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Emily Macedo

This course is designed for educators to learn about ways to teach Engineering and STEM concepts to their students through fun, hands-on activities. The goal is for teachers to feel more confident with engineering concepts and activities and to be able to create their own. This course will explore what engineering is and why it is important to teach it and introduce it to students at a young age, so we have more diversity in our engineering fields in the future. The course will take a look at how engineering ties to the curriculum in British Columbia and how you can use engineering design challenges to satisfy components of the Applied Design Skills and Technologies (ADST) curriculum. It will also dive into some basic coding for young learners and computational thinking strategies. We will provide suggestions for constraints when teaching these types of activities and various assessment and evaluation techniques. At the end of the course you will be provided with enough resources to begin to bring engineering design challenges into your classroom start to feel confident creating your own!

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This course is designed for educators to learn about ways to teach Engineering and STEM concepts to their students through fun, hands-on activities. The goal is for teachers to feel more confident with engineering concepts and activities and to be able to create their own. This course will explore what engineering is and why it is important to teach it and introduce it to students at a young age, so we have more diversity in our engineering fields in the future. The course will take a look at how engineering ties to the curriculum in British Columbia and how you can use engineering design challenges to satisfy components of the Applied Design Skills and Technologies (ADST) curriculum. It will also dive into some basic coding for young learners and computational thinking strategies. We will provide suggestions for constraints when teaching these types of activities and various assessment and evaluation techniques. At the end of the course you will be provided with enough resources to begin to bring engineering design challenges into your classroom start to feel confident creating your own!

What you'll learn

  • What is Engineering
  • Why teach STEAM (science,technology, engineering, art, math)
  • Curriculum Connections- engineering and ADST
  • Diversity in Engineering
  • The Engineering Design Process
  • The different types of engineering
  • How to create your own engineering design challenge for your classroom
  • What is computational thinking
  • Learn some coding activities for your K-3 class
  • Constraints in teaching engineering
  • Assessment strategies for engineering challenges
  • How to implement all these in the classroom

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What is engineering
  • Why teach steam (science,technology, engineering, art, math)
  • Curriculum connections- engineering and adst
  • Diversity in engineering
  • The engineering design process
  • The different types of engineering
  • How to create your own engineering design challenge for your classroom
  • What is computational thinking
  • Learn some coding activities for your k-3 class
  • Constraints in teaching engineering
  • Assessment strategies for engineering challenges
  • How to implement all these in the classroom

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for K-3 grade educators looking to incorporate engineering and STEM concepts into their curriculum
Provides practical hands-on activities and resources for implementing engineering design challenges in the classroom
Covers the engineering design process, different types of engineering, and computational thinking for young learners
Addresses diversity in engineering fields and encourages its promotion among students
May require additional resources or materials for hands-on activities
Learning outcomes are not explicitly tied to specific curriculum standards or learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Engineering for young learners

According to students, Engineering for Your Classroom is well-organized with clear definitions and age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-3. They particularly appreciate the inclusion of diversity and equity topics in the curriculum.
The course is well-organized, making it easy to follow.
"This course is organized well..."
The definitions are clear and concise.
"Definitions are clear and to the point."
The lesson plans are creative and age-appropriate for grades K-3.
"The lesson plans are creative and age appropriate to K-3 classroom."
The course includes important topics on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
"Also, including the component of diversity/stereotypes/gender inequities in steam fields is good to add for general knowledge for students."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Engineering for Your Classroom K – 3 with these activities:
Connect with an experienced engineer to get guidance
Reach out to an experienced engineer in your field to gain valuable insights, ask questions, and get personalized career advice.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Attend industry events or join online communities to connect with potential mentors.
  • Identify engineers whose work or expertise aligns with your interests.
  • Prepare a brief introduction and highlight your goals for mentorship.
Review the basics of coding
Start the course with a refresher on the core concepts of coding to make sure you're ready for the challenges ahead.
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous coding classes or tutorials.
  • Complete some practice exercises or puzzles to get your brain back into coding mode.
Refresher on Engineering: Thermodynamics
Reinforce your understanding of thermodynamics, which is critical for understanding engineering principles
Browse courses on Thermodynamics
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes and textbooks on thermodynamics
  • Work through practice problems and examples
  • Attend a workshop or online course on thermodynamics
14 other activities
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Show all 17 activities
Review basic coding principles
Builds confidence in basic coding skills, improving the foundation for understanding engineering design concepts.
Show steps
  • Revisit variables, data types, and operators
  • Practice writing simple functions
Explore Computational Thinking
Develop a foundation in Computational Thinking by learning the basics of coding and computational strategies.
Browse courses on Coding
Show steps
  • Complete the tutorial on the basics of coding.
  • Participate in the discussion forum on the importance of Computational Thinking.
  • Complete the exercises on computational thinking strategies.
Learn About Computational Thinking
Deepen your understanding of computational thinking concepts and strategies.
Browse courses on Computational Thinking
Show steps
  • Read articles and watch videos about computational thinking.
  • Complete online tutorials on computational thinking.
  • Attend a workshop on computational thinking.
  • Join an online community or forum dedicated to computational thinking.
  • Develop a computational thinking lesson plan for your classroom.
Create a cheat sheet of engineering design principles
Craft a cheat sheet that summarizes the key principles and concepts of engineering design to keep by your side as you work through the course.
Show steps
  • Identify the most important principles and concepts from the course materials.
  • Write down each principle or concept clearly and concisely.
  • Organize the cheat sheet in a logical way for easy reference.
Collaborate with Peers
Enhance your learning by working with peers to solve Engineering Design challenges, exchange ideas, and provide feedback.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Join a study group or online forum.
  • Participate in discussions and collaborate on projects.
  • Provide feedback to your peers.
Follow tutorials on engineering design process
Provides a structured approach to understanding the engineering design process, aiding in creating effective engineering design challenges.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials or courses on engineering design process
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, practicing the process
Complete coding challenges on coding platforms
Work through coding challenges on platforms like HackerRank or LeetCode to hone your programming skills and prepare for real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Coding Challenges
Show steps
  • Choose a coding platform and sign up for an account.
  • Select a challenge that aligns with the topics you're covering in the course.
  • Solve the challenge using the programming language of your choice.
Solve Engineering Design Challenges
Practice solving engineering design challenges to strengthen your understanding of the engineering design process.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or need.
  • Research and gather information.
  • Generate and evaluate ideas.
  • Develop and test a solution.
  • Communicate your solution.
Solve Engineering Design Challenges
Practice applying the Engineering Design Process by solving hands-on design challenges and developing solutions to real-world problems.
Show steps
  • Choose an Engineering Design Challenge.
  • Identify the problem and constraints.
  • Research and brainstorm solutions.
  • Design and build a prototype.
  • Test and evaluate your prototype.
Solve engineering design challenges
Strengthens problem-solving abilities and applies engineering design concepts to real-world scenarios.
Show steps
  • Find engineering design challenges online or from resources provided in the course
  • Work through the challenges, applying the engineering design process
  • Reflect on solutions and identify areas for improvement
Start a personal engineering project
Embark on a personal engineering project to apply the concepts and skills you're learning in the course to a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or challenge that you're passionate about solving.
  • Research the topic and gather necessary information.
  • Design and build a prototype or solution.
  • Test and refine your solution until you achieve the desired outcome.
Create an Engineering Design Portfolio
Showcase your Engineering Design skills by creating a portfolio that demonstrates your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and technical expertise.
Browse courses on Portfolio Development
Show steps
  • Gather your best Engineering Design work.
  • Create a digital or physical portfolio.
  • Include descriptions and reflections on each project.
Create a Classroom-Friendly Engineering Design Activity
Develop a hands-on engineering design activity that could be taught in a K-3 classroom.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for engineering design projects.
  • Research existing engineering design projects suitable for K-3 students.
  • Develop a detailed plan for your project.
  • Create materials and resources for your project.
  • Test your project with a group of K-3 students.
Design and build a prototype
Allows students to apply their knowledge and skills by creating a tangible artifact, reinforcing understanding of engineering principles.
Browse courses on Prototyping
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or need
  • Brainstorm possible solutions
  • Design and build a prototype
  • Test and evaluate the prototype
  • Refine and iterate the design

Career center

Learners who complete Engineering for Your Classroom K – 3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Engineering Teacher
An Engineering Teacher shares knowledge about principles of engineering and technology, and how to apply them to the real world. They help students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and design skills. This course provides a solid foundation in engineering concepts, and prepares teachers to implement engineering design challenges and activities in their classrooms, which can make them more effective educators.
Elementary School Teacher
An Elementary School Teacher educates students in core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. They help students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This course provides a solid foundation in engineering concepts and activities, and prepares teachers to implement engineering design challenges in their classrooms, which can make them more effective educators.
Professor of Engineering
A Professor of Engineering conducts research, teaches courses, and mentors students in the field of engineering. This course can be useful for building a foundation in different types of engineering, the engineering design process, and assessment strategies for engineering challenges, which can all be helpful for someone who wants to teach engineering at the university level.
Curriculum Developer
A Curriculum Developer designs and develops educational materials, including curricula, lesson plans, and assessments. They ensure that these materials are aligned with educational standards and goals. This course can be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, and for learning how to create engineering design challenges, which can be helpful for someone who wants to develop curricula for engineering education.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates and develops educational materials, including online courses, interactive simulations, and other learning resources. They ensure that these materials are effective and engaging for learners. This course can be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, and for learning how to create engineering design challenges, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design instructional materials for engineering education.
Educational Researcher
An Educational Researcher conducts research on the teaching and learning process. They study how students learn, and how teachers can be more effective. This course can be useful for building a foundation in engineering education, and for learning about assessment strategies for engineering challenges, which can be helpful for someone who wants to conduct research on engineering education.
Science Teacher
A Science Teacher educates students in the field of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science. They help students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to teach science at the high school level.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products, such as software, hardware, and engineering designs. They explain how to use and maintain these products clearly and concisely. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and for learning how to communicate technical information effectively, which can be helpful for someone who wants to write about engineering.
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs, builds, and maintains electrical systems. They work in a variety of industries, including power generation, distribution, and telecommunications. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design and build electrical systems.
Mechanical Engineer
A Mechanical Engineer designs, builds, and maintains mechanical systems. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and energy. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design and build mechanical systems.
Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer designs, builds, and maintains chemical plants. They work in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food processing, and energy. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design and build chemical plants.
Civil Engineer
A Civil Engineer designs, builds, and maintains civil infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, transportation, and water resources. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design and build civil infrastructure.
Robotics Engineer
A Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and maintains robots. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and activities, which can be helpful for someone who wants to design and build robots.
Science Writer
A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to a general audience. They write articles, blog posts, and other materials that explain scientific concepts and discoveries. This course may be useful for building a foundation in engineering concepts and for learning how to communicate technical information effectively, which can be helpful for someone who wants to write about engineering.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They work in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, and healthcare. This course may be useful for building a foundation in computational thinking and coding, which can be helpful for someone who wants to develop software.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Engineering for Your Classroom K – 3.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the mathematics that is essential for engineers. It can be used as a textbook for a course in mathematics for engineers, or as a reference for practicing engineers.
Provides a solid foundation in the principles of thermodynamics, which are essential for understanding many engineering applications. It can be used as a textbook for a course in thermodynamics, or as a reference for practicing engineers.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of engineering mechanics, including both statics and dynamics. It can be used as a textbook for a course in engineering mechanics, or as a reference for practicing engineers.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of electrical engineering. It can be used as a textbook for a course in electrical engineering, or as a reference for practicing engineers.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of computer science. It can be used as a textbook for a course in computer science, or as a reference for practicing computer scientists.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of chemistry. It can be used as a textbook for a course in chemistry, or as a reference for practicing chemists.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of problem solving. It can be used as a textbook for a course in problem solving, or as a reference for anyone who wants to improve their problem-solving skills.
Provides practical advice on how to become more effective in your personal and professional life. It can be helpful for anyone who wants to improve their productivity and achieve their goals.
Provides a sweeping overview of human history, from the Stone Age to the present day. It thought-provoking read that will challenge your assumptions about the world.
Provides a framework for understanding why large companies often fail to innovate. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of innovation in the 21st century.

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