Engineering Design Study Guide and Process

What is the main job of an engineer?

• Sell tools and machines to customers

• Use science and creativity to solve problems

• Copy others’ ideas without changes

• Memorize facts for long tests only

Which word best matches: things needed for an activity like cotton balls or yarn?

• Designs drawn on paper

• Materials needed for a task

• Properties of a substance

• Technology used by humans

What does the word design mean in engineering?

• A list of materials without pictures

• A finished product with no instructions

• A random guess about how to build something

• A plan or drawing that shows how something works

Properties are best described as

• Steps used to test a prototype

• Characteristics like color, hardness, or density

• Places where engineers do their work

• Tools that help measure distances

Technology is

• Anything humans create to meet a need

• Only electronic devices with screens

• Natural objects found in forests

• Only tools made from metal parts

Which step of the Engineering Design Process comes first?

• Ask about the problem and limits

• Plan by drawing and listing materials

• Create and test the solution

• Improve what did not work well

During the Imagine step, what should teams do?

• Skip choices and build fast

• Buy materials without a plan

• Brainstorm ideas and pick the best

• Test and record final results

What are two main actions in the Plan step?

• Draw a diagram and gather materials

• Clean tools and recycle scraps

• Write a story and decorate pages

• Vote on rules and pick a leader

Which action belongs in the Create step?

• Only change parts that look cool

• Only list problems and constraints

• Only talk about possible ideas

• Follow the plan and test it out

What is the goal of the Improve step?

• Discuss what can work better

• End the project without tests

• Choose the first idea quickly

• Throw away all earlier plans