lenny

Engineering Eureka

user image

Lesson Plan

Engineering Design Lesson Plan

Students will learn and apply the five steps of the engineering design process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve) by collaboratively designing, building, testing, and refining a simple tower.

This lesson builds critical problem-solving and creative thinking skills by guiding students through a hands-on engineering challenge aligned to real-world design work.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on group challenge with guided reflection.

Materials

Model Building Materials (e.g., straws and marshmallows), Paper and Pencils, Timer or Stopwatch, and Engineering Design Process Handout

Prep

Review Lesson Materials

10 minutes

  • Gather all physical supplies: straws, marshmallows, tape (optional).
  • Print and review the Engineering Design Process Handout.
  • Ensure timer/stopwatch is ready and accessible.
  • Familiarize yourself with each process step on the handout.

Step 1

Introduction to Engineering Process

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Engineering Design Process Handout.
  • Briefly explain the five steps: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve.
  • Highlight real-world examples where engineers use these steps.
  • Invite quick clarifying questions.

Step 2

Group Formation and Challenge Brief

3 minutes

  • Divide students into teams of 3–4.
  • Explain the challenge: build the tallest free-standing tower using only the provided materials.
  • Emphasize documenting ideas on paper and following the process steps.

Step 3

Design Phase

5 minutes

  • Teams review the ‘Ask,’ ‘Imagine,’ and ‘Plan’ sections of the handout.
  • Sketch their tower design and list required materials.
  • Assign roles: designer, builder, materials manager, timer.

Step 4

Build and Test

12 minutes

  • Teams build their towers using straws and marshmallows.
  • Use the timer to track progress.
  • At minute 8, test each tower’s stability and note successes and failures.

Step 5

Improve and Share

5 minutes

  • Teams discuss possible improvements (Improve step) and make quick adjustments.
  • Measure final tower height.
  • Each team presents their process, challenges, and final design in one minute.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Engineering Design Process

Exploring the five steps to solve problems like real engineers!

Welcome students and introduce the day’s focus. Explain that they will learn how engineers solve problems by following five steps. Connect to real-world engineering examples.

Today's Agenda

  1. Introduction to the Engineering Design Process
  2. Hands-on Tower Building Challenge
  3. Reflection and Share-Out

Briefly walk through today’s agenda so students know what to expect and manage their time.

Step 1: Ask

• Identify the problem you want to solve
• Ask questions to understand needs and constraints
• Define criteria for success

Explain that every project begins by asking questions. Model by asking a simple classroom example (e.g., how to keep a pencil standing).

Step 2: Imagine

• Brainstorm multiple possible solutions
• Think creatively and openly with your team
• Record every idea without judgment

Encourage all ideas, even unusual ones. Share a quick example of a wild brainstorm that led to a good design.

Step 3: Plan

• Select the most promising idea
• Draw labeled sketches of your design
• List needed materials and assign team roles

Show a sketch or simple diagram as an example. Emphasize clarity in drawings and lists.

Step 4: Create

• Build your prototype following your plan
• Use provided materials (straws, marshmallows)
• Communicate and collaborate as you work

Remind students that prototyping often reveals new issues to fix. Encourage teamwork and safe building.

Step 5: Improve

• Test your prototype for stability and height
• Note successes and problems
• Modify your design to make it better

Describe a quick test-and-tweak cycle. Reinforce that improvements lead to stronger designs.

Tower Challenge Instructions

Goal: Build the tallest free-standing tower in 12 minutes using only straws and marshmallows.

  1. Form teams of 3–4 students
  2. Follow the Engineering Design Process Handout
  3. Sketch and document each step
  4. Test stability at the 8-minute mark

Go over rules clearly: time limits, materials allowed, documentation required. Answer any questions.

Reflection & Share-Out

  1. What part of the process worked well?
  2. What challenges did you face?
  3. How would you improve your tower next time?

Prepare a 1-minute team presentation.

Lead a class discussion using these prompts. Encourage honest feedback and celebrate creative solutions.

lenny

Worksheet

Engineering Design Process Handout

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________

Use this handout to guide your team through each step of the engineering design process.

Step 1: Ask

  1. What problem are you trying to solve?
    ____________________________________________________________________


  2. Who will use or benefit from your solution?
    ____________________________________________________________________


  3. What constraints or requirements do you need to consider?
    ____________________________________________________________________


Step 2: Imagine

  1. Brainstorm at least three different ideas for solving the problem:
    a. _________________________________________________________________


    b. _________________________________________________________________


    c. _________________________________________________________________

  2. What other creative ideas do you have?
    ____________________________________________________________________


Step 3: Plan

  1. Which idea did your team choose? Why?
    ____________________________________________________________________



  2. List the materials you will need:
    ____________________________________________________________________


  3. Sketch your design below (label parts and measurements):











Step 4: Create

  1. Describe the steps your team will follow to build the prototype:
    ____________________________________________________________________





  2. As you build, note any unexpected challenges or successes:
    ____________________________________________________________________



Step 5: Improve

  1. How will you test your prototype’s stability and height?
    ____________________________________________________________________


  2. What improvements will your team make based on test results?
    ____________________________________________________________________



Team Reflection

  1. What part of the engineering process worked best for your team?
    ____________________________________________________________________



  2. If you repeated this challenge, what would you do differently?
    ____________________________________________________________________



Good luck! Remember to collaborate, communicate, and have fun building your tower.

lenny
lenny
Engineering Eureka • Lenny Learning