Everyone has problems, right? You, me, even famous people like Taylor Swift and Tony Stark! Some problems, like forgetting to do your homework, might seem huge. But when you compare them to bigger challenges, they might not seem so bad. For example, engineers face big problems like figuring out how to fly hundreds of people safely in a plane or designing buildings that can withstand strong winds.
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t do your homework. It’s important! But it’s not as big as inventing a spaceship. Engineers are people who love to understand how things work. They design and build machines, systems, and structures to solve specific problems. No matter what type of engineer they are, they all follow the same steps called the Engineering Process.
The first step in the Engineering Process is defining the problem. This means figuring out exactly what problem needs solving. But this step isn’t as simple as it sounds. Let’s explore this with a fun example!
Imagine you’re on one side of a huge canyon, and you need to get to the other side. You might think the problem is just “how to cross the canyon.” But an engineer would dig deeper by asking lots of questions.
First, is there a bridge? No? Can you climb down and up the other side? Nope, it’s too deep, and there’s a river at the bottom. Swimming across isn’t an option either. So, what’s left? You need to find a way to fly across the canyon. That’s a specific problem you can solve: “How do I fly across this very big canyon?”
It takes some thinking and lots of questions to define a problem clearly. But once you do, it’s easier to solve. Saying, “I want to get to the other side of the canyon” isn’t helpful. It’s just stating the problem loudly without a clear solution.
Defining the problem in a way that can be solved is key to being a good engineer. This first step is super important because it sets the stage for all the other steps in the engineering process. If you don’t start with a solvable problem, you might never find a solution!
So, engineers ask lots of questions to define a problem as specifically as possible and, most importantly, as something that can be solved. How will engineer Sabrina find a way to fly across that gorge? You’ll have to watch the next lesson to find out!
Build a Bridge Challenge: Gather some simple materials like popsicle sticks, tape, and string. Ask the children to work in small groups to build a bridge that can hold a small toy car. Encourage them to think like engineers by first defining the problem: “How can we build a bridge that is strong enough to hold a toy car?” Have them brainstorm ideas, draw a simple plan, and then build their bridge. After testing their bridges, discuss what worked well and what could be improved.
Question the Problem: Present a simple problem to the children, such as “We need to keep our classroom tidy.” Ask them to dig deeper by asking questions like an engineer would. What makes the classroom untidy? Is it the desks, the floor, or the shelves? What specific things need to be organized? Encourage them to come up with a clear, specific problem statement, such as “How can we organize the books on the shelves to keep the classroom tidy?”
Observation Walk: Take the children on a short walk around the school or playground. Ask them to observe and identify any problems they see, such as a muddy path or a broken swing. Encourage them to define these problems clearly by asking questions and thinking about what might be causing them. Have them share their observations and discuss possible solutions as a group.
