A three-page engineering design challenge for 2nd grade science, tagged to NGSS K-2-ETS1-1. A dog named Buster is stuck across a rushing river, and students write down the problem an engineer needs to solve. They check the materials they would use from popsicle sticks, string, tape, and blocks, then draw and label a bridge. The last section asks how to fix a bridge that bends in the middle under a heavy toy.
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.”
Question 1 asks students to define Buster's problem, and question 2 asks them to work out what needs to change about a bridge that bends.
Students read about Buster and the fast river, then answer question 1 by stating the problem to solve.
Students check the boxes for the materials they would use: Popsicle Sticks, String, Tape, or Blocks.
Students draw their bridge and label the materials they plan to use.
A short note says engineers fix designs that break. Question 2 asks how to make a bridge stronger when it bends in the middle under a heavy toy.
Build it for real
Give groups the four materials from the Plan section and a gap between two desks. Test each bridge with the same heavy toy.
Problem first
Spend time on question 1 before anyone draws. Students who write only about a bridge have skipped the problem, which is Buster getting home.
After testing
Use question 2 after a real test. Students who saw their own bridge sag write stronger answers than those who only imagine it.
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