Embedded Files
What can we learn from animals and plants to help us solve our human problems?
What can we learn from animals and plants to help us solve our human problems?
Click the Ask Nature button to get inspired by nature's solutions. Explore the AskNature.org website to see how plants, animals and Earth's natural processes are solving the same problems we struggle with in our urban centers. What ideas from nature can you use for your design project?
How do city planners and engineers solve human problems?
How do city planners and engineers solve human problems?
City Planners and Engineers use the engineering design process to solve human problems. It is simple process that works in a cycle. That means engineers repeat parts of the process over and over again until they reach a solution that meets their needs. We use the engineering design process to help understand the problem, design solutions, test the solutions and then redesign to make them better. Successful engineers never work alone, they share ideas and use the ideas, suggestions and sometimes even complaints of other people to make their solution work. Watch the videos below to learn about engineers and the engineering design process, then find some friends and family members to be part of your engineering process team as you design sustainable solutions for our city problems.
What solution can you design for a problem in a city or town?
What solution can you design for a problem in a city or town?
Get piece of paper and fold it into 4 sections so it makes a booklet. What is the sustainability problem you shared in our STEM Camp FlipGrid? You are going to design a solution to that problem with this Engineering Design booklet.
STEP ONE: On the front page, ask yourself the 3 important engineer questions to define your problem:
What is the problem?
Who has the problem?
Why is it important to solve?
Write or draw pictures to define your problem.
STEP TWO: Imagine all of the possible solutions you can think of. Write them on the next page.
Write down all of the ideas you can think of - even the really silly ones! Sometimes silly ideas help us find the best solutions.
Review your nature observation journal and everything you learned about how nature solves problems. Does that help you think of new ideas?
If you are really stuck, set a timer for 3 minutes and get your engineering process team together. Tell them your problem and ask the to call out all of the solutions they can think of in 3 minutes. Ask someone to help you write down the ideas or use a phone to record them so that you can think about them later.
STEP THREE: Make your plan. Think about all of the ideas from your team and come up with a plan to solve your problem. What will you design?
Sketch you solution. Make a quick pencil sketch of your ideas on the 3rd page.
Explain your solution to someone on your design team. Do they have any suggestions to make it better? Use their ideas to help you improve your plan.
Label your plan. What materials will you use for each part? How will the parts move? What will they do? Add labels to help you figure out the details.
Walk away. Put your plan away and do something else for a while. Come back to look at it on another day and explain it to someone else on your design team. Do you have any more ideas?
STEP FOUR: Get ready to create.
Make a list of the tools and materials you will need to create a prototype of your solution.
Gather your materials. Ask your design team for help finding everything you need. Remember to ask before your borrow and never cut, paint or glue without permission!
Get help using tools and equipment. Always build with others. Share your tools, materials and ideas. Accept the help and ideas of others.
BUILD YOUR DESIGN!
STEP FIVE: Share and improve.
Show your prototype to your design team. Show them your design booklet and use your sketches to tell them what each part of your prototype does.
Open your booklet to the blank inside page. Use this page to write down any questions or new ideas you have from sharing and explaining your project. How can you make it better?
Redesign and improve. Think carefully about the suggestions from your design team and others. What things do you want to change?
BONUS STEP: Communicate!
Show us what you've created! When you are satisfied with your design (or when you are stuck and need new suggestions), go to our STEM Camp FlipGrid: Sustainability Design Project grid. Post a tour and explanation of your project so that other engineers in our virtual camp can learn from your ideas!
Page updated
Report abuse