What is an Engineer?

Mrs. Apelgren launched our Engineering program today. She got us thinking about what engineers do and led us through the engineering design process. Check out this video that defines engineering and describes how engineers impact our daily lives: 

To begin understanding the Engineering Design Cycle, students were challenged to build a structure that could stand on its own using paper towel rolls and toothpicks. The engineering design cycle includes: 

Ask: 

-What is the problem?
-What information do I need to solve the problem?
-What are the constraints and criteria (rules)?
-What information do I have already?
-What materials do I have or could I get?

Explore: 

-Learn new skills
-Play with materials
-Brainstorm ideas
-Decide which idea is best-sketch your idea

Model: 

-Build a model-Make changes as needed

Evaluate: 

-How can I test my model to see if it solved the problem?

-What are the strengths and weaknesses of my design?

Explain: 

-Can I demonstrate how my model solves or doesn’t solve the problem? 

 -Can I communicate ways in which my model could be improved?

We will work to help students get better and better at each stage of the design cycle.

Here are some pictures from our work today: 

Last, Mrs. Apelgren inspired us with a Kid President Video about being an inventor. He visited the GE plant in Durham, NC.

I'm looking forward to what we have in store in our Engineering focus this year! I know your child is too!