1. Part II: IMPLEMENTING CHILDREN'S ENGINEERING Tools, Materials, & Processes

2. Materials Materials can limit creative possibilities. The wider the selection of materials available to a designer, the greater the range of possible solutions becomes.

3. Materials Humans have used the natural materials found in their environment to solve problems for centuries. When available materials didn't fit their needs, humans adapted: using old materials in new ways or inventing new materials.

4. Properties of Materials Teachers can tie discussions of properties of materials into what they are already doing in the classroom. – Example: if students are making something out of construction paper and they find out that the paper is not heavy enough for their needs, students might ask for poster board or card stock. Instead of providing them with stiffer paper, a teacher might ask them how they can make the paper they are using stronger.

5. Publishing Books Publishing their own books is a frequent activity for elementary students. – Assignment – Create an Engineering Notebook

6. Teaching about Materials SCIENCE LESSONS are ideal for exposing students to properties of materials. – focus on how different materials can be used and/or manipulated to solve a problem. SOCIAL SCIENCE LESSONS provide a variety of opportunities for teaching about materials and their properties. – Culture, changes in material usage throughout time, positive and negative impacts of new materials.

7. Teaching about Materials MATHEMATICS LESSONS also provide openings for discussion materials. – Measurement and graphs CALENDAR LESSONS are a daily occurrence in most primary classrooms. – How does weather effect materials LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS include a variety of possibilities for discussions about materials. – Narrative curriculum design opportunities

8. Teaching about Materials ART LESSONS provide a natural opportunity for exploring materials. – Shape, form, function The wider the selection of materials available to a designer, the greater the range of possible solutions.

9. Cooperative Learning Student Roles Project Manager - Keeps group on task. Data Collection Manager - Reads directions, problems, and resources for/to the group. Safety Engineer - Monitors use of tools and reminds group to follow classroom rules. Materials Engineer - Gets needed supplies and does errands. Noise Control Monitor - Keeps the "volume button" low. Helps to make sure everyone listens to others as they speak. Cooperative learning is real world learning. In today's world few people work in a vacuum without interaction. Having children learn how to work together is an important life skill.

10. Tools TooIs extend human capabilities. PG. 23