Science 3: Testing Materials & Designs

So, how do engineers even figure out what problem needs to get fixed? And what's the difference between identifying a problem and just complaining about something? In this episode, Sabrina talks about how we can all be better engineers by understanding what problems we want or need to solve.

In our last episode, Sabrina talked about how engineers define the problems they need to solve. But how do you know when you've actually solved a problem? What do you expect to happen that would equal success?

It's time to design some trials. Sometimes engineers need to figure out how to test ideas. In order to do that, we need to design trials to find failure points and see how things are going to work in the real world (with gravity, wind, and human error all factored in).

So, there might not be just one solution to a problem. I know that may sound weird, but it's true. So, how do you come up with multiple solutions?

But, plants have a lot more going on than meets the eye. How do we know that? Investigation and experimentation!

We all know that failure is bad... but is it? Actually, engineers need things to fail so they can understand how to make things better. In this episode, Sabrina chats to us about failure points and how they can help us find better solutions to problems.

More trials! This time we need to figure out what to do if you don't have all the things you'd like to have to perform your tests. How do you isolate a variable across multiple tests? A good engineer will work to find a way to make it happen. In this episode, Sabrina shows us some ways to do just that.

We've talked about variables and solving problems. But how do we keep working on a problem if the first solution doesn't fix it? Trials! In this episode, Sabrina shows us how to use Trials to figure out what the problems are with our solutions.

This video uses puppies to explain outcomes and predictions. See how you can make a chart to keep track.

Check out this catchy song about measuring data and collecting accurate information.

Scientists use the scientific method to help them make observations, develop hypotheses, design experiments, and draw conclusions.

Scientific theories have to be testable so that scientists can use the scientific method to see if they are correct.

Teach the scientific method to all ages. Students will complete 5 stations which explore water behaviour in Minecraft. At each station (alone or in groups) they will form a hypothesis for what they think will happen. They will test that hypothesis. Then modify the hypothesis before committing to a final statement they believe to be true.

Resources to use with your students as you explore materials and designs. If you click the links, there is a sign-in prompt -- but you can bypass the sign-in by clicking the image instead and you will be able to access all the Google slides associated with that image

A lesson plan and teaching resources for teaching students how to test materials. Students will develop an understanding that objects and materials can be tested to learn about their properties. Students will help plan and conduct different tests on the materials. Students will be able to explain that when testing materials to learn about their properties, all the materials need to be tested in the same way.

Students construct simple structures based on the light-but-strong design of the geodesic dome using gumdrops and toothpicks. These gumdrop domes help demonstrate that some shapes, like triangles, are inherently strong while others, like squares, are comparatively weak.