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NGSS · Grades K–2

K-2-ETS1-1 Ask questions and gather information to define a simple problem

Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

Why water teaches this standard well

Water problems are easy for young students to notice and define: a puddle that floods the playground, a leaky classroom faucet, plants that dry out over the weekend. Framing one of these as a problem people want to change starts the engineering design cycle with a situation students see every day.

Materials tagged with this code are written to the full standard , and each carries a written note explaining the alignment. See how we review materials.

32 materials aligned to K-2-ETS1-1

Lesson plans

Kindergarten Lesson plan

A Splash Guard for the Bayberry School Water Fountain

A 35-minute kindergarten design lesson in which students name a splashing hallway fountain problem, then fold and test a paper guard that keeps the floor dry.

Engineering & Design 35 min

Kindergarten Lesson plan

A Lid for the Beechnut School Paint Water Bucket

A 40-minute kindergarten design lesson where students invent a lid that keeps paint water from sloshing onto the sidewalk and into the storm drain outside the art room.

Engineering & Design 40 min Answer key

Worksheets

Grade 1 Worksheet

Telling a Leak from a Spill at Ryeholt School

A grade 1 science worksheet on four wet spots at a fictional school, where students sort leaks from spills and plan one check for the next day.

Science 25 min Answer key

Kindergarten Worksheet

Patching the Leaky Pipe Under Tinley School

A read-aloud kindergarten worksheet where students count holes, drips, and patches within 10 to help a repair crew plan the fix for a leaking school pipe.

Engineering & Design 20 min Answer key

Classroom activities

Grade 2 Classroom activity

Chalk Arrows on the Sparrowdyke School Blacktop

A grade 2 outdoor activity where teams pour water at six chalk spots, draw arrows showing which way it ran, and map the schoolyard's low ground.

Science 45 min Answer key

Grade 1 Classroom activity

Dovecote Hill Puddle Map: Crayon Rubbing Stations

A grade 1 art activity: three crayon rubbing stations record the texture of a grate, a brick path, and gravel for a class map of playground wet spots.

Art & Music 45 min Answer key

Grade 2 Classroom activity

Haverly School Room 6's Cup Count: Four Water Stations

Grade 2 groups measure classroom water use in cups at four stations, draw a bar graph from a recorded day, and define the water waste problem their room wants to fix.

Science 40 min Answer key

Grade 2 Classroom activity

Crabapple Pond's Floating Boom: A Grade 2 Design Station

A 35-minute grade 2 station activity in which teams build floating booms from yarn, foil, and straws to corral floating litter in a tub and compare two designs.

Engineering & Design 35 min Answer key

Kindergarten Classroom activity

Spoon or Straw: Two Watering Tools for the Bean Cups

A 30-minute kindergarten activity where groups test a spoon against a straw dropper on matching bean cups and choose the tool that waters without spilling.

Engineering & Design 30 min Answer key