I, along with 3 of my friends, participated in the 2021 Ryerson Design League, winning first place. The design competition presented numerous challenge cases, of which we chose to tackle one centered around providing a mass-produced affordable science kit for high schoolers.
Challenge Objective
You are tasked with creating a kit that can help address the hands-on learning of a STEM topic in grades 9-12 in the Ontario curriculum.
The kit must include:
A manual briefly explaining the theoretical principle being tested
Ahands-on craftable kit
Any necessary safety equipment.
Financial Consideration
Consider a class size of approximately 30 students, and each student/family is to contribute 10$ per laboratory kit
Manufacturing Consideration
Consider common manufacturing practices, and what limitations these processes have, in addition to the special considerations for postage, and young students.
RISK Consideration
What are your failure points, and how are they minimized?
Is there a reasonable risk of human harm, and how is this minimized?
Does the kit contain small or toxic parts?
Market Research
First, some research as to existing kits (such as those offered by Kiwico, CuriosityBox, etc) was conducted. Then based on this came to a consensus on the theme of study we'd be taking. Our focus was based on the transformations of energy and its conservation.
Concept IDEATION
Brainstormed many ideas, eventually leading to car-based design. After some rough sketches, a materials breakdown was constructed first. This was because the cost for each part was the major constraint for our design.
cost breakdowN
Total cost per kit: $6.13
