Recognizing, evaluating, and utilizing working criteria is an imperative part of the UC Merced and Engineering design process. Working Criteria are the hard constraints used to determine the physical attributes of the project. Hard constraints include any details demanded by the client that the team is unable to modify. Since these details are not debatable, many decisions of the project such as the goals and decision reasoning are based on these working criteria.
Engineering Service-Learning is focused on designing an interactive exhibition for Fresno Discovery center meant for school aged children to learn more about the topic of Permafrost. Team 1 specifically focuses on how the thawing of permafrost releases toxic gases into the atmosphere. A temperature gauge would represent the temperature of the melting permafrost. As the temperature of the "permafrost" or floor begins to increase and melt, the "carbon dioxide" begins to release. At this time, carbon dioxide will be represented as bubbles, and a reasonable amount of air will blast cutouts of C02 and Methane to demonstrate which gases are released.
In relation to criteria, Fresno Discovery provided a list of requirements: strict dimensions, durable and maintainable equipment, flexible setting for indoor and outdoor convenience, and a fitted museum exhibit brand standard. With these working criteria, Team 1 made sure our project design was light and transportable to fit various settings; this limited the amount and weight of equipment used. Team 1 also chose plastic material to maintain the durability and cleanliness of the exhibit. Details such as fonts and looks of the exhibit were designed to fit the color scheme and brand aesthetic of Fresno Discovery. All these factors were noted and evaluated in Phase 2 of the Design Process: Concept Design.
As a result of the working criteria, Team 1 and Fresno Discovery hope that it promotes the effectiveness towards their clients and overall goal of the project, of Permafrost awareness in the Fresno Community. Following the criteria reassures the cooperation and understanding of goals between EngSL engineers and the client Fresno Discovery Center.
