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Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Engineering Design

Define the Problem Clearly

Before we can fix anything, we need to say what is wrong!

Explore the lesson 7 min read
A microscope with leaf and experiment flask for elementary science discovery
Inside this lesson 10 sections 5 questions 4 figures

SECTION 1

Why Do We Need to Define Problems?

People have always had problems to solve. Long ago, people needed to stay dry in the rain.

Before they could build a shelter, they had to say: "What is the problem?" The problem was getting wet!

Let's look at how people learned to name their problems first.

Long Ago • Staying Warm

People said: "We are cold!" They named the problem. Then they made warm clothes from animal fur.

Long Ago • Carrying Water

People said: "We cannot carry water!" They named the problem. Then they made pots and bowls.

Not So Long Ago • Dark at Night

People said: "We cannot see at night!" They named the problem. Then they invented light bulbs.

Today • You Are an Engineer!

Now you can learn to name problems too. That is the first step to fixing things!

Every time, people first said what was wrong. Naming the problem is always the first step.

SECTION 2

What Does It Mean to Define a Problem?

To define a problem means to say clearly what is wrong. That means you use words to tell what needs to be fixed.

An engineer is a person who solves problems. That means they figure out how to make things better. You can be an engineer too!

1

Notice Something Is Wrong

Look around you. What is not working? Use your eyes, ears, and hands to observe.
2

Say What Is Wrong

Use your words! Tell a friend or teacher what the problem is. Be clear and simple.
3

Say What You Need

What do you want to happen? Say what it should be like when the problem is fixed.
4

Think About Who It Helps

Who has this problem? Is it you? Your class? Your pet? Knowing who helps you solve it.
✦

KEY TAKEAWAY

Defining a problem is like telling the doctor where it hurts. If you say "my tummy hurts," the doctor knows where to look. If you just say "I don't feel good," it is harder to help. The clearer you say the problem, the easier it is to fix!

SECTION 3

See How It Works!

Let's look at a picture! This shows the steps to define a problem clearly.

Steps to Define a Problem👀1. LookWhat do you see?🤔2. ThinkWhat is wrong?🗣️3. Say ItUse your words!⭐4. Problem Defined!Now you can find a solution.Example👀 I see water on the floor.🤔 The cup tips over too easily.🗣️ "The cup falls and spills water."⭐ Problem: The cup tips over!
This diagram shows the steps: Look, Think, Say It, and then your problem is defined! The green box shows an example with a tipping cup.

First you look around you. Then you think about what is wrong. Then you say it with your words. Now the problem is defined!

SECTION 4

How Does Defining a Problem Help?

When you say the problem clearly, something special happens. Everyone can help! Your teacher, your friends, and even you know exactly what to work on.

Anchoring Phenomenon: The Broken Crayon Box

Imagine your crayon box keeps opening and the crayons fall out. That is something you can see. That is an observation. That means something you notice with your senses.

You could say: "The crayon box lid does not stay shut." That is a clear problem! Now we know what to fix.

But what if you just said: "Crayons are bad." That is not clear! Nobody knows what to fix. Being specific helps everyone.

💡

Science Practice: Asking Questions

Scientists and engineers ask questions to understand problems. You can ask: "What is happening?" "Why is this not working?" and "Who needs help?" These are great questions!

When engineers define a problem, they also think about what people need. That means they think about who has the problem and what would make them happy.

SECTION 5

Clear Problems vs. Unclear Problems

Some ways to say a problem are clear. Some are unclear. Let's look at examples!

Clear vs. Unclear Problems❌ Unclear✅ Clear"This is bad."What is bad? We don't know!"The door won't close."Now we know what to fix!"I don't like it."Like what? We can't help!"The blocks keep falling down."Great! Let's fix the blocks!"It's broken."What is broken? How?"The wheel fell off the wagon."Perfect! We see the problem!💡 Remember!Say WHAT is wrong and WHERE it is.
The left column shows unclear problems. The right column shows clear problems. See how the clear side tells us exactly what is wrong?

See the difference? When you say what is wrong and where it is, everyone can help you fix it!

SECTION 6

Let's Try It Together!

Let's practice with a story. You are at the playground. The slide is too hot to go down. Ouch! Let's define this problem.

The Hot Slide Problem

  1. 1

    Step 1 — Look and Observe

    You touch the slide. It feels very hot! The sun has been shining on it all day. You use your senses to notice what is happening.
    Observation: The slide is very hot.
  2. 2

    Step 2 — Think About What Is Wrong

    The slide is too hot to sit on. It could hurt your skin. That is not safe for kids.
    What is wrong: Kids cannot use the slide safely.
  3. 3

    Step 3 — Think About Who Needs Help

    All the kids at the playground want to use the slide. They all need help!
    Who needs help: The kids at the playground.
  4. 4

    Step 4 — Say the Problem Clearly

    Put it all together! Use your words to say the problem.
    Problem: The metal slide gets too hot in the sun, so kids cannot slide safely.

Great job! Now an engineer could think of ways to fix this. Maybe they could put shade over the slide, or make it from a material that does not get so hot.

SECTION 7

Helpful Tips and Common Mistakes

Defining a problem can be tricky! Here are some tips to help you do it well.

Helpful Tip ✅Common Mistake ❌
Say exactly what is wrong.Just saying "I don't like it."
Say who has the problem.Forgetting who needs help.
Focus on the problem, not the answer.Jumping to an answer too fast.
Use your observations.Guessing without looking.

Tips for defining a problem vs. common mistakes

💡

REMEMBER THIS

Don't jump to the answer! If your shoe is untied, the problem is NOT "I need new shoes." The problem is: "My shoe keeps coming untied." First say the problem. Then think of answers.

SECTION 8

After You Define the Problem

Defining the problem is just the first step! Engineers do more after that. Here is what happens next.

StepWhat You DoYou Are Learning
1. DefineSay what the problem is.This lesson! ⭐
2. ImagineThink of ideas to fix it.Coming next!
3. PlanPick the best idea and plan.Coming next!
4. Build & TestMake it and try it out!Coming next!

The Engineering Design Process

See? You are learning the very first step! It is the most important one. If you do not define the problem well, the other steps will be harder.

ℹ

Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect

When something happens, there is a reason. The slide gets hot because the sun shines on it. Thinking about why something happens helps you define the problem better!

SECTION 9

Practice Time!

Here is a new story! Read it and answer the questions. A classroom has a pet hamster. The hamster's water bottle keeps dripping on the floor. There is a puddle every morning!

Question 1: CONCEPTUAL

What does it mean to "define a problem"? A) Jump to an answer right away B) Say clearly what is wrong C) Ignore what is happening
Show answer
The answer is B. To define a problem means to say clearly what is wrong. You use your words to tell what needs to be fixed. You do not jump to an answer or ignore the problem.

Question 2: BASIC CALCULATION

Which sentence best defines the hamster water bottle problem? A) "The hamster is bad." B) "The water bottle drips and makes a puddle." C) "We need a new hamster."
Show answer
The answer is B. "The water bottle drips and makes a puddle" tells us exactly what is wrong. Choice A is unclear because the hamster is not bad. Choice C jumps to an answer instead of saying the problem.

Question 3: INTERMEDIATE

What should you do FIRST when you see the puddle on the floor? A) Build something new right away B) Observe what is happening and ask questions C) Tell the hamster to stop
Show answer
The answer is B. The first step is to observe and ask questions. Look at the water bottle. Where is the water coming from? Why is it dripping? You need to understand the problem before you try to fix it.

Question 4: APPLIED

The teacher says the puddle is making the floor slippery. Who is affected by this problem? Pick the best answer. A) Only the hamster B) Only the teacher C) Everyone in the classroom and the hamster
Show answer
The answer is C. The slippery floor could make anyone in the classroom slip. The hamster also needs water, so it is affected too. When we define a problem, we think about everyone who is affected.

Question 5: CRITICAL THINKING

Think and share! Look around your classroom or home right now. Can you find one problem? Use your words to define it clearly. Say what is wrong, where it is, and who it affects. Share your answer with a friend or teacher.
Show answer
Answers will be different for everyone! A good answer says what is wrong, where the problem is, and who has the problem. For example: "The bookshelf is too tall for me to reach the top books. This is a problem for short kids in our class." Great engineers observe the world around them and notice problems to solve!

SUMMARY

What Did We Learn?

Summary

Today you learned that defining a problem means saying clearly what is wrong. You use your observations to look and notice. You ask questions like "What is wrong?" and "Who needs help?" Then you say the problem with clear words.

Remember: engineers always start by defining the problem. A clear problem tells what is wrong, where it is, and who it affects. A vague problem is hard to fix. You are learning to think like an engineer. Great job! 🌟

Varsity Tutors • Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Define the problem clearly.