Exploring Scientific and Engineering Methods

What is the main goal when using the Scientific Method?

• To make a hypothesis about engineering

• To understand something about the natural world

• To solve a problem by building a product

• To design a new type of bird feeder

What is the first step in the Engineering Design Process?

• Defining the problem

• Drawing conclusions

• Making a hypothesis

• Conducting experiments

Why do we do background research?

• To communicate findings

• To understand existing knowledge

• To define the problem

• To build a prototype

What is a hypothesis?

• An educated guess based on research

• A solution to a problem

• An engineering prototype

• A type of bird feeder

What criteria are considered when designing a bird feeder?

• Color and shape

• Size, safety, and cost

• The type of birds

• The weather only

How do the Scientific Method and Engineering Design Process differ in their approach to experiments?

• Only the Engineering Design Process uses data analysis

• The Engineering Design Process focuses on building prototypes instead

• Both use the same types of experiments

• Only the Scientific Method uses experiments

What is the purpose of testing a prototype?

• To evaluate against criteria

• To start the design process

• To make a hypothesis

• To finalize the product

Why is iteration important in engineering?

• To make the experiment work

• To test the hypothesis

• To improve the design based on tests

• To attract more birds

What outcome do you achieve by using the Engineering Design Process?

• Making a scientific discovery

• Understanding bird behavior

• Designing a functional bird feeder

• Testing a hypothesis

When should you use the Scientific Method?

• When selling a bird feeder

• When improving a product

• When asking 'Why does this happen?'

• When building something new