What Do Engineers Do?
What Do Engineers Do?
Owlo! Owlo! Look what I made at home this morning!
My goodness, Koko. What is that you are holding? It looks like something very special.
It is a bridge! I used popsicle sticks and glue. It took me so long, but it holds up my toy bear!
That is wonderful, Koko. You know, building something like that is exactly what engineers do.
Engineers? What is an engineer?
An engineer is someone who uses their brain to design and build things that help people.
Like my bridge? I helped my bear cross from one side of my desk to the other!
Exactly like your bridge. Engineers solve problems by thinking carefully and then building something.
So engineers are like problem solvers?
That is a perfect way to think about it, Koko. Let me show you something in our classroom.
Here on this table, I have pictures of things that engineers have built. What do you see?
I see a big bridge, and a tall building, and a car, and a playground slide!
Every single one of those was designed by an engineer. They looked at a problem and figured out a solution.
What was the problem with the playground slide?
Well, children needed a fun and safe way to come down from a high platform. So engineers designed a smooth, curved slide.
That is so cool. I never thought about who made the slide before.
Most people do not think about it, but engineers are behind so many things we use every day.
Like what else? Tell me more!
The cup you drink from, the shoes on your feet, the roads you walk on. Engineers helped design all of them.
Wow. Engineers must be really, really busy.
They are! And here is something interesting. There are different kinds of engineers too.
Wait, different kinds? Like different flavors of ice cream?
A little bit like that, yes. Some engineers build bridges and roads. Some build computers and phones.
What about the ones who build toys? I really hope there is an engineer for toys.
There absolutely is. Toy designers use engineering to make sure toys are fun and safe for children like you.
I want to meet that engineer. That sounds like the best job ever.
You know, Koko, when you built your popsicle stick bridge this morning, you were thinking like an engineer.
I was? But I am only seven!
Engineers start just like you. They wonder, they try, and sometimes things fall down, and they try again.
My first bridge did fall down. The glue was not dry yet and it went flat.
And what did you do?
I waited for the glue to dry and I tried again. And it worked!
That is exactly the engineer spirit, Koko. Try, learn, and try again.
Okay, so here is what I learned today. Engineers are problem solvers who design and build things to help people. They made bridges, buildings, cars, playgrounds, and even toys! There are different kinds of engineers for different kinds of things. And the best part is, when I built my popsicle stick bridge, I was already thinking like one. Maybe one day I will design a bridge big enough for a real bear. A friendly one, of course.
I have no doubt you will, Koko. And next time, maybe we can learn about how engineers plan their ideas before they start building.
Yes please! I want to know everything about that.
What Do Engineers Do?
Ages 4–5 · ~4 min
Join Koko and Owlo as they explore what engineers do, learning about creativity and problem-solving through fun activities!
What you'll learn
- Understand the role of engineers
- Learn about problem-solving skills
- Encourage creativity in building
- Explore basic engineering concepts
What Do Engineers Do?
Ages 4–5 · ~4 min
