Students will investigate how inputs, processes, and outputs interact within engineering systems and determine what makes a system effective. Teams will analyze a real-world global challenge, break it into manageable problems, and establish measurable criteria, constraints, and tradeoffs that reflect community needs. They will design and refine a solution, use a computer simulation to test interactions within and between systems, and communicate evidence-based decisions through collaboration, presentation, feedback, and reflection.
Learning goals
Students will explain how inputs, processes, and outputs interact within an engineering system and identify what makes that system effective. They will analyze a real-world challenge, define measurable criteria and constraints, and break the system into manageable problems. Teams will use a computer simulation to test solutions, evaluate system interactions, and refine designs using evidence and tradeoff analysis. Students will collaborate through shared decisions and roles, communicate their findings with empathy, and use peer feedback and reflection to guide next steps.
Standards
[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-ETS1-2 - Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-ETS1-4 - Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.
[Next Generation Science Standards] 9-12.AF.6.5 - Design, evaluate, and/or refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.
[Next Generation Science Standards] HS-ETS1-1 - Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
Competencies
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Products
Teams will create an input-process-output system map for a community problem and define measurable criteria, constraints, and smaller engineering subproblems. They will build and revise a computer simulation to test how changing inputs or processes affects outputs, documenting evidence and tradeoffs. As a final product, teams will present a proposed system solution through a concise design brief, simulation demonstration, and annotated model explaining how effectively the system produces the desired outputs. Each student will submit a reflection describing their contributions, feedback used, and next steps for improving the system.
Launch
Begin with a “black box” challenge in which teams adjust inputs in a simple computer simulation of a traffic-control system, observe outputs such as wait time and congestion, and infer the hidden process. Teams map the system’s inputs, processes, and outputs, then compare how one change creates tradeoffs for drivers, pedestrians, safety, and emissions. Introduce the real-world challenge of improving the system, and have students identify measurable criteria, constraints, and smaller problems to investigate. Close with teams discussing: “How do input, process, and output work together in an engineering system?” and “What makes an engineering system effective at turning inputs into desired outputs?”
Exhibition
Host an Engineering Systems Expo where teams demonstrate a model or computer simulation addressing a real-world challenge for classmates, teachers, and community guests. Each team presents an input-process-output diagram, explains how it broke the challenge into manageable problems, and shows how criteria, constraints, evidence, and tradeoffs shaped its solution. Visitors test or observe the system and provide feedback on how effectively it turns inputs into desired outputs. Teams conclude with a brief reflection answering both essential questions and identifying one improvement based on audience feedback.
