PLTW Engineering & Design Process Vocabulary

The study of our natural world through observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanations.

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering

• Math

The way people use resources to meet their wants and needs.

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering

• Math

Using technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering

• Math

The science of patterns and order and the study of measurement, properties, and the relationships of quantities using numbers and symbols.

• Science

• Technology

• Engineering

• Math

A human-made object.

• Artifact

• Innovation

• Environment

An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something.

• innovation

• design elements

• constraints

A limit to the design process. Constraints may be such things as appearance, funding, space, materials, and human capabilities.

• innovation

• design elements

• constraints

The factors (e.g., line, color, light, shadow, space, texture) that define a product and take into account the aesthetics and function of the product.

• innovation

• design elements

• constraints

A person who designs any of a variety of things.

• consumer

• engineer

• designer

A person or household that purchases goods or services.

• consumer

• engineer

• designer