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  • [♪ INTRO]

  • Oh, hi! I'm so glad you're here.

  • See, Squeaks has a problem...  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • ...he doesn't know how he  wants to spend the afternoon!

  • I, I mean, there are so many great choices!  

  • He could play outside... or  have a yummy and healthy snack

  • or drawor read a book. He just can't decide!  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • And, well, he needs some help choosing.

  • Because he really wants to get out  there and enjoy his afternoon!  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • I agree, Squeaks. This is a problem.

  • But no worries, I know how  to think like an engineer!

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • Ah, yesthe people who drive  trains are called engineers.

  • But there are other kinds of engineers, too!

  • These kinds of engineers identify problems

  • and then figure out ways to solve them!

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • What kind of problems?

  • WellAlmost any kind!

  • The sky's the limit!

  • Actually, for some engineers,  

  • the sky is a good place to start!

  • What kind of problems could we solve that

  • have to do with flying in the sky, or in space?

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • Maybe we could try to make  airplanes that are safer for people,

  • or rockets that go faster!

  • Engineers called aerospace engineers tackle  problems that have to do with flight.

  • Like how to make planes fly more quietly.

  • And every person who has been to outer space

  • has had help from an aerospace engineer!  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • I agree, that sounds like a fun job!

  • Other engineers work to solve  problems here on the ground.

  • Remember that really cool bridge we  saw when we went to see the redwoods?

  • That was thanks to the work of civil engineers.  

  • These engineers solve problems  like how to get across a river,

  • or through a tall mountain.

  • That means they design tunnels, bridges,

  • and buildings of all kindsincluding super tall skyscrapers.

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • Another example? Sure!

  • How do you think this video  gets to the people at home?

  • It's possible because of people that  solve computer-related problems.

  • Computer and software engineers write programs,

  • which are directions computers follow  as they do things, like play videos.

  • Those are the engineers who made it possible

  • for Squeaks and I to be able to  talk to you through the internet.

  • And these are only a few things that engineers do!

  • Environmental engineers solve  problems related to the environment,

  • like how to have cleaner water and air.

  • Electrical engineers make sure we have  electricity to keep the lights on in

  • our houses and cities, and design parts that make

  • our cool electrical toys and gadgets run.

  • I could really go on and on…!

  • But I won't, because I think it's time to solve

  • your problem about what to do this afternoon!

  • Do you want to try thinking like an engineer?  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • Great! Let's get to it!

  • Now, engineers don't just guess  at the answers to problems.

  • They approach them with a sort of plan:  a couple of basic steps to guide them.

  • The first is to define the problem.

  • When we define a problem, we do more than  

  • just say something's not going right.

  • We need to say exactly what it is that we want to solve.

  • Squeaks doesn't know how to choose an activity this afternoon.

  • Right, Squeaks?

  • The next step is to come up with ways  to solve the problem, or... solutions.

  • Because there's usually more  than one solution to a problem,

  • engineers try to come up  with many different ideas.

  • Squeaks and I are each going to  come up with a different solution

  • and compare our ideas to see if one  might work better than the other.

  • I'm going to draw my solution on a piece of paper

  • to make it easier to share my idea with Squeaks.  

  • Okay, here's my idea.

  • We could have a different color  bead stand for each choice

  • then put them into a cupclose our eyes, and pick one!  

  • What's your solution?  

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • I like that one!

  • Squeaks says that we could makespinner like the ones used in some games.

  • This is a great solution.

  • It will solve the problem…  and we have all of the things

  • we need to make one here in the Fort!

  • Let's start by planning our solution.

  • We'll draw a circle on a piece of  paperuse scissors to cut it out

  • and divide it into four equal parts.

  • We'll write one activity choice in each part.

  • Finally, we'll attach a paper clip to the center using a paper fastenerand spin away!

  • Our spinner is done!

  • Our choices are: play outside...  have a snackdrawor read a book.

  • Let's give it a spin!

  • Look, our spinner landed on have a snack!

  • Now you have a plan for the afternoon, Squeaks!

  • Uh-oh, it looks like it's time for us  to meet Jessi to do some birdwatching.

  • We spent the entire afternoon  learning about engineering

  • instead of any of your original choices!

  • But that's okaywe had a lot of fun doing it.

  • [Squeaks squeaks]

  • I think we should show Jessi our spinner!

  • Thanks for joining us here at the Fort.

  • If you want to keep learning  and having fun with Squeaks, me,

  • and all our other friends, be  sure to hit the subscribe button,

  • and we'll see you next time on SciShow Kids!

  • [♪ OUTRO]

[♪ INTRO]

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