the design of the packages used to store the plants. In one of the lessons leading up to the design chal- lenge, the class analyzed different types of packag- ing. They thought about the technological aspects of building a package that could let in light, maintain sufficient moisture and keep a delicate living plant safe. They also delighted in looking at the market- ing aspects of packaging. How could they design their package to persuade consumers to buy their product and not the one next to it? One of the constraints that students face while

designing their plant packages is cost of materi- als. Students really took this to heart and thought carefully about what materials they would use in their designs. As a side benefit, I saw little waste of materials. I took this idea of cost and applied it to other classroom projects where students were given a budget. In one of these projects, one group was so under budget that I pointed out that they could buy more materials, but the group refused. They didn’t want to spend the money (and it was just imaginary money)!

Opening the Mind

Whether it’s designing a plant package, replicating an artifact, or designing a knee brace, participating in engineering design challenges has given my stu- dents the opportunity to learn about material prop- erties, think critically, and increase their attention to detail. All of the EiE units have students getting their hands dirty, whether with soil and gravel in the geotechnical engineering unit or while mixing water, flour, and salt in the chemical engineering unit. The design challenges are open-ended and engage students’ interests in ways that continually propel students to improve and push beyond their pre-conceived ideas. The authenticity of these activ- ities do more for teaching students how the world works than any simple lab can ever do. !

Leslie McRobie is a fifth-grade teacher, Vice President of the New Hampshire Science Teachers Asso- ciation (NHSTA), and former Science Department Chair at Somersworth Middle School in Somers- worth, New Hampshire. During her thirty-three-year teaching career, Leslie has continually sought out ways to improve and enhance her teaching and has served as District Director of NSTA and Presi- dent of the NHSTA.

References

Engineering is Elementary Engineering is Elementary Informational Video

©SYNERGY LEARNING • 800-769-6199 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 Connect • PAGE 23

Leslie McRobie

Leslie McRobie