STEM-ID Engineering Explorations introduces the Engineering Design Process across 5th-8th grades. Below are a series of modules that are contextualized in different scenarios and engineering concepts.
Students engage in a series of four modules to explore the concept of 2D and 3D representations through objects and nets. Students learn to identify the different parts of an object, including face, edge, and vertex, as well as calculate volume and surface areas. These concepts help them understand the engineering design decision process.
The Engineering Drawing modules can be used with all 6th-8th grade students.
Students take on the roles of food truck entrepreneurs and designers to engage in various activities, including the use of survey data to create a brand, flowcharts to map their food truck’s operations, and respond to a RFP to design and prototype a floorplan.
Students become market researchers for the owner of Pixel Palace Arcade, and work in teams to collect and visualize class data, calculate cost and profit in the arcade, and test the odds of winning and design a better game.
Students are introduced to four challenges, including data, systems, visualization, and design. Each challenge engages students in understanding, designing, and eventually and building aircrafts.
Students work with a partner and each designs a desktop holder for their partner’s cell phone per their partner’s requirements. Students must document the problem and the requirements and design a solution that meets their partner’s approval. They render their design using 3-D modeling software and test the dimensions. Final solutions are 3D printed for additional testing and presentations.
To implement multiple STEM-ID Engineering Exploration modules, refer to the STEM-ID Materials by Grade and Challenge document for a complete list of the materials required for planning and implementation.
