First-year engineering bicycle dissection as an introduction to sustainable design

Introductory design in a common first year engineering programme requires a balance between prescribed demonstration and open ended design. As a method of motivating and engaging students, McMaster’s first year design and graphics course has had success running a product dissection project; referred to as the Cornerstone Project. The Cornerstone project’s goal is to create a base for an engineer’s design education and technical communications. While the course domain is traditionally considered mechanical in nature, the concepts apply across all engineering disciplines. With greater public concern about the environment and sustainability, the Cornerstone project will introduce these considerations in design. The summer offering of the Engineering Design and Graphics course will run a pilot course to examine the dissection, modelling, and sustainability of a commuter bicycle. This paper will describe the project, discuss its results, and present examples of student submissions.