Engineering Design: Building Your Dream Space

Science Grades 5th Grade 4:27 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the engineering design process by designing a unique space. Learn about problem-solving, variables, and architecture through the lens of building a treehouse!

Video Resource

Architecture Adventure: Crash Course Kids #47.2

Crash Course Kids

Duration: 4:27
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Engineering Design Process
  • Architecture as a form of Engineering
  • Variables and Failure Points
  • Criteria and Constraints

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define a design problem and identify criteria for success.
  • Students will be able to brainstorm multiple solutions to a design problem.
  • Students will be able to identify variables and potential failure points in a design.
  • Students will be able to apply the engineering design process to a real-world scenario.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they have ever wanted their own private space. Discuss why having such a space might be important. Introduce the Crash Course Kids video 'Architecture Adventure' and explain that they will be learning about how engineering and architecture can help solve this problem.
  • Video Viewing (8 mins)
    Play the 'Architecture Adventure' video. Encourage students to take notes on the problem Sabrina is trying to solve, the solutions she considers, and the variables involved in building the treehouse.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Facilitate a class discussion about the video. Use the discussion questions below to guide the conversation. Emphasize the steps of the engineering design process that Sabrina uses.
  • Design Challenge: Your Dream Space (20 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Challenge them to design their own dream space. This could be a treehouse, a room in their house, or any other structure. They should define the problem, brainstorm solutions, consider variables and failure points, and sketch a design. They should also list materials they might use.
  • Presentation and Sharing (12 mins)
    Have each group present their design to the class. Encourage students to provide constructive feedback to one another. Focus on how well each design addresses the problem, considers variables, and meets its success criteria.

Interactive Exercises

  • Material Brainstorming
    Have students brainstorm a list of materials they could use to build different parts of their dream space. Discuss the properties of each material and why it might be suitable or unsuitable for a particular purpose.
  • Variable Identification
    For each design presented, have the class identify potential variables that could affect its success. For example, for a treehouse: the type of tree, the weight it can hold, the weather conditions, the materials used for soundproofing.

Discussion Questions

  • What problem was Sabrina trying to solve in the video?
  • What were some of the solutions she considered?
  • What is architecture, and how is it related to engineering?
  • What are variables, and why are they important in the design process?
  • What were some potential failure points for Sabrina's treehouse?
  • How did Sabrina test her designs?
  • What are the steps of the Engineering Design Process?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Creative thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Design thinking
  • Scientific Inquiry

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the first step in the engineering design process, according to the video?

Correct Answer: Defining the problem

Question 2:

What is architecture?

Correct Answer: The design of buildings

Question 3:

In the video, what kind of space did Sabrina want to create?

Correct Answer: A treehouse

Question 4:

What is a variable in the engineering design process?

Correct Answer: Something that can change and affect the outcome

Question 5:

What is a prototype?

Correct Answer: A first attempt or model of a design

Question 6:

Why is it important to identify potential failure points in a design?

Correct Answer: To prevent problems from happening

Question 7:

Which of these is an example of a constraint in building a treehouse?

Correct Answer: The size and strength of the tree

Question 8:

What did Sabrina use to help block out sound in her treehouse plan?

Correct Answer: Blankets

Question 9:

What should you do after building a prototype?

Correct Answer: Test it

Question 10:

What is the main goal of engineering?

Correct Answer: To solve problems

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The engineering design process starts with defining the ____.

Correct Answer: problem

Question 2:

Engineers who design buildings are called ____.

Correct Answer: architects

Question 3:

A first attempt or model of a design is called a ____.

Correct Answer: prototype

Question 4:

Things that can change and affect the outcome of a design are called ____.

Correct Answer: variables

Question 5:

Possible weak points in a design are called ____ points.

Correct Answer: failure

Question 6:

Limits on what you can do in a design are called ____.

Correct Answer: constraints

Question 7:

Sabrina wanted a space that was secluded and ____.

Correct Answer: quiet

Question 8:

To block out sound, Sabrina planned to use ____ in her treehouse.

Correct Answer: blankets

Question 9:

After testing a design, you should keep working with the ____ until you have a working design.

Correct Answer: variables

Question 10:

Figuring out how to solve a need or want is the job of ____.

Correct Answer: engineering

Educational Standards

3-5-ETS1-1:Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

Teaching Materials

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