Focus of Project
"How does the integration of the Engineering Design Process during science instruction enhance student learning?"
The focus of my professional inquiry project was the role that the Engineering Design Process would play in student learning when integrated into science instruction.
This project began as an initiative that was put forth by the school district that I had completed my final practicum in. The goal of the initiative was to have students thinking more critically about what they were doing, rather than creating crafts. Additionally, they wanted us to create a learning environment for students to be able to be makers and to learn knowledge that could be applicable almost anymore. Hence, we were introduced to the Engineering Design Process. I will lead you through the inquiry process that my class and I went through when using the Engineering Design Process. |
Background Information: The purpose of doing the Engineering Design Process is to bring more realistic applications of science learning into the classroom. With this, it is also important to make the culminating project more realistic and relevant to our students.
My Culminating Project: Our school was in the process of creating a space outside to be used for the Kindergarten students to work, play, and learn. We decided that for the culminating project of our Building and Testing Unit, we would ask our students "How might we design and build a structure for the Kindergarten outdoor space?" This ensured that the students had a personal interest in the benefit of this space and it was relevant to them.
My Culminating Project: Our school was in the process of creating a space outside to be used for the Kindergarten students to work, play, and learn. We decided that for the culminating project of our Building and Testing Unit, we would ask our students "How might we design and build a structure for the Kindergarten outdoor space?" This ensured that the students had a personal interest in the benefit of this space and it was relevant to them.