Little Lab Coats
Reference Card — Define the Storm Shelter Problem
Grade 4 · ETS1
A strong engineering challenge begins with a precise problem statement, not random building.
Key vocabulary
problemcriteriaconstraintsshelterprototypeuser
What to notice
- Students will define a design problem for a small storm shelter that protects a paper figure from wind and rain.
- A strong engineering challenge begins with a precise problem statement, not random building.
- Use evidence to justify each decision.
Materials snapshot
- paper figure or small toy
- pencil
- printed worksheet
- optional sample materials basket
Talk-about prompts
- What problem does the design solve?
- What evidence supports the design?
- Which change improved version 2 most?
Why it matters
These cards keep the engineering process focused on evidence and purposeful redesign.
Try this next: Use the card to compare version 1 and version 2 and decide which evidence matters most.