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Builder's Lab / Week 01 / Monday
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Week 01 · Think Like an Engineer

Monday

Meet the Builder's Lab
// Ask, imagine, plan, create, test, improve
⏱ about 20 min

Monday: Meet the Builder's Lab

Rocket bursts into the lab with a tall stack of paper cups.

"Let's build it!" Rocket says. "The tallest cup tower ever!"

Raven smiles. "Wait. What do you notice about our problem?"

Nova hovers over the cups. "Would you like a hint? Engineers ask questions first."

What is an engineer?

An engineer solves problems by building things.

Engineers build bridges, boats, towers and toys.

This week, you are the engineer!

The six steps

Engineers use the same steps again and again.

  1. Ask: What is the problem? What is the goal?
  2. Imagine: Think of many ideas.
  3. Plan: Pick one idea and draw it.
  4. Create: Build it.
  5. Test: Try it and measure what happens.
  6. Improve: Change one thing to make it better.
Remember
The steps make a loop.
After Improve, you test again!
THE FIRST STEP
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which step comes first?
Rocket wants to build right away. Which step does Rocket skip?
PUT THE STEPS IN ORDER
  • Ask is already done.
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Second
3Third
4Fourth
5Fifth
WHAT DOES EACH STEP MEAN?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
You draw your idea on paper. Which step is that?
You try your build and measure it. Which step is that?

Engineers are all around you

Look around your home.

Someone designed your chair, your cup and your door.

Each one solves a problem.

A cup holds water. A door keeps the cold out.

NAME THE STEP
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Rocket thinks of three ways to stack cups. Which step is that?
Raven asks how tall the tower must be. Which step is that?
The tower falls, so Rocket changes one thing. Which step is that?
Raven stacks real cups on the table. Which step is that?
IdeaTrue or false?
Engineers only build very big things.?
Engineers can learn from a build that falls.?
The six steps make a loop.?
Plan comes before Ask.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEEngineers solve problems big and small, one step at a time.
Try it
Find one thing at home that solves a problem.
Point to it.
Tell a grown-up what problem it solves.
Safety first
Stay on the floor.
Do not climb to reach things.

Great start, engineer!

Tomorrow, we learn how to test fairly.