The Engineering Design Process (Part 4)

What You'll Learn

Engineers use the design process to solve problems: identify the problem, research, brainstorm solutions, build a prototype, test it, evaluate results, and improve the design.

Key Words

control
data
observation

Materials Needed

cardboard
tape
scissors
straws
paper clips

Safety First

Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.
Do not look directly at the sun or bright lights.
Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.

Step 2 — Do

Create a solar oven from a pizza box lined with foil. Measure the temperature inside on a sunny day. Try melting chocolate or cheese.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is the first step of the engineering design process?