FUTURA FOOD ENGINEER'S DOSSIER

Table of Contents
Chapter 1:
Request for Proposals (RFP) ............................... 2
Chapter 2:
Meeting Your Metabolic Needs ............................. 3
Chapter 3:
Ingredient Information ....................................... 4
Chapter 4:
Target Populations .............................................. 6
Chapter 5:
Proposal Resources ............................................ 8
Chapter 6:
Engineering Glossary.........................................11

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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California
Chapter 1:
Request for Proposals (RFP)

International Disaster Aid (IDA) is a large nonprofit organization providing relief and medical
services to areas affected by natural disasters, such as forest fires, floods, hurricanes,
earthquakes, and tornadoes. IDA provides medical care for the sick and wounded and has a team
of trained rescue workers who search for and provide help to individuals who are still in danger.

IDA would like to provide its staff and patients with

health bars to help them meet their nutritional
needs during a natural disaster. Rescue workers
are active and need to keep their energy up while
they are providing disaster relief, while people with
injuries need extra energy and protein to help their
body recover. IDA seeks proposals for a health bar
to feed the rescue workers and patients at disaster
sites. Health bars can be packed with nutrients,
carried easily, and eaten quickly, making them ideal
for disaster sites. Futura Engineering’s Nutrition Aid organizations like International Disaster Aid
Division will focus on designing a recipe for a health give food, medical supplies, and other useful
things to people who have been affected by
bar that will help IDA meet its goal.
disasters. This rescue worker is giving out bags
Successful proposals will address three criteria: of everyday items people might need.

1. Meet the metabolic needs of the

target population
Patients and rescue workers in disaster locations
need nutrients to help them keep their energy up and
heal their bodies. Different populations have specific
needs, and successful health bars must meet those
needs.

2. Have a high taste score

A health bar that tastes terrible will most likely go to
waste; the bars need to taste good so people will be
willing to eat them. The taste score is a measure of
Aid workers load boxes of supplies onto a truck
how highly people rate the bars’ taste.
that will take them where they’re needed.

3. Keep costs low

International Disaster Aid’s funds are limited since
the money comes from donations. The organization
has a strict budget, so the less they spend on each
bar, the more people they can serve.

2 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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Chapter 2:
Meeting Your Metabolic Needs

The food you eat is mostly made of nutrients like

proteins and carbohydrates. Along with oxygen,
carbon dioxide, and water, these foods play an
essential role in human metabolism. That is the
process in which your body uses molecules like
glucose and amino acids for energy and growth.
On a small scale (molecular level), when your
metabolic needs are met, it means that your body has
everything it needs in order to grow and repair your
cells, as well as release energy from glucose through
the process of cellular respiration. On a large scale
(whole body level), it means that your body has
everything it needs to perform required activities like
breathing, thinking, and moving. Different people Health bars may contain many different
have different metabolic needs depending on their combinations of ingredients to meet the needs
health, activity level, and age. of many different people.

Growth and Repair Needs

Your body is constantly repairing and replacing old and damaged cells and tissues, a process
which requires both energy and protein. Bodies that are stressed, either by injury or strenuous
activity, are especially occupied with the growth and repair process. When we take in proteins
through the foods we eat, our bodies break down the proteins into amino acid molecules. Then
our bodies chemically rearrange the amino acids to form specific molecules needed by the cells
and tissues for growth and repair.

Energy Needs

Your body uses carbohydrates like starch to release energy that it needs to move, think, stay
warm, and grow. The digestive system breaks down starch into glucose. During cellular
respiration, glucose and oxygen molecules are chemically rearranged to form carbon dioxide and
water molecules, releasing energy in the process.

Carbohydrates break down at different rates, and the rate of metabolism affects how the body
functions. Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates break down into glucose.
(The word glycemic refers to glucose.) Carbohydrates that break down slowly, such as the
carbohydrates found in broccoli, have a low glycemic index. Foods with a lower glycemic index are
better for providing energy that lasts over a longer period of time. Some carbohydrates that break
down quickly, such as the carbohydrates found in watermelon, have a high glycemic index. Foods
with a higher glycemic index are better for providing energy that is available almost immediately.

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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California Image credit: Shutterstock MEETING YOUR METABOLIC NEEDS 3
Chapter 3:
Ingredient Information

raisins pumpkin seeds nonfat milk powder

puffed wheat puffed rice soy beans

nutritional yeast dark chocolate chips prunes

Several different ingredients are available for your health bar recipes.

4 INGREDIENT INFORMATION
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Ingredients Table
Ingredient Protein Content Carbohydrate Content Glycemic Index

raisins low high high

pumpkin seeds high low medium

nonfat milk powder medium medium medium

puffed wheat low high high

puffed rice low high high

soy beans medium medium low

nutritional yeast high low low

dark chocolate chips low high low

prunes low high low

The information listed above is based on the following value ranges:

Protein (%): low= 0-33, medium= 34-66, high= 67-100.

Carbohydrate (%): low= 0-33, medium= 34-66, high= 67-100.
Glycemic Index: low= 0-30, medium= 31-60, high= 61-80.

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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California INGREDIENT INFORMATION 5
Chapter 4:
Target Populations

International Disaster Aid (IDA) has identified two groups of people who could benefit from health
bars. These are referred to as the “target populations.” Within each target population, several
people have volunteered to test out FuturaBars to see how each bar meets their needs. These
people are referred to as “test users,” and they are examples of the kinds of people in the target
populations. Below is more information on each target population and its volunteer test users.

Target Population: Patients

After severe natural disasters, hospitals are often filled with patients who have varying needs.
Some are in critical condition, while others are less severely wounded. All patients need high
levels of protein for the growth and repair processes, such as healing broken bones or recovering
from brain injuries. Without high levels of protein, their injuries will not heal properly or quickly.
In addition to protein, these growth and repair processes require energy. To help themselves
recover, some patients must also exercise, which requires additional energy. These patients need
carbohydrates to give them energy. Overall, patients need a constant supply of energy that is not
released too quickly or too slowly.

PATIENT 1
These test users have improved so much, they are almost ready to go home.
They can be active, so they exercise often in order to rebuild their muscles.

PATIENT 2
These test users have injuries that are not too bad. Some are rescuers who
were injured while working. They are able to exercise while their bodies
repair themselves.

PATIENT 3
These test users have serious injuries. They mostly stay in bed and can
only get up for short periods of light exercise. Their bodies need energy for
growth and repair.

PATIENT 4
These test users have life-threatening injuries. They must stay in bed
and can only move a little. Their bodies are doing growth and repair on a
large scale.

6 TARGET POPULATIONS
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Target Population: Rescue Workers
The rescue effort to find people and move fallen buildings and debris is intense. Rescue workers
often work all day, climbing through brush or damaged buildings, carrying victims to safety,
and providing medical attention. The workers are healthy people who have high energy needs
throughout the day. They do many activities that require them to use energy immediately, but they
also need sustained energy in order to work for long periods. In addition to carbohydrates, rescue
workers must have protein to repair tired muscles at the end of the day or minor injuries that
they receive.

RESCUE WORKER 1
These test users go out and search for injured people. They travel long
distances, often for long periods of time, so they need a source of energy
that lasts.

RESCUE WORKER 2
These test users need energy right away as they hurry to help injured
people. They may need to move rocks or parts of fallen buildings and sprint,
dig, or swim.

RESCUE WORKER 3
These test users are teenagers. This is difficult work, and since their bodies
are  still growing, they need molecules that will help them grow AND repair.

RESCUE WORKER 4
Elite test users do it all. Their days are long and their work is intense, so they
need energy that lasts. They also need to move fast when people are trapped
and need help immediately.

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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California TARGET POPULATIONS 7
Chapter 5:
Proposal Resources

Sample Proposal: Designing a

Greener Toothbrush
INTRODUCTION
Our team at Futura Engineering is working for
Dentists for the Planet to design a better toothbrush
that isn’t bad for the Earth but is also good for
people’s teeth. The toothbrush should have a low
environmental impact so it doesn’t make trash or
pollution when you’re done with it. Designs should
have a high clean-mouth rating because that means
Not all toothbrushes are the same. They come
the toothbrush removes as much tooth plaque as in different styles and have different strengths
possible. And the toothbrush should be low‑cost so and weaknesses.
more people can buy the toothbrush and help the
planet. Our optimal design uses a plant-based plastic
handle and natural-fiber bristles. This toothbrush
design has a medium environmental impact rating
of 3.1, a clean-mouth rating of 84%, and costs $2.08
per toothbrush.

DESIGN DECISIONS
Environmental impact: The proposed toothbrush
design has an environmental impact rating of 3.1.
Based on design feedback, we set a goal of an
environmental impact rating of 3.5 or lower. We had
another design with a lower impact rating of 1.9 with
bamboo handle and natural-fiber bristles, but it didn’t
do well for other criteria. The handle we chose is made
of a plastic that comes from plants and is meant to be
recycled, and can slowly biodegrade, which means it
is better for the environment. The bristles are natural
fibers and are completely biodegradable. These
materials are made from trees, which can break down
in a compost or landfill without producing pollution.

Keeping mouths clean: Our design has a

clean‑mouth rating of 84%, which is better than
our goal of 80%. We found that plastic bristles and
natural-fiber bristles both removed at least 80% of

8 PROPOSAL RESOURCES
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plaque, and the more plaque removed, the less tooth
decay there is, and the healthier people are. Therefore,
we selected the natural-fiber bristles for our design.
We had a cheaper design using nylon bristles ($1.20
per toothbrush), but the clean-mouth rating for that
toothbrush was only 53%. The plant-based plastic
handle also affected the clean-mouth rating because
the strength of the handle affects how much plaque
is removed. Plastics are stiffer and help the person
remove more plaque while brushing compared to more
flexible handles made from all plant material.
Toothbrushes can be made from many
Cost: Our proposed design costs $2.08 per toothbrush. different materials.

Our team tried to make a toothbrush that cost around

$1.90 based on our team goal. We had a plan that cost
only $1.20, but it had a high environmental impact and
a very low clean-mouth rating. Plastic handles cost the
least and plant-based plastic handles cost more but are
still less expensive than all bamboo handles. Natural-
fiber bristles cost more than nylon or plastic bristles.
Since we didn’t use the most expensive handles, our
cost is still in an affordable range.

CONCLUSION: CONSIDERING TRADE-OFFS

We learned that toothbrush materials that work the
best at cleaning the mouth are expensive and are not
good for the environment. Toothbrush materials that
are best for the environment don’t do well at cleaning
teeth and can also cost more. The cheapest handles
were the worst for the environment but good at cleaning
the mouth. The cheapest bristles were okay for the
environment but not very good at cleaning the mouth.
We focused on the criterion we think is most important:
keeping mouths clean. Because we focused on the
clean-mouth rating, the toothbrush costs more than
other designs. Our proposed design is optimal because,
even though it doesn’t have the best environmental
impact or cost, it is excellent at getting rid of tooth
plaque which is important for keeping mouths, and
people, healthy.
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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California Image credit: Shutterstock PROPOSAL RESOURCES 9
Proposal Rubric
INTRODUCTION
Needs Improvement Developing Proficient Excels
Introduction is incomplete; Lists the criteria of the Summarizes the design Thoroughly summarizes
missing one or more project but does not request and describes the design request and
criteria and no mention of describe them; mentions most criteria; describes describes the proposed
the proposed design the proposed design by the proposed design by design by listing the
listing the results or details listing the results or details variables or details and the
but not both but not both final results

DESIGN DECISIONS (same for each criterion)

Needs Improvement Developing Proficient Excels
No evidence is provided Uses minimal evidence Uses some evidence to Uses multiple pieces of
to support the design to support the design support design decision, strong evidence to support
decision; explanation is decision and does not mostly explaining why design decision, thoroughly
inadequate or missing explain why the specific the specific feature was explaining why the specific
feature was selected over selected over other options feature was selected over
other options and/or how and how that feature other options and how
that feature of the design of the design relates to that feature of the design
relates to the criterion the criterion relates to the criterion

CONCLUSION: CONSIDERING TRADE‑OFFS

Needs Improvement Developing Proficient Excels
Two or more of the One of the following needs Includes all of the Description of design
following need attention: attention: design priorities, following, but may lack priorities is clear;
design priorities, summary of trade-offs in detail: design priorities, summary of trade‑offs
summary of trade-offs the optimal design, or a summary of trade-offs in in the optimal design is
in the optimal design, or closing statement the optimal design, and a detailed and thorough;
a closing statement closing statement includes a strong
closing statement

SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION
Needs Improvement Developing Proficient Excels
Lacks topic-specific Attempts to use Uses some topic‑specific Uses topic-specific
vocabulary; uses topic‑specific vocabulary vocabulary; uses vocabulary clearly and
informal style and formal writing style, formal writing style appropriately; uses formal
or language but needs improvement somewhat successfully writing style successfully

10 PROPOSAL RESOURCES
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Chapter 6:
Engineering Glossary

analyze: to examine in detail for a purpose

analizar: examinar en detalle y con un propósito

carbohydrate: a group of molecule types that are broken down by the digestive system
into glucose
carbohidrato: un grupo de tipos de moléculas que son descompuestos en glucosa por el sistema digestivo

cellular respiration: the chemical reaction between oxygen and glucose that releases energy
into cells
respiración celular: la reacción química entre oxígeno y glucosa que libera energía en las células

criteria: standards by which something may be judged

criterios: normas por medio de las cuales se puede juzgar algo

deliverable: a thing to be delivered, usually in a development or design process

entregable: una cosa que debe entregarse, usualmente durante un proceso de desarrollo o diseño

disaster relief: help, usually food and supplies, that is given to people who have survived disaster
ayuda en casos de desastre: ayuda, usualmente alimentos y provisiones, que se da a personas que han
sobrevivido a un desastre

dossier: a set of related documents about a particular topic

expediente: un conjunto de documentos relacionados sobre un tema particular

energy: the ability to make things move or change

energía: la capacidad de hacer que las cosas se muevan o cambien

engineer: a person who uses math and science to design things

ingeniero/a: una persona que utiliza las matemáticas y la ciencia para diseñar cosas

food engineer: a type of engineer who solves problems related to food materials, safety, storage,
and distribution
ingeniero/a en alimentos: un tipo de ingeniero/a que resuelve problemas relacionados con los
materiales, la seguridad, el almacenamiento, y la distribución de los alimentos

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glucose: a molecule that organisms can use to release energy, and that is made of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
glucosa: una molécula que los organismos pueden usar para liberar energía y que está hecha de átomos
de carbono, hidrógeno y oxígeno

glycemic index: a measure of how quickly carbohydrates break down into glucose
índice glucémico: una medida de cuán rápido los carbohidratos se desintegran en glucosa

interns: beginners at a workplace who do work that is closely supervised because they are
learning on the job
becarios/as: principiantes que hacen un trabajo estrechamente supervisado porque están aprendiendo
durante el mismo

iterative testing: repeating a process in a way that considers the results of a previous design
pruebas iterativas: la repetición de un proceso de manera que se consideren los resultados de un
diseño anterior

metabolic needs: what the body needs in order to undergo cellular processes for growth and
repair and energy release
necesidades metabólicas: lo que el cuerpo necesita para desempeñar procesos celulares para el
crecimiento y la reparación y la liberación de energía

metabolism: the body’s use of molecules for energy and growth

metabolismo: el uso de moléculas por el cuerpo para obtener energía y crecer

optimal: most successful, considering the situation

óptimo: más exitoso, considerando la situación

proposal: a formal design that is supported by evidence, and submitted for discussion and review
propuesta: un diseño formal respaldado por evidencia y presentado para discusión y revisión

proteins: a category of large molecules that perform important functions inside living things
proteínas: una categoría de moléculas grandes que desempeñan funciones importantes dentro de los
seres vivientes

12 ENGINEERING GLOSSARY
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starch: a type of energy storage molecule made of many glucose molecules connected together
almidón: un tipo de molécula de almacenamiento de energía hecha de muchas moléculas de
glucosa unidas

target population: a group of people who are supposed to be served by a designed product
población objetivo: un grupo de gente que debe ser servido por un producto diseñado

test users: people who test out a product while it is being designed
usuarios/as de prueba: personas que testean un producto mientras que está siendo diseñado

trade-off: when you have to give up one thing in return for another
concesión: una situación en la que se debe renunciar a algo para obtener otra cosa a cambio

variable: something that can be changed and may be measured

variable: algo que se puede cambiar y que se puede medir

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© 2018 The Regents of the University of California ENGINEERING GLOSSARY 13