Problem and solution

Solving problems

Engineers have important jobs. They see a problem and come up with a plan to fix the problem. Engineers create designs, and then they test their designs to see if they actually work. Here is an example . . .

Find the problem

As an engineer, the first step to solving a problem is identifying the problem. She has to ask questions to figure out the problem. Questions start with words like who, what, where, when, why, or how. Which question would match the picture?

A) How can we build stronger phone screens?

B) How can we help someone with an injured leg?

Make observations

Next engineers make observations about the problem. You would use your senses and look at what is around the problem. Let's look at the picture, what observation could we make?

Gather information

After an engineer finds the problem and makes observations they use what they know to gather information. There are many different ways you can gather information about a problem. You can gather information from books, on the internet, from experienced engineers or inventors, or from other people who have solved similar problems. What am I using to gather information about big push forces?

Brainstorming

Brainstorming ideas is a way to come up with multiple solutions to one problem. When you are able to come up with multiple solutions, you can think about each one and decide which is best. Let's look at the picture and answer the question....

Comparing ideas

The next step on our list is to compare ideas. We must look at the pros and cons. A pro is a positive aspect of an idea. A con is a negative aspect of an idea. When we look at all the positives and negatives of each idea, we can come up with a good solution. Help me choose which is a pro and con ...

1.) easy to use _______

2.) hard to make _______

Design

We are on the last step of our problem-solving checklist. This is exciting because it means we are close to a solution! After observing the pros and cons of each idea, we need to pick a solution, and start to design it. When they have a design, they create a plan to fix the potential problem. 

Problem Solved!

Now that we know the steps in solving problems it is your turn to practice! Use your problem-Solving checklist to help you!

Your turn! What is the problem?

You are working at a candy factory where there are always lots of yummy treats being made. There is no tool, however, that can move the candy from a large pile on the ground into the candy truck. Your task is to design a tool that can move the candy from the ground to the truck.