"@m powers: i dont think it is. and it should be.some reverse engineering projects were part of my course (Product Design and Technology) back when i was a student (circa 2004), and i think there is more of an emphasis on this nowadays. but i think it should have more of a presence in pre-degree course curriculms because it is a simple but effective approach to design and gets people asking [and answering for themselves in some cases] the right questions.i love unravelling any construction (that i dare to unravel) to find out how it works and why a part is made a particular way.  its something i enjoy doing with my kids aswell - especially as its usually to fix something they have broken......:P"