Promoting STEM in K-3rd Grade

Indianapolis, IN

There are many challenges that one may face while trying to promote engineering to younger children. Many activities are out there that exhibit engineering topics however they don't do a good job of explaining how and why it works. This can create a challenge when developing an outreach activity or making a lesson plan. Through a collaboration of the Engineering Dual Degree Program and the College of Education at Butler University, lesson plans were developed to make it easier on educators and those passionate about outreach. Each lesson was created to engage students in understanding what different engineering specialties are and how engineering is involved with our everyday lives. Through the hands on activities students are able to solve a problem by exploring the design process and thinking like an engineer, all while meeting Next Generation Science Standards.