The Engineering Design Process (EDP) must be at the core of every STEM program because it provides a universal and lifelong framework for problem-solving. From engineers and architects to entrepreneurs and everyday thinkers, people use the same iterative cycle of ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve to tackle challenges in their fields. Embedding the EDP builds transferable skills, such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, skills that students will carry far beyond elementary school. It also keeps STEM rigorous by preventing “craft time” and ensuring every project includes a criterion, constraints, data, and iteration. Most importantly, the EDP is equity-minded: it's structured steps and visible success criteria give all learners access to authentic problem-solving. When teachers fail to embed the EDP, activities risk becoming one-off projects rather than meaningful STEM learning experiences. In fact, many fields, such as architecture, product design, and software development, all rely on processes that mirror the EDP. Scientists test hypotheses, architects refine blueprints, product designers iterate through prototypes, and software developers run agile sprints; each following the same cycle of defining problems, generating ideas, prototyping, testing, and improving. This shared framework across disciplines proves that the EDP is not just a classroom tool but a universal model for creating, innovating, and refining solutions throughout life.