Development of a Diagnose-and-Solve Problem for an Aerospace Engineering Classroom: A Design Case in Operationalizing Jonassen’s Design Theory of Problem Solving

Motivated by challenges faced by faculty to develop “good” problems for engineering classrooms, we report on the development and implementation of a diagnose-and-solve problem for an introductory aerospace engineering course. Our reporting follows the structure of a design case, a genre of scholarly and empirical reporting of the process and product behind the design of a learning experience. The objective is to demonstrate our efforts to operationalize Jonassen’s design theory of problem solving—inclusive of problem typology and characteristics of structuredness and complexity—as a framework to govern problem design and facilitation decisions. We describe the integration of field data from a middle school rocket launch outreach event into a problem-based learning experience for undergraduate aerospace engineers. Using hierarchical task analysis as a pedagogical reflection aid, we discuss important assumptions related to student engagement with the problem from the perspective of the problem designer and facilitator. Reflections on successes and challenges are shared.