W-02 Creative Space Exploration Project for Engineering Design

Abstract

Engineering Design can be defined as a skill for problem solving in the context and it combines closely with creativity. We have pursued the Space Explorers Project between the US and Japan. The work is composed of some creative education components that relate to Space, Mars, Moons, etc. In this study, we postulated the virtual project for the emigration to the Moon from the Earth. In such a case, we needed an appropriate greenhouse in which various plants could grow. The problem for students to solve was what type of greenhouse should be the best on the Moon. The virtual design training included all cognitive levels of Bloom's taxonomy. As the mentoring teachers, we led students from Bloom's lowest level called knowledge to his highest level called evaluation. We compared the results between the US and Japanese students and discussed the differences from the viewpoint of engineering design skills.