The other day a student asked me, “Can I build several possible prototypes of my prototype?” I couldn’t help but smile and respond with an exuberant “Yes, that’s a great idea!” This question was a testament to students’ engagement in and skill using the engineering process. They are thinking and acting like engineers. This willingness to explore and analyze a variety of solutions demonstrates a sense of maturity and depth in their thinking that is essential to develop in today’s complex world.
The 8th graders have been challenged to design and construct a building prototype that withstands an earthquake. They will take their prototypes to UWM to test them and to get feedback from several professors. The class has been researching, tinkering, building, trying, failing and trying again to develop ideas for their final design. Check out their initial ideas and thinking on their blogs!
I am so impressed with the depth of thinking students are displaying. As adults we need to iterate and prototype all the time, both at home and at work. You are developing true lifelong learning skills.