Eldrid Sequeira - 3D Printing and Maker Lab for Kids: Create Amazing Projects with CAD Design and STEAM Ideas

35 CHALLENGES TO DESIGN THE FUTURE AS YOU JOURNEY TO CITY X

WITHOUT LIMITS, WHAT CAN KIDS CREATE?

BRETT SCHILKE

FIVE YEARS AGO , a band of brave and adventurous humans left our planet on a journey to settle a new planet deep in space. With the population of Earth expanding fast and the growing need to preserve our precious natural resources, humanity embarked on a mission to become an interplanetary species.

Like the explorers in the early days of modern civilization on Earth, these humans could not take with them all of the things they would need on the new planet. Instead, they brought toolslike 3D printers, robotic implements, and advanced computing systemsand the knowledge to build what theyd need when they arrived.

The settlers have what they need to build their new city, but now they need creative ideas to help make their new home the best place for the future of humanity.

*** OPEN TRANSMISSION ***

FROM: MAYOR OF CITY X

Dear Citizens of Earth,

We have arrived at our new home world and have set about creating our first settlement, City X. The journey to City X was a historic onea journey across the galaxy, a journey that made humans an interplanetary species.

Now that we are getting more comfortable here in City X, our people are excited to create a future that works for everyone. We have begun building some of the things we need, but we have many challenges to solve. These challenges are a lot like the problems we faced on Earth, but here in City X we have the opportunity for a fresh start, to design our world in the best way possible from the very beginning.

We are turning to you, the citizens of Earth, for help. I have just made a proclamation to create a new agency in City Xthe Irresistible Futures Agencymade up of young people from around the planet who will be responsible for designing the future of humanity here in City X.

We have the materials we need to produce new things, and we have technology like 3D printers and powerful computing systems. But we need you. We need your visions, your ideas, your creativity, and your solutions to the problems we face.

Youll find everything you need included in this transmission. You will meet citizens from City X who are experiencing seven different problems, and we will provide you with all the tools and knowledge you need to understand our challenges and become unstoppable engineers. I will be with you throughout your journey to lend a hand when you need it.

The future of City Xand the future of humanityis in your hands.

*** END TRANSMISSION ***

ENGINEER BRIEFING

FOR: EARTH-BASED ENGINEERS FOR CITY X

WHO

The Irresistible Futures Agency is made up of a vast team of young engineers from Earth with a mission to create a future that works for everyone in City X.

WHAT

Engineers are problem solvers. Sometimes we think of engineers as people who only design machines or airplanes, but they work in all sorts of jobs: in factories, technology companies, schools, governments, and more. The best way to think about an engineer is as a designer of solutions, helping create a future that works for everyone.

As an Irresistible Futures engineer, you will learn about the challenges faced in City X, become a master of design, and bring about a bright future for humanity. This Engineer Briefing will teach you the methods and tools that we use as Irresistible Futures agents.

HOW

This book contains all the information and knowledge you need to design the future of City X. Each chapter is dedicated to one of seven challenges being faced by the citizens. Study this engineer briefing to understand the information and tasks you are about to encounter.

WHAT DOES IRRESISTIBLE MEAN?

If something is irresistible, it means its impossible to say no to. It is so good, so exciting, and so positive that almost everyone will like it. So an irresistible future is a future that we cant wait to be a part of.

HOW DO WE DESIGN AN IRRESISTIBLE FUTURE?

IN EACH CHAPTER you will find knowledge and activities to help you understand the challenges faced in City X and design solutions for an irresistible future. You will design seven solutions, one for each challenge.

CHALLENGE BASICS

Read these pages carefully to learn simple background information about each type of challenge being faced in City X. You will learn about three elements of each challenge that the citizens of City X are asking engineers to solve.

USER RESEARCH

User research is what engineers do to understand the people who will be using the things they design. User research takes many forms. In each challenge you will learn a new way to put yourself in the shoes of other people and learn the perspectives of five citizens of City X. You will choose one of these citizens to design a solution for.

CASE STUDIES

A case study is a story you can learn from. Usually a case study is about a person, idea, company, or big question, and tells us an important lesson, a unique way of thinking, a science fact we might not know, or how a new tool can be used. You will find seven case studies in this book, one for each challenge in City X. Read the case studies carefully and try to use what you learn as you design solutions for the future of City X.

DESIGN PROCESS ACTIVITIES

Engineers use a special type of problem solving called the design process. The design process has five steps:

EXPLORE

SYNTHESIZE

IMAGINE

CREATE

SHARE

In each chapter you will find five activitiesone for each stage of the design process. The activities will help you understand the challenge and design a solution for the future.

On the next pages you will learn more about each stage of the design process. With each stage you complete, you will come one step closer to being an official Irresistible Futures agent.