Lesson 65 of 84 · Engineering and Design
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🛠️ Engineer ShopDesigning Solutions to Problems (Part 3)
Engineering and Design.
🎯 Your mission
Set it up. Test it. Be amazed.
⚡ The twist
Every solution creates a new problem. That's good — that's the next project.
Mind = Blown
🚀 The Saturn V rocket burned 20 tons of fuel per second at liftoff.
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
- reflection
- refraction
- hypothesis
Materials Needed
- ruler
- markers
- popsicle sticks
- pennies
- plastic wrap
- cardboard
Safety First
- Keep small objects away from young children.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.
- Dispose of materials properly after the experiment.
Steps
Read about Engineering and Design and write down three key facts.
Create a solar oven from a pizza box lined with foil. Measure the temperature inside on a sunny day. Try melting chocolate or cheese.
Note any unexpected results and think about why they happened.
Share your findings with the class or a partner and discuss what you learned.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is a scientific model?
Where you see this in real life
Every bridge, building, and gadget you've ever used started with this.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Find something that's broken at home and try to figure out *why* it broke.
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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