The engineering design process as a problem solving and learning tool in K-12 classrooms

Abstract

It can be difficult for teachers to develop engineering curriculum for the classroom due to time constraints, limited access to resources, and lack of knowledge about the benefits and potential success in the classroom. Another challenge to incorporate engineering into the classroom is the teacher's and student's misconceptions about engineering. The engineering design process (EDP) is a decision-making process, often iterative, in which basic science, math, and engineering concepts are applied to develop optimal solutions to meet an established objective. Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the development of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation. Teachers can easily incorporate the EDP into existing classroom projects or activities and it can also provide a framework for developing new curriculum modules. The EDP is a great tool that teachers can use in their coursework to enhance their problem solving skills as well as introduce them to engineering disciplines. The EDP was implemented in 7th and 8th grade math and science classrooms over a two-year period through the University of California, Berkeley ADEPT (Applied Design Engineering Project Teams) program supported by the NSF GK-12 program. The EDP was also used in the curriculum of the University of California, Berkeley Pre- Engineering Partnerships summer program for middle and high school students over the course of three summers. The work presented here provides an overview of the module developed for the 7th and 8th grade classrooms. The general use of the EDP was introduced to the students early in the course through short classroom activities and was later explored in more depth as it applied to long term projects. The EDP is also applicable to problems outside of engineering and in the student's everyday lives; this was one of the reasons that teachers were so excited about bringing it into the classroom. The success of using the EDP in the classroom was documented through interviews and surveys of the teachers and students as well as pre and post assessments of the students. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2013.