Elementary Engineers: Using Stories to Engage in the Design Process Elizabeth Mitchell Adjunct Instructor, Zayed University Engineering Education Student, Tuft’s University

Workshop Goals After this session you will be able to: Select books that are a good fit to inspire engineering problems and solutions Facilitate students as they identify problems and design solutions After this session you will be familiar with: The engineering design process Engineering design terms you can use with your students When back in your classroom you will: Have resources you can go to for support, examples and more information

Next Generation Science Standards K-2 3-5 K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs. 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

STEM Science Technology ? Engineering Mathematics What do engineers do? How can elementary students explore and develop engineering skills?

What do engineers do? Engineers solve human- related problems. Identify a user Define their problem Identify any constraints or limitations Develop possible solutions Prototype the solution Reiterate

How can elementary students explore and develop engineering skills? By: Through: doing, creating, making, prototyping, reiterating, researching, sympathizing and reading inspiring stories

How it works Read a book and identify problems Scope the problems and brainstorm solutions Design a solution Get feedback Improve designs Share http://www.novelengineering.org/

https://www. freelancer https://www.freelancer.com/contest/Engineering-Design-Process-Poster-350020-byentry-8096678.html

Read the book

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Select a book with: Characters students can identify with A story that has problems characters can solve A story that lends itself to many different solutions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEZnpXVI6L4

Define the problem

While listening to the story Mr. McGreely Rabbits Describe him What is his problem? What are his strengths? What are his limitations? Describe them What is their problem? What are their strengths? What are their limitations?

Brainstorm Solutions

Idea generation - brainstorm solutions Identify 5-10 different solutions with your group, don’t limit yourself or evaluate them Aim is to promote idea fluency to generate many ideas without judging the solutions yet Draw it Write it Describe it

Determine the optimal the solution What characteristics should the optimal solution have? Review your client or characters’ constraints and strengths Discuss which solution is the best fit for them Which solution is the optimal solution?

Develop this solution Draw Label Prepare As a group plan your pitch Label Clearly identify key details Draw Roughly sketch design components Develop this solution

Discuss Further develop your solution through peer feedback Present your idea to another group Present Kindly ask questions to help the other group develop their idea Ask Have the other group present to you Repeat Discuss Further develop your solution through peer feedback

Pedagogy check How did your solution develop when you considered the constraints and limitations of the client? How did your idea generation progress when you opened yourself to consider all possible solutions without judgement? What happened when you compared those ideas to the optimal solution? How did your idea/solution evolve when you collaborated with the other group?

Solutions by Second Graders Which character have the students empathized with? What’s their solution?

Solutions by Second Graders Check out the diversity of solutions Who did they identify as their client? Top has a ladder that lets the bunnies climb in and out. Bottom left is a bunny launcher. Bottom right is a sling shot that keeps bunnies out.

In this workshop we: Read and identified problems Brainstormed optimal solutions Attentively read the text Identified characters Described the characters’ problems Considered the needs of the characters Described the context of their situation Identified the constraints imposed by the situation Brainstormed solutions Evaluated solutions with peer support

The Benefits Teacher chooses the book, inspiring readers at all levels including ELL Develops reading comprehension - students use evidence from the text to support their ideas Engages all learners - students who struggle with language arts have a new way to demonstrate comprehension Provides opportunity to meet Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards Frames realistic engineering problems Students explore the Engineering Design Process, supporting development of teamwork and communication skills http://www.novelengineering.org/

That's the beauty of using novels That's the beauty of using novels. Students can come up with so many different problems and rationales for different criteria and constraints based on their understanding of the characters. It helps the teacher see how well they can pick up on context clues and provide evidence for their thinking. Becky McDowell, K-6 Engineering Teacher and Tuft’s University TA

Terminology Constraints – Limitations or restrictions which could be based on user attributes like skill, time, resources, or money Prototype – A preliminary or first version of a device or design Affordances – Perceived and actual properties of a thing; what it looks like, what it does and what it can actually do Iterate – Repeat part or all of the design process in an effort to improve a prototype Framing the problem – How students interpret and understand the problem before brainstorming design solutions

Resources Engineering is Elementary Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston https://eie.org/ Novel Engineering Novel Engineering Project support by funding from the National Science Foundation www.novelengineering.org TeachEngineering.org Digital library funded by the National Science Foundation https://www.teachengineering.org TEEP Teacher Engineering Education Program, Tuft’s University http://teep.tufts.edu/

Articles “A Literacy-Based Strategy to Help Teachers Integrate Science Skills” https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/08/22/a-literacy-based-strategy-to-help-teachers-integrate- science-skills/?platform=hootsuite “The Informed Design Teaching and Learning Matrix” by Crismond and Adams https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244064179_The_Informed_Design_Teaching_and_ Learning_Matrix