The teacher of an engineering class is having students work on a project in which they build a model bridge using hot glue and craft sticks. The project is being used as an assessment for the objective, 'Given basic materials, students will build a 24-inch model bridge that supports a minimum of 10 pounds.'

While researching possible solutions is an important part of the engineering design process, the primary focus of this project is on the design and construction of the bridge itself. Researching solutions serves as a preliminary step, but it does not encompass the hands-on aspect of building a model bridge.

Utilizing design software can be beneficial for planning and visualizing engineering projects; however, this specific project emphasizes the physical construction of a model bridge using basic materials. The hands-on experience of building the bridge is more relevant to the assessment objective than virtual planning tools.

Testing and comparing designs is an essential part of the engineering process, but this project specifically focuses on constructing a bridge with provided materials. The assessment is directed toward the successful design and building of the bridge rather than an extensive testing phase with varying materials.