Identifying Engineering Problems Effectively

The video discusses the nature of problems, comparing everyday issues to engineering challenges. It explains the role of engineers, who design and build solutions to specific problems, and introduces the Engineering Process. The video emphasizes the importance of defining a problem clearly and solvably, using a canyon crossing scenario as an example. It highlights that asking the right questions is crucial in problem-solving and sets the stage for the engineering process.

Which of the following is an example of a problem that engineers might solve?

• Forgetting to do homework

• Flying hundreds of people safely through the air

• Choosing what to eat for dinner

• Deciding what movie to watch

What is the first step in the Engineering Process?

• Testing the solution

• Brainstorming ideas

• Building a prototype

• Defining the problem

Why is defining the problem considered a crucial step in the Engineering Process?

• It allows engineers to skip other steps

• It ensures the problem is unsolvable

• It helps in building the final product

• It sets the stage for all subsequent steps

In the canyon example, what was the initial problem identified?

• How to build a bridge

• How to cross a very big canyon

• How to swim across a river

• How to climb down and up the canyon

What did the engineer realize was the actual problem to solve in the canyon example?

• How to build a bridge

• How to swim across the river

• How to climb down the canyon

• How to fly across the canyon

Why is asking a lot of questions important in defining a problem?

• It helps in complaining about the problem

• It makes the problem more complex

• It helps in refining the problem to a solvable one

• It delays the problem-solving process

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

What is a key characteristic of a well-defined problem?

• It is very broad and unspecific

• It does not require any questions

• It is something that can be solved

• It is impossible to solve

What should an engineer do if the problem is not potentially solvable from the start?

• Skip to the next step

• Complain about the problem

• Redefine the problem

• Ignore the problem

What is the next step after defining a solvable problem in the Engineering Process?

• Testing the solution

• Building a prototype

• Asking more questions

• Brainstorming solutions

What will the next lesson focus on according to the video?

• How to build a bridge

• How to fly across the canyon

• How to climb down the canyon

• How to swim across the river