How Engineers Design Effective Trials

Crash Course Kids

This video from Crash Course Kids guides students through the engineering design process, specifically focusing on how to plan and conduct effective trials. Using a relatable carnival ring toss analogy, the host explains how engineers don't just guess—they methodically test solutions to ensure they meet specific outcomes. The video reviews foundational concepts from previous episodes, such as defining criteria and identifying variables, before combining them into a comprehensive testing strategy. The content breaks down the trial design process into four clear steps: deciding on criteria for success, identifying all possible variables, isolating a single variable to test, and identifying failure points. Through animated demonstrations, viewers see what happens when variables are controlled versus when they are not, and how failure points help engineers understand the limits of their solutions. For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for demystifying the scientific method and experimental design. It provides a concrete, step-by-step framework that students can apply to their own hands-on science experiments. The clear distinction between ‘controlling variables’ and ‘isolating variables’ is particularly useful for helping students understand fair testing protocols in upper elementary science projects.