Requirement 1 of 9

Investigate a Manufactured Item

Pick a manufactured item from home, learn how and why it works, and discuss the engineering involved in creating it.

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Checklist

Home item engineering investigation

Choose a household item, study how it works, and be ready to explain the engineering activities that helped create it.

Good item ideas

  • Small appliance, fan, vacuum, toy, flashlight, blender, remote control, or garage tool.
  • Choose something you can safely observe under adult supervision and with counselor approval.

What to find out

  • What the item is designed to do.
  • How its main parts work together.
  • Why it was built that way instead of another way.
  • What kinds of engineers may have worked on it, such as mechanical, electrical, materials, or manufacturing engineers.

How to gather information

  • Look for labels, manuals, product pages, repair guides, or diagrams.
  • Observe the item carefully and ask an adult to help if any parts need to be opened or inspected.
  • Be ready to explain both what you learned and how you found the information.
  • How to Fix Small Appliances

Home item engineering investigation locked

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