Abstract:

The broader context of our paper is to improve problem solving outcomes in K-12 and STEAM student activities through the use of our systems mindset concept. This concept utilizes the product development life cycle (PDLC) as a framework which when combined with other systems thinking skills from industry, provides a holistic, effective approach to problem definition and solution exploration.

In this paper our focus was to improve the competition outcome of the Stewarts Creek Middle School Best Robot team in Smyrna Tennessee. The team did well in 4 of the 5 scoring areas, but consistently (over 3-4 years) scored low in the quality of their engineering notebook (EN). The EN is the highest weighted scoring area and improving this area would impact their overall competition outcome. They requested our perspective to help them craft a better Engineering Notebook.

Per observations over a few years, we realized that this team, and other teams were using the EN as a “rear” view mirror recording what had been done, and not as a forward leaning document to help in the aid of the product development process. Critically missing was a documented engineering development process that the team followed and used. Further observed ,were difficulties in keeping track of versions of software and parts between weekly competitions and unanticipated failures and difficulties in getting the different design team components to work together as a single robot system. These issues caused significant problems during competitive activities that negatively impacted team performance.

We choose to approach exposing the systems mindset to them by using a lesson learned approach taken from our commercial systems engineering practices. At meetings with the team, we brainstormed their perceived issues with the EN and their overall development hindrances observed. We provided some PDLC information and a strawman PDLC for them to make their own. They grappled with many system development issues, and we were able to provide them with ideas that they adapted to address component configuration management and integration of components from the different design teams.

Results from this activity encouraged the team to change their processes, enabling them to track component versions and to integrate their robot more effectively. The submitted EN improved enough for them to score much better than previous competition. Overall, the team placed first in both regionals and final robotic events. As you suspect, systems engineering skills and that of the engineering design process, was sort of an “alien” concept to Middle School students. Our objective and the focus of this paper is to introduce these concepts to such a diverse and young student population as a new tool for problem solving.

Keywords:

Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC), STEAM, Engineering Notebook (EN), system(s).