How Engineers Test Solutions with Variables and Trials

Crash Course Kids

This educational video uses a bowling analogy to explain the engineering design process, specifically focusing on how to test solutions through trials. The host, Sabrina, breaks down complex concepts like variables, constants, criteria, and outcomes into manageable parts by demonstrating how an engineer would approach the problem of getting a strike at a bowling alley. The video explores key scientific inquiry themes including the importance of isolating variables to ensure fair testing, defining success criteria before testing begins, and the necessity of keeping other factors constant. It demonstrates the iterative nature of testing, showing how engineers perform multiple trials, analyze the results against their established criteria, and adjust their approach based on data. For educators, this resource provides a clear, visual model for teaching the experimental method and engineering design. It is particularly useful for introducing students to the vocabulary of experimentation (isolate, constant, trial) and showing why changing only one variable at a time is crucial for scientific validity. The bowling metaphor makes abstract procedural steps concrete and relatable for elementary and middle school students.