Thinking Like an Engineer

Bridging the Gap 2014Room 2

3pmMichelle Smith

michelle.smith@craven.k12.nc.us

Think of a Solution

**Do not discuss your ideas yet. Just brainstorm for a few minutes and then we

will share.

You are given one page of a newspaper. Your challenge is to think of a way that two people could stand on this one sheet of newspaper

without being able to touch each other.

You have two minutes.

Our Kids Think Like This Too!

…if we let them.Too many times we tell them exactly what we want and exactly how to get there.

But really, isn’t our real objective for them to learn the concepts and information?

Does it really matter what path their mind takes to understanding?

Engineering Design Process

ASKIMAGINE

PLANCREATE

IMPROVE

Why would you want to integrate the Engineering Design Process in your curriculum?

Why would you want to integrate the Engineering Design Process in your curriculum?

Why would you want to integrate the Engineering Design Process in your

curriculum?

It makes your already existing projects and assignments more student driven, therefore less

work for you and more ownership for them. (Which

means more learning!)

What do our students want?

I have to share…

This video.

We All Want To Be That Teacher!

But how can we do that when we have so much information we have to

cover? I mean really, our evaluation depends on their test performance!!!

I GET IT!

What’s My Point?

Point 1- The Engineering Design Process is critical

thinking at its best! Take your already existing assignment and easily elevate it to focus on the higher order thinking

skills.

What’s My Point?

Point 2- The EDP allows and actually forces students to be

in control of their own learning. You give the

requirements of what their final product needs to

accomplish and they figure out how to make it happen.

What’s My Point?

Point 3- The EDP can be modified to fit ANY grade level

or curriculum!

• 10th Grade English• Kindergarten• 8th Grade ELA

Can You Make It Your Own?

Simplified Engineering Design Process

Can You Make It Your Own?

Modify it to fit your needs/style.

Can You Make It Your Own?

Create your own rubric; Focus on following the steps,

adhering to the rules and mastery of the information.

Can You Make It Your Own?

EDP Project Planning Sheet

(Pick something you already do in your class.)

Contact Information:

All of these materials and more can be found at my wiki:

mrssmithsteachershare.wikispaces.com/bridging+the+gap+conference+materials+2014

Feel free to email me anytime:michelle.smith@craven.k12.nc.us