📋 NGSS Standards:
K-2-ETS1-1 — Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

🎯 Learning Objective

Students will identify a simple everyday problem and describe who needs help and what a successful solution should do.

💡 The Big Idea

Engineering begins with a problem. A problem is something that is hard to do or something we want to make better. Engineers look carefully, ask questions, and think about how to help people.

📦 Materials

🔬 Let's Get Started

Step 1 — Notice Problems (5 min)
Talk about everyday examples: carrying many books, keeping papers from blowing away, reaching something high, keeping lunch cold. Ask your child which ones sound like real problems.

Step 2 — Who Needs Help? (8 min)
Pick one simple problem together. Ask: "Who has this problem?" and "What is hard about it?" Help the child explain the situation in plain words.

Step 3 — What Would Help? (8 min)
Ask: "What should a helpful tool or object do?" Focus on the job of the solution, not the fancy details. For example: "It should help carry the books without dropping them."

Step 4 — Draw the Problem (8 min)
Have the child draw the problem and circle the part that needs to change or improve.

💬 Discussion Questions

🗣️ Question 1: "What makes something a problem?"

💬 A problem is something that is hard to do, something unsafe, or something we want to make better.

🗣️ Question 2: "Who are we trying to help?"

💬 Engineers help people. It is important to know who the user is.

🗣️ Question 3: "What should a good solution do?"

💬 It should help with the problem. It does not need to be perfect at first, but it should do its job. This is the design success rule—what the tool must do to be helpful.

👩‍🏫 Parent/Teacher Notes

Keep problems simple and familiar.
Do not rush into building. This lesson is about defining the problem clearly.
Strong student response: "The problem is ___ because ___. A solution should help by ___."

Little Lab Coats

🛠️ Student Worksheet — What Problem Can We Solve?

Name: __________________________ Date: ____________

1. What is one problem you want to solve?

2. Who has this problem?

3. What should a good solution do?

4. Draw the problem:

Draw here ✏️

🔑 PARENT/TEACHER ANSWER KEY — Detach before giving worksheet to students

Answers will vary. Accept any realistic everyday problem with a clear person/user and a sensible description of what a solution should do.

Sample response: "The problem is carrying too many books. The user is a student. A helpful solution should hold the books together and stop them from falling."

🛠️ What Problem Can We Solve? 🛠️