Engineering a Prototype

What Is a Prototype?

A prototype is a simple, often imperfect version of your solution. It's built not to be perfect — but to test ideas, explore options, and uncover what works (and what doesn’t).

Why Prototype Early?

• Spot flaws before they become expensive mistakes
• Get feedback from real users and teammates
• Visualize and test abstract ideas quickly

What Makes a Good Prototype?

A good prototype is:

• Simple — made with just enough detail to test an idea
• Focused — aimed at answering one specific question
• Cheap — built quickly with whatever you’ve got

Try It

Sketch or describe a rough prototype of your egg-drop lander. What materials would you use? What parts would you test first?