What is Engineering?

Bellringer: Solving a problem or fixing something often involves which of the following actions?

• Thinking about what went wrong and taking steps to fix it.

• Ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away.

• Waiting for someone else to solve it.

• Giving up immediately.

An engineer is:

• a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures

• someone who only works with animals

• a person who only paints pictures

• someone who only writes stories

Fill in the blank: Engineering is using _______, knowledge, and problem-solving skills to design and build things that solve problems and help people.

• creativity

• luck

• guesswork

• imagination

What do civil engineers do? Fill in the blank: Civil engineers design and build structures like ________, roads, and buildings.

• bridges

• computers

• trees

• books

Which of the following is an example of something a civil engineer might work on?

• The Brooklyn Bridge

• A spaceship

• A submarine

• A farm

Why does the work of civil engineers matter? Fill in the blank: They make sure structures are ________ and safe.

• strong

• colorful

• expensive

• ancient

What do Mechanical Engineers do?

• Create machines and mechanical systems that move or do work.

• Design software applications.

• Build bridges and roads.

• Study chemical reactions.

Fill in the blank: Mechanical Engineers help make machines ______ and reliable.

• efficient

• fragile

• expensive

• slow

What do Environmental Engineers do? Fill in the blank: Environmental Engineers solve problems related to the _______ and protect natural resources.

• environment

• economy

• technology

• transportation

Which of the following is an example of work done by Environmental Engineers?

• Building bridges

• Water treatment plants

• Designing cars

• Writing software