Today marked the final and most exciting day of our Industrial Engineering: Machines at Work course! Students put their learning into action by designing, building, testing, and refining a loading dock subsystem for the Cape Cod potato chip factory. Using everything they’ve learned about simple machines and ergonomics, students began their day by exploring how much force it takes to move a load without any enhancements. This set the stage for our big challenge—designing a subsystem that could make the job easier and more efficient.

Throughout the day, students engaged in each step of the Engineering Design Process (EDP). In teams, they brainstormed and planned innovative ways to reduce the force needed to move the load using a combination of simple machines. After constructing their designs, they headed to our Testing Station to gather data and calculate their Force Scores. Teams were encouraged to think like real industrial engineers, not only improving mechanical performance but also considering ergonomic benefits—how the design helps reduce strain or makes work easier for a human operator.

After testing their original designs, students watched a brief video clip that reinforced the role of industrial engineers before heading back to their stations to make improvements. Using their newly collected data and feedback, each group revised its subsystem to aim for an even better score. These revised designs were tested again, and students proudly shared their results with the class.

To cap off the day, students reflected on their experiences by writing persuasive letters to the President of Cape Cod Potato Chips. In these letters, they explained why their team’s loading dock design should be adopted, using evidence from their testing and thoughtful analysis.

To continue the conversation at home, ask your student:

You might also consider giving them a real-world engineering challenge, like designing a way to carry groceries inside with fewer trips or building a system to move toys from one side of the room to another!

It was a joy to teach your kids this week. Enjoy your summer!