This year, third grade students have begun an exciting project that introduces them to the world of engineering, under the guidance of teacher Joanna Mc Reynolds. Through this project, children are learning the engineering design process, a structured and creative approach to problem solving. In the first few weeks, students have taken on the role of little engineers, facing the challenge of identifying real problems and developing solutions by building prototypes.
The process, in line with the deeper learning approach, begins with identifying a problem that needs to be solved. This first stage fosters students’ ability to observe their environment and think critically about the challenges around them, cultivating their analytical and problem-solving skills from an early age. Once the problem has been identified, children move on to the design phase, where they practice drawing models. Here, not only is creativity encouraged, but they are also taught the importance of models as key tools to visualize their ideas before beginning construction.
During this stage, students learn that a well-designed model can save time and resources by allowing them to foresee errors and adjust to established criteria. This learning instills in them from an early age the idea of meticulous planning, an essential value in engineering and other disciplines.
Another fundamental aspect of the project is the importance of adjusting and changes during the design process. As they progress, students discover that original ideas sometimes need to be modified to meet project requirements. This process teaches them to be flexible, persevering, and open to feedback, skills that are crucial not only in engineering, but in any academic and personal setting.
The benefits of this project for third-grade students are countless. Not only are they developing technical skills such as drawing and construction, but they are also strengthening competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. In addition, teamwork is key at every step, promoting the development of social skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with their peers.
In short, this engineering design project not only offers a practical introduction to the subject, but also prepares students to face challenges with a structured and resilient mindset – skills that will serve them well throughout their academic and professional lives.
