Thinking Like an Engineer

What is an engineer?

• A person who builds things

• A person who uses their imagination

• A person who solves problems

What is a solution?

• A problem

• A guess

• Something that solves a problem

What is an example of a problem that an engineer might solve?

• Designing a bridge

• Painting a picture

• Solving a math problem

What are the steps that engineers follow to find a solution?

• Ask, imagine, create, improve

• Think, plan, execute, evaluate

• Read, study, memorize, repeat

What does the step 'ask' involve?

• Asking questions about the problem

• Asking for help from others

• Asking for more time to solve the problem

What does the step 'imagine' involve?

• Drawing a picture of the solution

• Thinking of many solutions to the problem

• Creating a model of the solution

What is a model, or prototype?

• Something that looks or acts like a thing in the real world

• A drawing of the solution

• A plan for the project

What does the step 'create' involve?

• Testing the solution

• Improving the solution

• Building a model, or prototype

What does the step 'improve' involve?

• Looking at the model to see if it can be made better

• Choosing a different solution from the list

• Giving up on the project

What is the problem Jessi needs help solving?

• itchy feet

• itchy back

• itchy dog