Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn how to solve problems just like engineers do. Engineers are people who create things to fix problems, and what they create is called a solution. Let’s dive into a fun adventure where we try to solve a problem using engineering steps!
The first step is to ask questions about the problem. My problem is that my back is really itchy, and I can’t reach the spot! So, we asked, “What can we use to solve it?” We looked around the fort and found some rulers, modeling dough, a pencil, a plastic fork, a cardboard roll from paper towels, and some tape. We don’t have to use everything, but we can only choose from these items.
Next, we used our imaginations to think of ways to solve the itchy back problem. We decided to make back scratchers! We took some time to draw our ideas on paper. Once we finished our drawings, it was time to move on to the next step.
Now it’s time to create! We looked at our drawings and started building our back scratchers. After making them, we were ready to test if they worked.
Testing means trying out our ideas to see if they solve the problem. I used tape to attach a plastic fork to a pencil, but it was too short to reach my itchy spot. So, my idea didn’t work, but that’s okay! Engineers don’t give up, and neither do we. Next, we tested Squeaks’ idea. He used modeling dough to stick the fork on a ruler. It was long enough, but the fork fell off because the dough wasn’t strong enough.
The last step is to improve. This means making our idea better. We decided to use tape instead of dough to hold the fork on Squeaks’ back scratcher. We tested it again, and it worked perfectly! It was long enough and stayed together.
Now, if we wanted, we could try making a different back scratcher using the same materials. Maybe we could use the paper towel tube to make it longer or create one that folds up to fit in a pocket. There are endless possibilities!
Thanks for joining us on this engineering adventure! If you have an invention you’d like to share, ask a grownup to help you leave a comment or send an email to [email protected]. Happy inventing!
Build Your Own Back Scratcher: Gather some materials from around your house, like a wooden spoon, rubber bands, or a piece of string. Try to create your own back scratcher using these items. Think about how you can make it long enough to reach your back and strong enough to stay together. Once you’ve built it, test it out and see if it works. If it doesn’t, think about how you can improve it. Remember, just like engineers, it’s okay if it doesn’t work the first time!
Observation Walk: Go on a walk around your home or neighborhood with a grown-up. Look for things that people have invented to solve everyday problems, like a doorbell to let people know you’re at the door or a bridge to cross a river. Talk about what problem each invention solves and how it might have been made. Can you think of any ways to improve these inventions?
Imagine and Draw: Think of a problem you face every day, like not being able to reach a high shelf or needing a way to organize your toys. Use your imagination to come up with a new invention that could solve this problem. Draw your invention on a piece of paper, and explain how it works to a friend or family member. What materials would you use to build it? How would you test it to make sure it works?
