Engineering in the Early Years

“If you build it, he will come . . .” so said the disembodied voice in a Kevin Costner film, a quote which has become a part of our popular culture references. We have used it to playfully refer to the work done by teachers and students in this engi- neering issue. Building and design are primal human activities. We expect to be able to improve conditions, solve problems, and create new designs in our world. And because of time, as a species, we imagine things can be better, easier, more achievable through our innovative abilities. In order for U. S. schools to keep pace

with the rest of the world, there is a grow- ing concern and focus on developing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical competency in today’s stu- dents. These STEM skills are certainly integrated into the studies featured here: designing ancient civilizations, imagining and constructing models of cities, work- ing with robots and LEGO® Blocks, and exploring properties of physics by build- ing human-sized bridges. These studies also involve students in

a comprehensive way, incorporating skills from many subjects at once. Building and design are natural activities and sup- ported well, can inspire the best learning in many engineers of the future.

Connect

Editor: Heather Taylor

Circulation: Susan Hathaway

Design and Production: Judy Wingerter

Synergy Learning Executive Director: Casey Murrow

™ published by SYNERGY LEARNING INTERNATIONAL™

Connect offers a wide range of practical, teacher-written articles in five thematic issues through the school year. Each issue supports problem solving, inquiry, and multidisciplinary approaches to learning.

Connect (ISSN: 1041-682X) is published online, September, November, January, March and May. Publisher: Synergy Learning International, Inc., PO Box 60, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Tel 800-769-6199. Fax: 802-254-5233. Email: Connect@SynergyLearning.org.

©2011 by Synergy Learning International, Inc. Published as a non-profit service. All rights reserved. Special permission is required to reproduce in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. Call 800-769-6199 for reprint permission information.

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Back Issues:Available for many of the print issues up to December, 2009. See the Synergy Learning website for details on back issues and on our extensive archive.www.SynergyLearning.org.

Photo credit for front cover: Judith Vihonski

Synergy Learning International, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, engaged in publishing and professional development for educators, pre-K to middle school. We are dedicated to supporting schools, teachers, and families with challenging science, math, and technology learning for children.

Judith Vihonski