engineering Vocabulary
JamWise Education TeamยทUpdated March 2026
The engineering strand is a core part of the K-8 science curriculum. It encompasses 19 vocabulary terms that students encounter as they progress from kindergarten through 8th grade. Each term builds on previous knowledge, creating a spiral of deepening understanding that prepares learners for increasingly complex concepts.
Understanding engineering vocabulary is essential for classroom discussions, assessments, and real-world application. Below you will find every term organized by grade level, so teachers and parents can quickly identify which words are appropriate for their students and explore definitions tailored to each developmental stage.
3rd Grade
(4 terms)
Data
Data is information collected during an experiment, such as measurements, observations, or counts.
Design process
The design process is a set of steps engineers follow to solve a problem: ask, imagine, plan, create, test, and improve.
Investigation
An investigation is a careful study scientists do to answer a question, often using experiments and observations.
Simple machine
A simple machine is a basic device that makes work easier, like a lever, pulley, ramp, or wheel.
4th Grade
(4 terms)
Classify
To classify means to sort things into groups based on their properties or characteristics.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about what will happen in an experiment, based on what you already know.
Prototype
A prototype is the first version of a design that engineers build and test before making the final product.
Variable
A variable is something that can be changed or controlled in an experiment.
5th Grade
(3 terms)
Constraint
A constraint is a limitation on a design, such as available time, materials, or cost.
Criteria
Criteria are the requirements or standards that a design solution must meet to be considered successful.
Microscope
A microscope is a tool that magnifies very small objects so you can see details invisible to the naked eye.
6th Grade
(4 terms)
Dependent variable
The dependent variable is what a scientist measures to see the result of changing the independent variable.
Independent variable
The independent variable is the one factor a scientist changes on purpose in an experiment.
Model
A model is a representation of something that helps us understand how it works. Models can be physical, digital, or drawings.
Technology
Technology is any tool, system, or device created by humans to solve problems or meet needs.
8th Grade
(3 terms)
Control group
A control group is the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, used for comparison.
Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the factor that is measured in an experiment to see if it was affected by the independent variable.
Independent variable
The independent variable is the factor that the experimenter deliberately changes in an experiment to test its effect.