engineering Across the Disciplines
Description:
Engineering is a powerful educational tool! Engineering and the technologies that result from it by their very nature sit at the intersection of many domains of human and academic experience. In and of itself, well-implemented engineering challenges stimulate students’ critical and creative thinking and give them a sense of power over their learning. When thoughtfully incorporated into the classroom curriculum, engineering can also help students experience the interconnections of various content areas that are part of the existing curriculum. In addition, engineering In this way, investing time in engineering promises to make other learning more effective and lasting, while engaging a broader range of students in the classroom.* Through learning activities that can be transferred to your grade 3-5 classroom, we will explore the nature of engineering and the ways in which multiple content areas can authentically be integrated.
Notes:
· The exact scheduling of some of the content is still under development. Topics identified as part of one session may be moved to another.
· As copyrights allow, participants will receive lesson plans, notes, and perhaps other resources (including a 10% discount off one of the Engineering is Elementary teacher guides related to one of the sessions) to support their ability to take these ideas directly into their classrooms.
Presented By: Blue Heron STEM Education
Session 1: The Nature of Engineering and Technology
Hands-on and interesting experiences help illuminate answers to fundamental questions. What is engineering? What is technology? How do they relate to each other? Why do they matter to all of us, not just “science and math types”? Discover the heart of these areas, as well as the important social roles they play.
Sessions 2-5
The exact order of the sessions is TBD.
Dates: October 29; November 5; November 12;November 19;December 3
Location: Millbury Jr/Sr High School, 12 Martin St. Millbury, MA
Time: 4:00-7:00
Best For: Grades 3-5 teachers
Engineering is a powerful educational tool! Engineering and the technologies that result from it by their very nature sit at the intersection of many domains of human and academic experience. In and of itself, well-implemented engineering challenges stimulate students’ critical and creative thinking and give them a sense of power over their learning. When thoughtfully incorporated into the classroom curriculum, engineering can also help students experience the interconnections of various content areas that are part of the existing curriculum. In addition, engineering In this way, investing time in engineering promises to make other learning more effective and lasting, while engaging a broader range of students in the classroom.* Through learning activities that can be transferred to your grade 3-5 classroom, we will explore the nature of engineering and the ways in which multiple content areas can authentically be integrated.
Notes:
· The exact scheduling of some of the content is still under development. Topics identified as part of one session may be moved to another.
· As copyrights allow, participants will receive lesson plans, notes, and perhaps other resources (including a 10% discount off one of the Engineering is Elementary teacher guides related to one of the sessions) to support their ability to take these ideas directly into their classrooms.
Presented By: Blue Heron STEM Education
Session 1: The Nature of Engineering and Technology
Hands-on and interesting experiences help illuminate answers to fundamental questions. What is engineering? What is technology? How do they relate to each other? Why do they matter to all of us, not just “science and math types”? Discover the heart of these areas, as well as the important social roles they play.
Sessions 2-5
The exact order of the sessions is TBD.
- Engineering and Math: Engineers rely on math to help them design important, interesting and innovative technologies. In the context of an engineering design challenge, use your noggin, crunch some numbers, and see how data can help you solve engineering problems independently!
- Engineering and Science: Science and engineering are tightly connected. In the context of an engineering design challenge, explore how practicing science –asking questions, designing and conducting and experiment, and using technology to extend your observations--can inform engineering solutions and lead you (students) to understand what’s happening in a technological system.
- Engineering and English/Language Arts: When you think of how to combine English/Language Arts and Engineering, one idea may be to think of an engineering report as an opportunity for students to flex their ELA muscles. But there are other avenues to explore. In this session, we will see how technical vocabulary and critical thinking lead to the need for clear communication among and across engineering teams – all in the context of a life science-based engineering design challenge.
- Engineering and Art Connections: If you have heard of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) you have probably also heard of STEAM – the addition of arts to the mix of integrated curriculum. In its early stages of development, STEAM can sometimes be a bit less than rigorous. Together we’ll explore how to approach STEAM so that important content learning can take place in the context of engaging activities, and touch on how STEAM fields integrate in the real world. We’ll also see why it is important to (carefully, of course) consider including art.
Dates: October 29; November 5; November 12;November 19;December 3
Location: Millbury Jr/Sr High School, 12 Martin St. Millbury, MA
Time: 4:00-7:00
Best For: Grades 3-5 teachers