What Are You Thinking Have you ever taken something apart to see how it works Do you like to figure out better ways to do things Do you like science and math If you answered yes to any of these questions you might think like an engineer 4
Engineers are the reason we have everything from thumbtacks to rocket ships Our society depends on engineers to design everything we need to survive 5
Communication transportation housing medical care and food are all improved by engineers They find ways to help make the world a better and safer place to live An engineer thinks about problems and ideas for solving them The process begins with three questions What is the problem Who has the problem Why is the problem important to solve 6
Engineers work to turn an idea into a reality It doesn’t matter how challenging the idea seems If the problem is important to solve it’s worth a try An engineer never thinks It can’t be done Instead an engineer thinks How can I accomplish this The Panama Canal The Panama Canal was engineered in the late 1800s to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean This 48 mile 77 kilometer engineering wonder created an important route in maritime trade 7
