Why Do People Make New Things?
People have always had problems they needed to fix. A problem is something that makes life hard or tricky. Long ago, people looked around and thought of ways to make things better. They made new tools and objects to help. That is what engineers do!
Every new tool started with someone noticing a problem. The first step is always the same: What is the problem? That is what we will learn about today!
What Does It Mean to Define a Problem?
Before you can fix something, you need to say clearly what is wrong. This is called defining a problem. When you define a problem, you tell what is hard, who it is hard for, and why it needs to be fixed. Let's learn the big ideas!
Notice the Problem
Say It Clearly
Think About Who It Helps
Imagine a Solution
Seeing How Problems Lead to Solutions
Let's look at a picture that shows how defining a problem works. First you notice something is wrong. Then you say what the problem is. Then you think of a new or better tool to fix it!
Look at the three boxes at the top. They go in order like a path. First you notice the problem. Then you use your words to say what is hard. Last, you think about what new or better object could help. The yellow box at the bottom shows what this looks like with a real example!
How Do We Define a Problem?
Defining a problem is not about math. It is about asking the right questions! Here are four questions that help you define any simple problem.
The Four Big Questions
- What is not working? — Think about what is hard or broken.
- Who has this problem? — Is it kids, grown-ups, or animals?
- When does it happen? — Does it happen at school, at home, or outside?
- What kind of tool could help? — Could a new thing or a better thing fix it?
When you answer these questions, you are defining the problem. You are doing what real engineers do! Engineers always start by asking questions before they build anything.
Different Kinds of Simple Problems
Problems come in different types. Some problems need a brand-new tool. Other problems need a tool that already exists but could be made better. Let's look at both kinds!
Both kinds of problems are important. Sometimes the best idea is to invent something totally new. Other times, you just need to make something that already exists work a little bit better. Engineers do both!
| Type | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| New Object | Nothing like this exists yet | Inventing the first umbrella |
| Improved Object | Something exists but doesn't work well enough | Making an umbrella that folds small |
Let's Define a Problem Together!
Let's practice defining a problem step by step. Imagine you are at lunch and your sandwich keeps falling apart when you try to eat it. Lettuce, tomato, and cheese slide out everywhere! Let's define this problem like an engineer.
Great job! You just defined a problem like a real engineer. You noticed the problem, said it clearly, thought about who has it, and came up with an idea for a new tool.
What Makes a Good Problem to Solve?
Not all problems are the same. Some problems are good for kids to work on. Other problems are too big or too tricky. Let's compare!
| Good Problems for Kids | Too-Big Problems |
|---|---|
| Simple and easy to understand | Very complicated with many parts |
| Happens in your daily life | Happens far away or in the future |
| Could be fixed with a small tool or object | Needs a giant machine or lots of money |
| You can explain it in one sentence | Hard to explain even in a paragraph |
From Defining to Designing!
Defining a problem is just the first part of engineering design. After you define the problem, there are more exciting steps! Engineers go on to design, build, and test their ideas. But it all starts with a well-defined problem.
| What We Learned Today | What Comes Next |
|---|---|
| Notice a problem | Brainstorm many ideas to fix it |
| Say the problem clearly | Pick the best idea |
| Think about who needs help | Build a model or drawing |
| Imagine a new or better tool | Test it and make it even better |
As you grow as a young engineer, you will learn to draw your ideas, build them with real materials, and test if they work. But remember: the best engineers always start by defining the problem first!
Practice Problems
Now it is your turn! Try these five problems. Think about what the problem is, who has it, and what tool or object could help.
Let's Review What We Learned!
Today we learned that defining a problem means saying clearly what is wrong or hard. We use four big questions to help us: What is not working? Who has the problem? When does it happen? And what new or improved tool could help? We saw that problems can need a brand-new tool or a tool that is made better.
We practiced defining problems like real engineers. We learned that good problems for us to work on are simple, happen in everyday life, and can be fixed with a small object or tool. Remember: the first step to solving any problem is to define it clearly. You are already thinking like an engineer!