Lesson 67 of 84 · Engineering and Design
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🛠️ Engineer ShopThe Scientific Method (Part 4)
Engineering and Design.
🎯 Your mission
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
⚡ The twist
Every solution creates a new problem. That's good — that's the next project.
Mind = Blown
🌉 The Eiffel Tower can grow 6 inches taller in summer because metal expands when hot.
Make a hypothesis first
Predict: which design will hold the most weight?
What You'll Learn
The scientific method is a systematic approach to investigating questions. It involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
Key Words
- hypothesis
- variable
- control
Materials Needed
- string
- cups
- aluminum foil
- ruler
- markers
Safety First
- Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.
- Do not look directly at the sun or bright lights.
Steps
Read about Engineering and Design and write down three key facts.
Design and build a bridge from newspaper and tape that can hold a textbook. Test it and redesign to make it stronger.
Observe what happens and describe it in detail.
Record your observations in your science journal with measurements and descriptions.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is a scientific model?
Where you see this in real life
Your phone, your bike, your shoes — all designed with this idea.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Build something — anything — out of stuff in your recycling bin.
For the dinner table
“What's something around the house you'd redesign — and how?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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