What is design? Design is the process of creating something new to perform a specific function. In this program, students will be given a specific mechanical design problem and asked to create a machine that solves it. To effectively channel creativity, professional design engineers impose a structure on the design process. The process used by many engineers is presented here for teachers and students to use in designing their solar vehicles.

For more information on each process step, select the process box below.

The process presented here may be used at any and all levels of model car design, from the design of individual components to the complete car as a system. The key principle in the process is to start all designs with many ideas, then investigate and evaluate several of them before locking into a design.

Part of the challenge in design is learning to combine good ideas from several people into a winning design. Students should be encouraged or required to use a notebook to record their ideas and sketches. Ideas not written down or sketched are quickly forgotten. In addition to providing a means to store and communicate ideas, putting thoughts down on paper often aids in idea generation and clarity.