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Advice for teachers -
Systems Engineering

Unit 1: Mechanical systems – Area of Study 2: Producing and evaluating mechanical systems

Outcome 2

 

Produce, test, diagnose and evaluate a mechanical system using the systems engineering process.

Examples of learning activities

  • Create an instructional video of the computer-aided design (CAD) or computer aided-manufacturing (CAM) process for 3D printing for use by your school.
  • Design, print and display posters that effectively illustrate the safe and appropriate use of workshop equipment, including risk reduction and management. Teacher allocates students the different workshop equipment to be researched.
  • Design, produce, test and evaluate a target system for football-kicking accuracy.
  • Discuss, as a class, why testing is important to the systems engineering process. Design and carry out a testing procedure. Teacher then demonstrates how to prepare a report that explains the probable reasons for a performance problem, failure or breakage in a mechanical system. Watch the ABC Education video clip entitled ‘Repeatability’ before discussing the importance of conducting tests several times to replicate results.
    • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Design and conduct a test related to a systems engineering project. Gather both quantitative and qualitative data and complete a test report using a template (docx - 65.69kb).
  • Design and build a demonstration rig that contrasts hydraulic with pneumatic mechanisms.
  • Explore the use of hydraulic systems to harness energy from ocean waves as a newer type of technology for generating electricity by watching the ABC Education clip entitled ‘Capturing the power of the sea’.
  • Annotate a production plan with actual times taken for each step and discuss reasons for any differences, including additional stages, deletions and modifications.
  • Discuss how both qualitative and quantitative data play an important role in Systems Engineering. Discuss how both types of data can help to provide a complete picture of the effectiveness of the engineered solution developed.
  • Using a slide presentation application such as Google Slides or PowerPoint, produce an electronic evaluation report that applies the systems engineering process and links to evidence that was used to re-evaluate and modify the system and/or the production processes.
Example icon for advice for teachers 

Detailed example

Writing a test report

Ask students to design and conduct tests relevant to their projects such as:

  • verifying function and performance of components
  • checking correct operation and reliable feedback of sub-systems
  • confirming effective integration of a system.

Remind students that data collected can be:

  • quantitative, showing results using correct units and formulas and/or
  • qualitative, describing user experience.

Ask students to record results and write a test report that includes the following headings:

  • purpose of the test
  • theoretical and conceptual background, including expected results
  • procedure, including equipment required and safety measures
  • discussion that compares the actual results with the expected results.

If the results deviate from what was expected, ask students to account for discrepancies and redesign the test so that new data may be collected.

Test report template (docx - 65.69kb)
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