Module 3 Innovation and Creativity Module Summary In

Module 3 Innovation and Creativity

Module Summary In this module, you will learn about creativity and innovation within engineering. You will look at how an invention develops from a first idea to a finished product, and how engineers have to use their creativity in different roles. You will also be introduced to Product Lifecycle Management (or PLM) software. Session Length: Learning Objectives Resources: • Appreciate the role of creativity within engineering • SIP Portfolio • Develop an awareness of Product Lifecycle Management software • Develop the essential skill of Creativity 1 hour • Pens/Pencils

"Lovely to meet you! I'm Ava. I am in my last year of my Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at Siemens. I decided to join the apprenticeship instead of going to university and I haven't looked back since! Lots of people think that you don't need to be creative to be an engineer, but this couldn't be more wrong! Creativity, alongside problem solving, is vital for engineering a new invention. Today, I am going to show you the process that an invention goes through, from the first idea to the final product. I will also introduce you to Product Lifecycle Management software; the software used by the team of engineers during this process. During this module, I want you to consider how important creativity is in engineering and have a go at generating your own innovative solutions. See you later! "

Skills Builder Partnership

In this module we will be focusing on building the essential skill - Creativity. The Skills Builder Universal Framework defines Creativity as: The use of imagination and the generation of new ideas. Building this skill includes. . • Imagining different situations • Generating ideas to improve something • Developing ideas using a range of strategies Take a look at the Skills Builder Passport in the back of your Portfolio and review the 10 steps to build your creativity skills. When have you used this skill before? Want to build this skill? Have a look at the Skills Builder Universal framework.

Warm Up Task When you think about what you would use a brick for, you might say to build a wall or a house. . . but a brick could also be used as a door stop or even a nut-cracker! In the next three minutes, use the space in your Portfolio to write down as many alternative uses for a brick that you can imagine. Ready, set, go, go!

Project Task 1: Factory Tour

"Hi again! So, to start off, I would like you to do a tour of our 'Designing the Future' factory. This will give you an insight into the overall process of creating an invention and the varied engineering roles involved. During this tour, I would like you to use your Portfolio to write down three of the job roles shown, and explain how creativity is used in that role. For the bonus questions, pay particular attention to whenever 'Product Lifecyle Management' is mentioned. . . Click here to begin your Designing the Future tour. Have fun!"

Project Task 2: Product Solutions

"You're back! I hope you enjoyed the tour and learned something new. For your next task, I would like you to have a look at the following notes that a product researcher made about one of the hair dryers they tested. On your way around, you might have noticed that the engineers were working on creating a new hair dryer. Although this isn't something that we make ourselves at Siemens, it gives you a good example of how a product comes to life. Using the space in your Portfolio, write down some new ideas about how this product might be improved. Explain your ideas in as much detail as possible. Sticking with the example of a hair dryer, I would now like you to test out your own creativity skills. As you have seen, a Product Researcher is the engineer that tests out previous products and identifies ways that the product can be improved. They then pass that information on to the Product Designers who use it to design a new product. Product Researchers need to use their creativity skills when thinking about new ways that a product could be improved. I look forward to seeing your suggestions!"

Quiz and Reflection Put your knowledge to the test and complete the ‘Welcome to Siemens’ quiz in your Student Portfolio! The correct answers can be found in the back of your Portfolio but no peaking…

Time to reflect. . . Go to your Skills Builder Passport at the back of your Portfolio and look at the steps for Creativity. Pick one or more steps that you think you have developed during this module. For each of your chosen steps, write an example of where you have demonstrated this skill while working through this module.

Congratulations! You have completed Module 3 – Innovation and Creativity!