How Engineers Solve Problems with the Design Process

SciShow Kids

This engaging educational video introduces young students to the concept of engineering and the engineering design process. Hosted by Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks at 'The Fort,' the video breaks down the complex idea of engineering into a simple, relatable definition: engineers are people who design solutions to problems. Using clear visuals and energetic narration, it transforms the abstract title of 'engineer' into an actionable mindset that students can adopt. The content focuses heavily on the four-step Engineering Design Process: Ask, Imagine, Create, and Improve. It illustrates these steps first through a theoretical example of building a bridge to connect two cities, and then through a practical, humorous real-time problem—Jessi has an itchy back she can't reach. This shift from the macro (civil engineering) to the micro (personal problem solving) helps students understand that engineering principles apply to problems of all sizes. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundational text for STEAM curriculums. It provides a shared vocabulary ('solution,' 'model,' 'improve') and a structured framework for tackling design challenges. It effectively sets the stage for hands-on classroom activities by ending with a 'cliffhanger' that invites students to participate in the 'Imagine' phase of designing a back scratcher, making it a perfect launchpad for a maker-space project or design challenge.