Problem Search Assignment (15 pts)

Objective: The completion of this problem search assignment will help you determine what
problem is worth solving.

Complete all steps, answer all necessary questions, and fill in the table below as a .doc or .pdf
submission on Canvas. You may added as many rows as needed, please do not limit yourself to
the minimum required for this assignment. Please note: additional tasks must also be completed
in Discord to receive full credit.

Step 1: Complete an Activity of Choice

This activity that you choose must be multi-step and may be in your regular or abnormal routine.
Some example activities include: going for a run, grocery run, dog park meet up, trying a new
restaurant, etc. Please describe in a few sentences what activity you chose to do.

Step 2: Journal your Problems

Identify and write at least three problem statements you have encountered in your day-to-day
routine which may include the activity mentioned in Step 1 and list them in the table below with
the Category labeled as “Personal”. They do not need an immediate solution, this is just to help
you start thinking and brainstorming.

Step 3: Research Bigger Challenges

Find at least 3 articles and/or videos from any site of your choice which outline bigger scale
challenges that may be solved using engineering. Paste the link(s) here. Frame these three
problems into statements and add them to your table with the Category labeled as “Grand”.

[Link]

[Link]
[Link]

ttps://[Link]/drdo/sites/default/files/inline-files/Write_up_water_bottle.pdf

Step 4: Problem Engagement (separately graded, for instructors refer to follow up

Copy and paste one statement of your choice (from either category) into Discord under the
#problems text channel which you think might be a good problem that may require an
engineering solution.
Problem # (Title) Category (Personal, Grand) Statement
Problem #1 Self- Personal During landscaping tasks at
Propelling Wheelbarrow work, using a standard
wheelbarrow can be physically
exhausting, especially when
transporting heavy loads over
uneven terrain. A design that
integrates a passive or motor-
assisted propulsion system (e.g.,
mechanical crank, electric assist,
or flywheel-based push
accelerator) could reduce strain
and improve efficiency for
workers.
Problem #2: Slippery Personal During long runs, especially
Water Bottle Grip During when my palms sweat, I find it
Runs difficult to maintain grip on the
plastic water bottle. This often
forces me to stop running to re-
adjust or pick up the bottle,
interrupting pace and causing
annoyance.
Problem #3: Adaptive Grand Fixed solar panels often operate
Solar Panel Orientation below their peak efficiency due
System to suboptimal angles with respect
to the sun throughout the day.
Implementing affordable solar
tracking systems that
dynamically adjust orientation
based on real-time solar flux can
significantly increase energy
capture, especially in off-grid or
remote installations.