Practice the steps of the engineering design process, ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve.

Read each problem carefully. Think like an engineer. Show your work in the space provided.

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Using steps to solve problems like an engineer

Science - Grade 2-3

Instructions Read each problem carefully. Think like an engineer. Show your work in the space provided.
  1. 1
    Crayons rolling toward the edge of a classroom table with a tray nearby.

    A class needs a way to keep crayons from rolling off the table. Which engineering design step should they do first: ask, imagine, plan, create, or improve? Explain your answer.

  2. 2
    A child plans a paper bridge for a toy car using paper, tape, and supports.

    Mia wants to build a paper bridge that can hold toy cars. Write one question she should ask before she starts building.

  3. 3
    A potted plant with simple self-watering ideas beside it.

    During the imagine step, students think of many possible solutions. List two ideas for helping a plant get water while the class is away for the weekend.

  4. 4
    A craft-stick and tape tower standing on a table.

    Look at this design goal: Build a tower using only 20 craft sticks and tape. The tower must stand for 10 seconds. Write one rule or limit for this challenge.

  5. 5
    A student draws a windmill design before building it.

    Sam drew a picture of his windmill design before building it. Which step of the engineering design process is he using? Explain how you know.

  6. 6

    Circle the action that belongs in the create step: A. Ask what the problem is. B. Build and test the design. C. Think of three ideas. D. Make the design better.

  7. 7
    A foil boat tips in water while holding coins, with a wider boat idea nearby.

    A student builds a boat from foil. It floats, but it tips over when pennies are added. What should the student do during the improve step?

  8. 8

    Put these engineering design steps in order: create, ask, improve, imagine, plan.

  9. 9
    A student tests a paper airplane with several flight paths and footprint markers.

    Lena tested her paper airplane three times. It flew 5 steps, then 6 steps, then 4 steps. What information did she collect, and how can it help her?

  10. 10
    Classroom problems including a messy desk, noisy line, and lost pencils.

    Choose one classroom problem, such as a messy desk, a noisy line, or lost pencils. Write a short plan for a solution using at least three engineering design steps.

LivePhysics™.com Science - Grade 2-3