Hey there! Today, we’re diving into the world of engineering, but instead of focusing on problems, we’re going to talk about solutions. Engineers are always solving problems, but how do they know when they’ve found a successful solution? Let’s find out!
A solution is something that engineers design or build to solve a problem. For example, the telephone was created to help people communicate over long distances. Refrigerators keep our food fresh, and light bulbs help us see in the dark. These are all solutions to specific problems.
When engineers talk about success, they mean finding a solution that effectively solves the problem. But how do they decide which solution is the best? They use something called “criteria” to help them. Criteria are like a checklist of things the solution needs to do to be considered successful.
Imagine we have a problem: we need to get across a deep canyon with a river at the bottom. As an engineer, I need to figure out what my solution should do. Here’s my checklist:
If Superman were real and nearby, he could fly me across. But since he’s not, I have to use what I have. I have a tent, so I could make a hang glider out of it. It meets all my criteria: it’s safe, I already have it, and I can reuse it as a tent later.
In engineering, the best solution is the one that meets all or most of the criteria. So, in our canyon example, the hang glider is the best choice because it ticks all the boxes. Remember, this is just a fun example, and you shouldn’t try to fly across a canyon with a tent!
So, that’s how engineers define success and choose the best solutions. They use criteria to make sure their solutions are effective and practical. Keep this in mind next time you face a problem—think like an engineer!
Build Your Own Bridge: Gather some simple materials like popsicle sticks, string, and tape. Challenge yourself to build a bridge that can hold a small toy car. Think about the criteria your bridge needs to meet: it should be strong enough to hold the car, it should be stable, and it should be long enough to span a gap between two books. Once you’ve built your bridge, test it with the toy car. Did it meet all your criteria? If not, how can you improve it?
Design a Solution for a Problem at Home: Look around your home and find a small problem that needs solving. It could be something like organizing your toys or keeping your pencils from rolling off the table. Think like an engineer and come up with a solution. Draw a picture of your idea and list the criteria that will make your solution successful. Share your idea with a family member and see if they have any suggestions to make it even better!
Observation Walk: Take a walk around your neighborhood or a local park with an adult. Look for examples of engineering solutions, like bridges, playground equipment, or streetlights. Discuss what problem each solution is solving and what criteria might have been used to design it. For example, a playground slide should be safe, fun, and durable. Can you think of any improvements or new solutions that could be added to your community?
