Situation cognition theory describes the context of a learning activity’s effect on learner’s cognition. In this paper, we use situated cognition theory to examine the effect of product dissection on product redesign activities. Two research questions were addressed: 1) Does situated cognition, in the form of product dissection, improve product functionality during redesign exercise?, and 2) Does situation cognition, again in the form of product dissection, affect the creativity of product redesigns? In this study, three sections of first year students in two different locations — The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) — performed product redesign using either an electric toothbrush or a coffee maker. The redesigned products have been analyzed with respect to both depth (detail level) and creativity.

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The objective of this paper is to provide a method of quantifying lean wastes in terms of carbon dioxide emissions by using value stream mapping. Lean manufacturing, based on waste identification and reduction, is a growing trend in industry and a proven method of lowering costs. The environmental impact of these wastes can be quantified in a new way by treating green waste as an outcome of lean wastes. Growing environmental concerns are prompting federal government regulation of greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide emissions, as introduced in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. This bill would have a significant economic impact on manufacturing businesses. And while many carbon footprint calculators are available for citizens to quantify their own emissions, there are currently none available for manufacturing companies to use in order to accurately quantify their carbon dioxide emissions to meet impending governmental regulations.