STEM Fields and Engineering Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Electronics Engineering?

Integrating technology with sciences to create electronic systems (correct)

Researching public health and sanitation methods

Optimizing factory schedules and employee plans

Designing mechanical devices and engines

Which engineering discipline specifically deals with the production of hydrocarbons?

Industrial Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Sanitary Engineering

Petroleum Engineering (correct)

Which aspect does Industrial Engineering predominantly focus on?

The improvement of sanitation in communities

Efficient planning for business operations and schedules (correct)

Designing and testing mechanical devices

The physical components of a computer system

What do Computer Engineers primarily work on?

Hardware chips, circuit boards, and keyboards Signup and view all the answers

What does Mechatronics Engineering incorporate?

A combination of mechanical, electrical, and control systems Signup and view all the answers

Sanitary Engineering is mainly concerned with:

Engineering methods to improve human sanitation Signup and view all the answers

Mechanical Engineering primarily involves the development of:

Tools, machines, and engines Signup and view all the answers

Which engineering field encompasses both hardware and software aspects?

Mechatronics Engineering Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of engineering as defined in the provided content?

To develop economical solutions to technical problems Signup and view all the answers

In what way does engineering differ from science according to the provided content?

Science focuses on the natural world, engineering focuses on technology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the roles in STEM is accurate?

Mathematicians use symbols to solve problems in various fields Signup and view all the answers

According to the definition provided by ABET, what is one essential element of engineering?

An understanding of mathematical and natural sciences Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the relationship between science and engineering?

Engineering is just a branch of science Signup and view all the answers

Which activity best exemplifies the work of an engineer?

Designing a new transportation system Signup and view all the answers

What overarching goal do engineers strive to achieve through their work?

To provide solutions that meet societal and consumer needs Signup and view all the answers

What is one way in which technologists contribute to the engineering process?

They apply scientific and mathematical principles to designs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of instrumentation and control engineering?

Measurement and control of process variables Signup and view all the answers

Which engineering discipline is primarily concerned with the cost-effective production of food products?

Food engineering Signup and view all the answers

Which function in engineering involves transforming concepts into production processes?

Development Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of a food engineer?

Combining microbiology with engineering Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fields combines computer science and electrical engineering?

Computer engineering Signup and view all the answers

In which engineering function is the assessment of resource usage a primary concern?

Management Signup and view all the answers

What does the research function in engineering primarily involve?

Exploring and discovering new principles Signup and view all the answers

Which area is NOT listed among other engineering disciplines?

Fashion engineering Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary purposes of brainstorming in design teams?

To generate ideas for solving design problems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight house rules for effective brainstorming?

Critique ideas as they are shared Signup and view all the answers

How should participants build on others' ideas during brainstorming?

By saying 'and' to expand on those ideas Signup and view all the answers

What method involves participants writing ideas down on cards before sharing them?

Brainwriting Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes brainwalking from traditional brainstorming?

It includes physical movement around a space Signup and view all the answers

In the brainstorming process, why is it important to stay visual?

They help bring ideas to life for others Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of bodystorming as an ideation technique?

Acting out scenarios to visualize ideas Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the goal of gamestorming?

To foster creativity through games Signup and view all the answers

What approach should be taken to ask questions during an interview?

Ask questions neutrally to avoid bias. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid binary questions in an interview?

They can be overly simplistic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of allowing silence during an interview?

To allow the interviewee to reflect and elaborate. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with data points collected during interviews?

Identify each data point and use it for analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What does synthesizing findings in the DEFINE stage involve?

Deriving top insights and discoveries from the data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of defining a problem statement?

Stating the problem in a human-centered manner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a needs statement in a project?

To identify community needs and gaps. Signup and view all the answers

How should interviews ideally be conducted to ensure effective data capture?

Conduct interviews in a team or use a recording device. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

STEM Fields

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
STEM fields work together to solve problems based on societal needs.
Scientists investigate the natural world.
Technologists apply scientific principles for designing and building.
Mathematicians use numbers and symbols to solve problems.
Engineers create the designed world.
All STEM fields are necessary to create a product.

Engineering

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) defines engineering as:
- "the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind."
Engineering uses scientific, technological, and mathematical knowledge to solve practical problems.
Engineering is a profession that aspires to high standards of conduct and recognizes its responsibility to the public.

Neil Armstrong's perspective on Science vs. Engineering

Neil Armstrong distinguishes science as a quest for "truth for its own sake" and an understanding of the natural world. It explains natural phenomena like viscosity change in liquids, heat release during condensation, and plant reproduction.
Engineering takes these scientific explanations and understandings to create new or improved machines, technologies, and processes. It brings ideas to reality and provides solutions to societal needs.

Engineering Disciplines

Electronics Engineering focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining electronic systems, devices, goods, services, and processes.
Mechanical Engineering involves research, development, design, manufacturing, and testing of tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices.
Industrial Engineering concentrates on the entrepreneurial and business aspects of engineering projects, aiming for efficiency in employee schedules, factory schedules, and other factors.
Computer Engineering encompasses developing both the programming and physical components of a computer system. This field includes computer hardware engineering, computer software engineering, and computer science.
Sanitary Engineering focuses on improving sanitation in human communities, primarily by providing safe water and waste disposal systems.
Petroleum Engineering involves activities related to the exploration and production of hydrocarbons (crude oil and natural gas).
Mechatronics Engineering combines electrical and mechanical systems, integrating robotics, electronics, computer, telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering.
Instrumentation and Control Engineering (ICE) focuses on measuring and controlling process variables, and designing and implementing systems that incorporate them.
Food Engineering uses microbiology, applied physical sciences, chemistry, and engineering for food and related industries.

Other Engineering Disciplines

Aerospace engineering
Automotive engineering
Ceramics engineering
Environmental engineering
Materials engineering
Manufacturing engineering
Mining engineering
Nuclear engineering
Transportation engineering

Engineering Functions

Research involves exploring, discovering, and applying new principles.
Development transforms ideas or concepts into production processes.
Design connects the generation of ideas with production.
Production and Testing manufactures and assembles components or products.
Sales markets engineering products.
Operations maintains equipment and facilities.
Construction organises bids prior to construction and supervises certain components during construction.
Management optimizes the use of resources (equipment, labor, finances)
Education teaches engineering principles in university and industrial settings.
Consulting provides specialized engineering services to clients.

Computer Engineering

Computer engineering focuses on designing, constructing, implementing, and maintaining software and hardware components of computer systems and computer-controlled equipment.
It combines elements of computer science and electrical engineering.

Design Thinking (Define Stage)

DEFINE stage in design thinking aims to define the core problems identified during the Empathize stage.
It involves analyzing and synthesizing observations to formulate human-centered problem statements.

Tools used in the Define stage

Transcribing involves identifying data points from interviews and noting them on separate post-it notes.
Sharing encourages discussion of the significance of interview data.
Synthesizing involves identifying the top discoveries, findings, or insights from the project/user research.
Clustering supports discoveries/findings with relevant data points, reducing assumptions.
Generating uses insights to determine user needs related to the project area.

Insights

Insights represent a deep understanding of the target user in the context of the project scope.

Needs Statement

A needs statement identifies the gap or problem within a specific community and establishes the rationale for a project.
It clarifies the project's focus and addresses the specific needs of the target audience.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a method used to generate ideas for solving clearly defined design problems.
Teams brainstorm in a controlled environment, often using "How Might We" questions to generate a wide range of ideas.
Brainstorming encourages a free-thinking environment and discourages judgment or criticism.

Eight House Rules of Brainstorming

Set a time limit: 15-60 minutes depending on complexity.
Begin with a defined problem/brief: Stay focused on the target problem.
Refrain from judgment/criticism: Avoid negativity towards any ideas.
Encourage weird and wacky ideas: Embrace unusual ideas.
Aim for quantity: Generate as many ideas as possible.
Build on others' ideas: Expand on existing ideas.
Stay visual: Use diagrams and Post-Its for visual representation.
Allow one conversation at a time: Focus on one idea at a time to maintain focus.

Brainwriting

Brainwriting is an ideation method where participants analyze the problem statement, generate ideas individually, and write them down on cards.
Participants pass these cards to others who build upon the previous ideas.

Brainwalking

Brainwalking is a collaborative ideation technique where participants generate ideas by moving around in a designated space.
It encourages observation of visual stimuli and idea sharing.

Other ideation techniques

Bodystorming: Act out scenarios to visualize ideas.
Brainwriting: Write ideas down silently before sharing.
Gamestorming: Use games to encourage idea generation.

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Description

Explore the essential components of STEM fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Understand how each discipline contributes to problem-solving for societal needs, and discover the definition of engineering as outlined by ABET. Dive into the collaborative nature of these fields and their impact on product development.