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Does anyone know what an “engineer” is? (Expect answers like “people who fix problems” and “people who do math and science”).Įngineers are people who use math and science to help solve problems, invent new things and do all sorts of amazing things. Today, we are going to be learning about engineering. The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s). These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem's solutions to other people. This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:Īsk questions based on observations to find more information about the natural and/or designed world(s).Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback!Ī situation that people want to change or create can be approached as a problem to be solved through engineering.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Asking questions, making observations, and gathering information are helpful in thinking about problems.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Before beginning to design a solution, it is important to clearly understand the problem.ĭevelop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.ĭevelop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool.ĭesigns can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. Describe what “optimization” is and why it’s important in engineering.Īsk questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.Ĭlick to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation.Use their 5 senses to make relevant observations.Describe the effects on the properties of slime due to changing the component proportions.Like real engineers, students design a product, run tests, make observations and implement changes accordingly.Īfter this activity, students should be able to: Product optimization is one of the most important processes in engineering. Materials science engineers and polymer engineers use the engineering design process to design, develop and manufacture polymers, plastics, and even slime. This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards ( NGSS). They are introduced to product optimization, material science and polymer engineering. Students then make their updated slime by implementing the changes they want to make. Who can engineer the best slime? Beginning with a preset recipe, students make slime, observe it, and then decide on what and how they want to improve it, such as making it stickier or less sticky.