The first step of the Design Process is ASK. We want to ask ourselves, “What is the problem we are trying to solve?”

After reading or listening to the story, you might be wondering how you can design a house. We want to gather all of our inspiration and questions and put it together to from one big guiding question. This guiding question, our Ask, will guide us as we design. Our ultimate design (or prototype) needs to be able to answer our Ask.

How can we design a house that will stand up to the Big Bad Coyote?

In your engineering notebook, write down the ASK.

The second step of the Design Process is IMAGINE.

When you think of a house, what is its function?

Function is what something does or is intended to do.

For example, the function of a marker is to write! The function of tape is to stick things together! The function of the house that you will design is to cover the javelinas and to be strong and protect the javelinas from the huffs and puffs!

What do you think the structure of the house should be?

Structure is the way something is built, including shape, size, and the way the different parts work together.

The structure of the house will depend on the design and the materials we use. Think of all the different materials you could use to build your house; there are a lot of possibilities! The javelinas had to use materials that they found in their environment. Let's do the same! Let's use materials that we can find outside - say your backyard, front yard, or wherever! You can use some other materials to help, like glue, tape, and string.

In your engineering notebook:

1. Make a list of the materials you think you might use.
2. Sketch some of your ideas for your house. It's best to have multiple ideas to refer back to. Sometimes you can even mesh ideas together!

Pick an idea that you want to start with. You want to make a diagram, or detailed sketch, for your plan. The idea behind your PLAN is that someone else could look at your PLAN and build exactly what you had in mind!

In your engineering notebook:

1. Draw your house.
2. Label the materials you'll use.
3. Label the parts of the house (walls, roof, doors, etc.).

Now it's time to get creative and messy!

1. Gather the materials you need.
2. Find a space where you can work. It might be best to work outside since you'll be getting messy.
3. Build your first prototype.

After you've completed your first prototype, it's important to test it to see if it answers our ASK. Can your house hold up to the huffs and puffs of the Big Bad Coyote? You can test your design (with the help of an adult) by using a hair dryer, leaf blower, or having your siblings blow on it.

In your engineering notebook:

1. What were the results of your test?
2. What parts of your design worked?
3. What parts of your design did not work?
4. What would you do to IMPROVE your design?
5. Sketch a new PLAN for your new design, then build it again!

MAKING THINGS WORK & MAKING THINGS WORK BETTER!

The last step of the Design Process is SHARE. If people didn't share their ideas and success with the world, society would be so different than it is today! By sharing your work and your results, you are helping the world.

Engineering the Future would love to see your designs. With the help and permission of a parent or legal guardian, you can add pictures or videos of your design and of you testing your design and tag us on Instagram (TM) with the tag @apsetf.

You can also share your work with your family, your friends, or maybe in a virtual classroom!