes to
understanding. Pictures,
videos and primary
resources minimally
further understanding.
Technology contributes
to understanding.
Pictures, videos and
primary resources are
appropriate and further
understanding.
Technology furthers
understanding. Slides are brief
and interesting. Pictures, video
and primary sources well
integrated into presentation and
greatly enhance understanding.
The presentation
provides information in a
sequence which the
audience can somewhat
follow. Included materials
are minimally appropriate
and the explanation of
the design and the
benefits are not
presented to sufficient
depth.
The presentation
provides information in a
logical sequence which
the audience can follow.
Appropriate choices of
what to include but the
explanation of the design
and the benefits are not
presented to sufficient
depth.
Additional
Materials &
Presentation
Aids (x1)
Voice, Eye
Contact, and
Body
Language (x1)
Difficult to hear,
mistakes in
pronunciation, close to
monotone. Information
mostly read and lacking
body language.
Engineering
Design (x1)
Minimal understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process
Minimal understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
Some understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed
to be successful
Strong understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the design
process and the considerations
needed to be successful
Use of
technology
(x1)
9 of 10
Graphics
(x1)
1
Graphics selected do not
enhance product.
Connections to intended
purpose are not apparent.
Content (x1)
Inaccurate information.
Message unclear.
Originality
(x1)
Layout (x1)
Adequate control of
sentence formation. Some
errors may be present in
grammar, usage, spelling
and punctuation, but few,
if any, of the errors that
are present may interfere
with meaning.
Thorough control of
sentence formation. Few
errors, if any, are present
in grammar, usage,
spelling, and punctuation,
but the errors that are
present do not interfere
with meaning.
Minimal understanding
Engineering demonstrated of the
Design (x1) characteristics of the design
process
Minimal understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the design
process and the
considerations needed to be
successful
Some understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
Strong understanding
demonstrated of the
characteristics of the
design process and the
considerations needed to
be successful
10 of 10