Design & Engineering Cycle Elementary

When we changed my classroom from a computer lab to a design and engineering space that included technology some adults freaked out.  Why?  I only have my own story to tell.  As a teacher lured toward elementary students, by nature, I tended to sway towards language arts and social sciences.  I don't think I was alone in feeling like this.  As a kid I was a solid 'C' student in science.  I just didn't see how it was relevant to the world or how I could use it.  Fast forward to being flexible, teaching digital media, and now Innovation.  How was I supposed to explain to teachers with no frame of reference that design & engineering was part math, part science,  part art and can be integrated into Language Arts and the social sciences?  Hmmmm. 

What I found was by having the students pre-plan what they were going to create there was more reflection put into the process.  Here are some of my favorites (I do love some good freebies that I don't have to create:)

STEM Mini Journal (This is the one I use for JK-3)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-STEM-Challenge-Mini-Journal-1807836
Design Cycle (This is the one I use for grades 3-5)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STEM-Design-Cycle-FREE-Graphic-Organizer-970762
Independent Research Proposal  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Independent-Research-Study-Planning-Pages-Passion-Projects-Genius-Hour-1185154
Genius Hour Project Proposal:  http://creativeclassroomtools.blogspot.com/2014/03/genius-hour.html

Not going to lie.  In the beginning there were some that would come in to the room, tell their class to grab supplies and try to sneak out.  Even though some of these teachers are my good friends I stood firm and asked them (at a minimum) for five minutes to have their students create a supplies and materials list for the student creations.  I did receive some grumbles from a couple adults who just wanted to rush in, rush out, get started on the project.  However I keep repeating...It's the process, not the outcome that is important.

My current challenge is reflection because I don't often get to see final results due to the nature of my room and time schedule.  I have been invited to some classes to see presentations and hear feedback.  The third graders videotaped the presentations and uploaded them for families to see at home.  Some students complete the cycle forms (above) when time permits in my room however in general the reflection happens in the general classroom so that students can make use of the time they have in my room.  This semester I plan on asking teachers their feedback on these design and engineering cycle forms in hopes of creating one that represents our school vision.

Please 'click' on advertisements to show your support of this blog.  Thank you.