Workshop Introducing Engineering Design with K´Nex® Based Project Kits

Mercer University´s School of Engineering has been using K´Nexreg based design kits in its Introduction to Engineering Design Course for several years. These kits have been used to build vehicles that participate in a variety of competition venues including amphibious, boat, cable car, dragster, off road, and ramped. These competitions have been run in timed race, tug-of-war, and head-on collision formats. This course is not just a brainstorming or build and test experience but also introduces the concept of an engineering design process including the selection of a ´best´ design based on technical considerations and prediction of design performance. Students present their design experience and decisions through two design reviews which include a document and presentation. This workshop will consist of a mini-design experience. Participants will work in small groups. The design experience will include brainstorming, technical calculations, design selection, design construction, testing, and presentations. The design experience will conclude with a competition