Engineering Notebooks in

Technology Education

David Shabram
Anna Sumner
ITEA Conference
Salt Lake City
2008
 The Big Picture - Background

Was Module Delivery Currently in year two 950-1000 Students

of a three year
Kept some curriculum Nine weeks Program
Equipment reused phase-in program
REALIZING EXCELLENCE
Grades 7&8
 Program is Based on
STL - State - District Exit Outcomes
• 7th grade students will
– Build their foundation for technological literacy
– Learn about core concepts of technology
– Learn about Invention & Innovation
– Learn & practice precise measuring techniques
– Learn & demonstrate safe and proper use of tools and equipment
– Discover different properties of materials
– Create solutions to problems in a team setting

• 8th grade students will

–Build on the concepts learned in 7th grade Engineering & Technology
–Learn about the types of technology
–Learn about the impacts of technology
–Learn about electronics/nanotechnology/robotics
–Explore the career fields in the area of Engineering & Technology
–Create solutions to problems in a team setting
 Accomplished By . . .
• Students creatively solve problems using a Design Brief. They apply the
Engineering Design Process in solving these problems.

• Students are involved in large group lectures, discussions, and lab

activities. Work is accomplished individually, with partners, and finally
evolve into design teams.

• An Engineering Notebook is used in class to record class progress, ideas,

notes, sketches, questions, and thoughts. It has all the information
needed to be successful in class.

• The Engineering Notebooks are kept in the classroom. If a student needs

to take it home, either to study or get caught up on missed work, they
check it out by giving us their name badge.
 E. Ntbk Design and Use
Please follow along in the
Engineering Books Provided

• Inside Front Cover

– Class Rules and Procedures
• Inside Back Cover
– Employability Skills
– Record of student behaviors and accidents
• Graphic Organizers
– Guide for taking notes/learning strategy
• Blank Graphing Pages and Appendix
• Working Document - edit it every nine weeks
Purpose of this notebook?
This Engineering Notebook will be used to record your progress, ideas, notes, sketches questions, and 
thoughts.  It will have all the information you need to be successful in class. It will be kept in the 
classroom.  If you need to take it home, you will need to check it out by giving a teacher your Name 
Badge. 

Why an Engineering Notebook?
Engineers use an Engineering Notebook to record ideas, inventions, experimentation records, 
observations and all work details. Careful attention to how they keep their Engineering Notebook can 
have a positive impact on the patent outcome of a pending discovery, invention or innovation.

Engineering Notebooks are a vital record of your work whether it is for patent purposes, or legal records. 
 Of course, it does not hurt to have your records to look back into when communication reports are due! 

How do I keep an Engineering Notebook?
1. Write NEATLY ­ anyone should be able to read it.  
2. Write down EVERYTHING AS IT HAPPENS. 
•  If it is not documented, it did not happen
•  If you write it the next day, it did not happen. 
3. Use BOTH sides of a page.

4 .Date each entry in chronological order. 
5. Clearly separate each day’s entry by drawing a line under the entry.
6. Entries should include enough information so someone else could successfully 
duplicate your work.
•  Label figures and sketches.  
•  Use complete sentences.

7. Draw a single line through any errors and enter the correct information nearby. 
8. Never leave blank spaces ­ simply “X” out any blank spots.
9. Never, under any circumstances, remove pages from your notebook.  
10. If you add pages, tape or glue it onto a page in your notebook. Clearly label and date 
it.
 Design Brief
Design Process Practice

Tools
Criteria
Materials
Constraints
Equipment

There is always more 
than  ____ solution 
one
 Look at the
Which step do you Situation/Challenge
Identify the
need to go back to - it’s Need/Problem
a continual loop
Look for information
Redesign or Restate the Research the based on the need
Improve problem in Need/Problem or problem
your own
words. Books
Could it be
Internet
better?
Looks like a Databases Solutions are based
How?
presentation Experiences on the Criteria &

There is always more  
Constraints
Communicate Develop
the Solution
   than               
ONE Possible Solutions

Use your solution to a problem. Use research

creativity to & creativity
tell your to sketch &
solution  Process is Ongoing describe
several ideas
Test and NEVER ENDS Select the
Evaluate Best Solution

Best solves It’s O.K. to combine ideas!

Does it solve Construct the
the problem Prototype/Model the problem
& work? and meets
the criteria &
Look back at constraints
Prototype
Situation/Challenge &
Criteria/Constraints Model
Do your best work with the Tools,
Materials, Equipment you have
Measuring Student Learning
• Based on the application of the knowledge taught in
class.
• Use rubrics - evidence in Engineering Notebooks.
• A four-point scale
– 4 - Proficient in understanding the content
– 3 - Developing an understanding of the content
– 2 - Beginning to understand the content
– 1 - Aware of the content
• Some assignments are an opportunity to learn and
practice the content. “X” are recorded in Power
School to show that this formative work has been
completed or corrected.
Measuring Student Learning
• Formative
– Large group lecture - PowerPoints - Elmo
– Practice - skill building
– Design Briefs

• Summative
– Design Briefs
– Tests
 Check Us Out At . . .
• E&T Webpage
– http://www2.westside66.org/~dshabram
– Click on the Salt Lake City 2008 link to view
and/or download our Engineering Notebooks, etc.
• Phase three focused on the digital learner
– Demonstrations that are QUICKTIME files
– Lecture/PowerPoints on viewable files
– Extending Learning Opportunities
– Promote High School E&T classes
 Questions

Thank you
Anna Sumner & David Shabram
Westside Middle School
Omaha, Nebraska