Pamela Hall

Jun 9, 20223 min read

The End of Engineering for School Year 2021-2022 Doesn't Have to be the End of Engineering

Hi families. This past school year was action packed with engineering design challenges and plenty of problem solving. This post shares some highlight reels. Most of all, I want to encourage you to continue engineering with your children at home.

I always tell the students, "Engineering is everywhere you look." Think about it, it's true. Everything we play with and use was designed and created by an engineer. Engineers solve medical problems too. Who knows, your children might be the next engineer who solves a major problem in society.

You can keep the engineering mindset going through the summer by allowing your children to recycle and reuse household trash items like boxes and empty toilet tissue rolls. Please give them a space to get creative and messy. Click on this to get to an article with nine ideas you can do together. Click here for some more engineering projects you can do together. Often, the local libraries have a summer STEM program. It's a great opportunity to explore for your kids.

I really like the following resource: 77 Simple STEM Activities to do with your family. Click this link to download.

Third Graders are reverse engineering toys to learn what makes them work and how to improve the design.

Kindergarten students solve the following challenge: Your Hex Bug needs a habitat. How will you create a home for your Hex Bug and a way home?

Second and third graders loved learning about simple machines: inclined planes, pulleys, and levers. Here they're using a lever to sling a pumpkin. Their challenge was to improve the design to sling a pumpkin the farthest. They had to adjust the lever and the fulcrum to get optimal distance.

First, second, and third graders loved Minecraft Mondays. Each grade had a different engineering challenge integrating the Minecraft game theme.

First grade students learned all about eggs, hens, and the steps from farm to market. They also learned about the needs of all hens for optimum health & egg production. They planned and designed sustainable chicken coops incorporating all the needs for hens.

Second and third graders learned about gravity, speed, momentum, and centrifugal force. They loved creating rollercoasters using scientific principles. They tested and improved their designs for success. They used collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and good citizenship.

First graders engaged in a social emotional lesson using the book: The Good Egg. Students learned ways to be a "good egg" like carrying groceries and being a good listener. Then, they learned ways to calm down when they felt frustrated. They learned ways to take care of themselves so that they "don't crack up". Last, they solved the following problem: How can you help the farmer get his eggs to market without them cracking while traveling across a very bumpy, bumpy road? They brainstormed, collaborated with a partner, and worked with a parter to engineer a new type of egg carton to protect their egg. It was so fun to watch them execute their plans. Overall, most of the eggs survived. There were a few that cracked, but the students said, "Mistakes are for learning."

Third grade students learned careers in robotic engineering and prosthetics. They planned and engineered robotic hand prototypes that picked up a ball.

Second grade students engineered wind powered cars and efficiency cars. Third grade students engineered balloon cars and jousting cars. Multiple skills were integrated throughout these lessons.

Kindergarten students explore magnets. Preschoolers use tools, wooden pieces, nuts and bolts to build and create.

Third graders learned about the important aspects of a community. They worked with a team to plan and create a community out of cardboard. They used Makedo tools with cardboard screws.

Third graders learned about Newtons laws of motion, force, momentum, and so much more as they participated in the CAES Engineering Class Egg Drop Contest.