WGU C975 Engineering Task 2| Passed
on First Attempt |Latest Update with
Complete Solution
Engineering Challenge Task 2
1. Problem to be solved
Many jobs nowadays involve excessive use of cell phones and or laptops.
Sitting at a desk for long periods, staring at a screen, is not a natural position
and can cause issues with the human body (Toko, Binjum et al., 2025). These
issues can include poor posture (neck/back strain). Another issue that arises
from having your device on a normal flat surface is that the circumstance
can trap heat under the device, causing throttling or discomfort.
The problem: design and build a simple, stable, adjustable stand using
common household materials that raises a laptop or phone to a more
convenient height and angle, improving airflow to enhance cooling.
2. Why it's meaningful
● Health: Raising the screen reduces neck and upper-back strain and
improves ergonomics for homework, remote work, or video calls
(Toko, Binjim et al. 2025)
● Performance & longevity: Better airflow reduces device
temperature, which can improve performance and extend
component life.
● Accessibility & cost: A low-cost, homemade solution makes
ergonomics accessible without the need to purchase a commercial
stand.
● Practice engineering: This task involves defining problems,
prototyping, testing, and iterating—core engineering practices.
3. Constraints and specifications for a successful solution
Design must meet these must-have constraints:
● Physical: Holds the device securely and stably (no tipping) on flat
surfaces (table/bed).
● Load capacity: Supports up to 1.5 kg (typical 15" laptop) without
deforming.
● Height range: Raises the screen between 10 cm and 30 cm
above the desk surface, useful eye-level range, and minimizes neck
, strain (Tsantili et al. 2022)
● Tilt range: Provides adjustable tilt between 0° (flat) and 45°.
● Ventilation: Must allow at least 25–40% of the laptop's bottom
area to be exposed/open for airflow (no complete blocking).
● Non-slip: The base and device contact points must resist slipping
(e.g., rubber, textured tape, cloth).
● Materials: Made only from common household materials
(cardboard, binder clips, wooden rulers, empty cereal box,
clothespins, plastic containers, coat hanger, books, etc.).
● Non-permanent & repairable: Should be easy to modify/repair
without special tools. I should be able to fix this easily without any
special tools.
● Safety: No sharp protrusions; stable for everyday use near liquids
and power cords.
● Aesthetics (nice-to-have): Reasonably tidy appearance for desk
use.
Measurable success criteria (for testing):
● The stand supports a weighted device (e.g., 1.5 kg bag of rice) for a
minimum of 10 minutes without collapse.
● Device tilt and height can be adjusted and maintained in position.
● No slippage when typing lightly on the keyboard.
● The bottom of the device has an open area for airflow.
4. List of possible physical solutions with pros/cons
1. Folded-cardboard wedge stand (cereal box or corrugated
cardboard)
● Build: Cut and fold a cereal box into a triangular wedge with a
lip for the device. Reinforce with hot glue and layering.
● Pros: Very affordable, customizable tilt and height by adjusting
the fold; easy to assemble.
● Cons: Less durable if wet; limited fine adjustment; needs
reinforcement for heavier laptops.
2. Book-stack + anti-slip pad with rear riser
● Build: Stack two or three hardcover books and secure a thin,
non-slip mat on top. Use a smaller book or wedge at the back
to set the tilt.
● Pros: Very fast, stable, supports heavy laptops.
● Cons: Bulky; not portable; limited ventilation unless books are
placed with a gap underneath.
3. Binder-clip / cardboard hybrid adjustable stand
on First Attempt |Latest Update with
Complete Solution
Engineering Challenge Task 2
1. Problem to be solved
Many jobs nowadays involve excessive use of cell phones and or laptops.
Sitting at a desk for long periods, staring at a screen, is not a natural position
and can cause issues with the human body (Toko, Binjum et al., 2025). These
issues can include poor posture (neck/back strain). Another issue that arises
from having your device on a normal flat surface is that the circumstance
can trap heat under the device, causing throttling or discomfort.
The problem: design and build a simple, stable, adjustable stand using
common household materials that raises a laptop or phone to a more
convenient height and angle, improving airflow to enhance cooling.
2. Why it's meaningful
● Health: Raising the screen reduces neck and upper-back strain and
improves ergonomics for homework, remote work, or video calls
(Toko, Binjim et al. 2025)
● Performance & longevity: Better airflow reduces device
temperature, which can improve performance and extend
component life.
● Accessibility & cost: A low-cost, homemade solution makes
ergonomics accessible without the need to purchase a commercial
stand.
● Practice engineering: This task involves defining problems,
prototyping, testing, and iterating—core engineering practices.
3. Constraints and specifications for a successful solution
Design must meet these must-have constraints:
● Physical: Holds the device securely and stably (no tipping) on flat
surfaces (table/bed).
● Load capacity: Supports up to 1.5 kg (typical 15" laptop) without
deforming.
● Height range: Raises the screen between 10 cm and 30 cm
above the desk surface, useful eye-level range, and minimizes neck
, strain (Tsantili et al. 2022)
● Tilt range: Provides adjustable tilt between 0° (flat) and 45°.
● Ventilation: Must allow at least 25–40% of the laptop's bottom
area to be exposed/open for airflow (no complete blocking).
● Non-slip: The base and device contact points must resist slipping
(e.g., rubber, textured tape, cloth).
● Materials: Made only from common household materials
(cardboard, binder clips, wooden rulers, empty cereal box,
clothespins, plastic containers, coat hanger, books, etc.).
● Non-permanent & repairable: Should be easy to modify/repair
without special tools. I should be able to fix this easily without any
special tools.
● Safety: No sharp protrusions; stable for everyday use near liquids
and power cords.
● Aesthetics (nice-to-have): Reasonably tidy appearance for desk
use.
Measurable success criteria (for testing):
● The stand supports a weighted device (e.g., 1.5 kg bag of rice) for a
minimum of 10 minutes without collapse.
● Device tilt and height can be adjusted and maintained in position.
● No slippage when typing lightly on the keyboard.
● The bottom of the device has an open area for airflow.
4. List of possible physical solutions with pros/cons
1. Folded-cardboard wedge stand (cereal box or corrugated
cardboard)
● Build: Cut and fold a cereal box into a triangular wedge with a
lip for the device. Reinforce with hot glue and layering.
● Pros: Very affordable, customizable tilt and height by adjusting
the fold; easy to assemble.
● Cons: Less durable if wet; limited fine adjustment; needs
reinforcement for heavier laptops.
2. Book-stack + anti-slip pad with rear riser
● Build: Stack two or three hardcover books and secure a thin,
non-slip mat on top. Use a smaller book or wedge at the back
to set the tilt.
● Pros: Very fast, stable, supports heavy laptops.
● Cons: Bulky; not portable; limited ventilation unless books are
placed with a gap underneath.
3. Binder-clip / cardboard hybrid adjustable stand
