--- title: Lessons for Defining Engineering Problems | K-8 Grade description: Defining Engineering Problems Disciplinary Core Ideas image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # Defining Engineering Problems Disciplinary Core Ideas [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Definitions of Energy](https://www.knowatom.com/definitions-of-energy) - [Structure and Properties of Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-properties-of-matter) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) - [Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life](https://www.knowatom.com/energy-in-chemical-processes-and-everyday-life) - [Defining Engineering Problems](https://www.knowatom.com/defining-engineering-problems) - [Optimizing the Design Solution](https://www.knowatom.com/optimizing-the-design-solution) - [Electromagnetic Radiation](https://www.knowatom.com/electromagnetic-radiation) - [Information Technologies and Instrumentation](https://www.knowatom.com/information-technologies-and-instrumentation) - [Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems](https://www.knowatom.com/defining-and-delimiting-engineering-problems) - [Developing Possible Solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-possible-solutions) Crosscutting Concepts - [Energy and Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/energy-and-matter) - [Scale Proportion and Quantity](https://www.knowatom.com/scale-proportion-and-quantity) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Influence of Engineering Technology and Science on Society and the Natural World](https://www.knowatom.com/influence-of-engineering-technology-and-science-on-society-and-the-natural-world) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Lessons for Defining Engineering Problems Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-05-38-52-6468-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-information-transfer) ## [Engineering Information Transfer In this unit, students build on what they know about the science phenomena of energy transfer to focus on information transfer and how different technologies use patterns of sound, light, or numbers to transmit information. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-information-transfer) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-information-transfer) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/defining-engineering-problems", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Defining Engineering Problems Disciplinary Core Ideas\n\n" }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```