Grades 2–4
The Engineering Design Process
Number the five steps engineers use, from ask to improve, then name a problem an engineer could solve.
Science worksheet · Engineering design
Paper Marble Run
Build a marble run from paper and tape that makes the marble roll as slowly as it can, then improve it.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Topic
- Engineering design
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Engineering design, Building and testing, Teamwork
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- The challenge: build a marble run on a wall or a cardboard box that makes a marble take as long as it can to reach the bottom. You need: paper, cardboard tubes, tape, scissors, a marble and a stopwatch.
- Plan: draw your marble run. Add turns, ramps and drops.
- What slowed the marble down the most?
Teacher tip
Slowest wins: it flips the usual race and makes kids think about friction.
How to use it
- Give each team the same materials and a time limit.
- Ask teams to sketch a plan before they touch the materials.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Teams where one child builds and the rest watch. Give every child a job.
Talk about it
- What would you change if you built it again?
- Where have you seen this outside of school?
Take it further
Hold a gallery walk where teams explain their design.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More engineering design worksheets
Grades 3–5
Egg Drop Challenge
Plan, build and test a package that keeps an egg from breaking when it falls.
Grades 3–5
Craft Stick Catapult
Build a catapult from craft sticks and rubber bands, launch a pom-pom and measure how far it flies.
Grades 3–5
Kinds of Engineers
Match six kinds of engineers to what they design, then tell which one you would like to be.
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