[JaneYoung]

We have something called Drop Dead Design Day (D^4).
After Kick-Off, we have 4 or 5 design leads and the team divides up with each lead, 3 to 6 per group, all students. They each have 3 days to come up with a design and most groups usually meet the Sunday following Kick Off. After school on that Wednesday the team gathers with mentors, parents, anyone interested and each design is presented; our lead teacher and technical mentors usually present one or two designs or ideas at that time. The first time around it is presented by the group using white board, chalk board, mock up, overhead, CAD, whatever the group decides. We go through all the designs, allowing time for questions following each presentation. Then we go back through each design making a list of pros/cons. Lively discussions are usually involved during the process. When all the designs have been presented, questions asked, discussions relatively ended, then there is a vote. Everyone can vote. Often, there is discussion even after the vote and we have been known to revisit the design and stay until everyone is relatively happy. From there the design can continue to change and develop as the team discovers what will and will not work. It can follow the design presented as well with minimal changes, depending on the year, the challenge, the team.