One of the things I've observed in students is the challenge of moving a design idea to a physical prototype build. This generation is great at doing incredible things in the digital world. They are challenged to create something physical at a predetermined size, that is also appropriate for a given application. Creating various open-ended projects like nested box building invokes an Entrepreneurial Mindset (or Skillset).  This is valuable to an engineer being able to translate ideas they have from their brain space to the physical workspace. Observing materials and material interaction is fundamental to project design as well as creating a connection in the student's mind as to its importance. Requiring specific communication with another human to accomplish the task makes this even more challenging. The final success/failure analysis and determining "Where do we go from here?" is an important wrap-up to this project. 

Introducing the 3C’s for this project can look like this.

CURIOSITY: Over the next 5 minutes, brainstorm on the whiteboard as many packaging boxes that hold content and also require a lid. 

CONNECTION: Have the students find a partner and introduce themselves. Have them write down three questions they believe will be important to clarify before starting any box-building.

CREATING VALUE: Have each team create a hypothetical “product” they’ve been asked to package. What is the name of the product?

PROJECT "HOW TO":

This project provides an opportunity for the students to work in pairs. It requires shared planning and designing as well as individual work in order to design two nesting boxes. The pair will be expected to complete a physical prototype and test for successful nesting. If time allows they should attempt a version 2.0 in order to repair or refine their process. 

• Have everyone find a partner.  

• Once the teams are created describe what a nesting box is. Consider showing some real examples from various board games or container-style boxes. Think about a box with a lid.

• Their first requirement is to work together to sketch and create the design specifications for 2 boxes that would snugly fit one inside the other. They have complete freedom to create their boxes to whatever sizes they would like. They can also choose either be a container-style setup or an open box with a nesting lid. I would recommend the boxes be in the 2-5" range for each dimension. 

• From the design specifications, the pair will split and work individually in order to build their component (either the container or the inside box or lid)

• Carefully measuring, cutting, and gluing each team member will need to complete their own builds. 

• Upon completion, they need to come back together and test to see if their boxes are successful in nesting. 

CREATING VALUE: Practice iteration. Once the students have attempted their first box building. Pause. Have them research the word “iteration” and then create a sentence using the word “iteration” in regard to their first box-building attempt. 

• What if they don't work? What needs to change? 

• Ask them to discuss if it was a design failure or perhaps a building failure.

• Make adjustments and try again. 

• Does the second set work any better?

• Photograph both build sets and discuss what was found and what was changed for the second build.

• Submit the following in a well-formatted document:

• Team name and individual partner names 

• Product Name

• An executive summary to describe the main findings and observations made during this project. Any questions asked should be addressed in this section.

• All photos of builds accomplished, labeled v1.0 and v2.0