Challenge 5 common

Engineering is Elementary® (EiE®) is a project of the National Center Misconceptions:

for Technological Literacy® (NCTL®) at the Museum of Science, Boston. We
Engineering is only for the
address America’s pressing need for effective STEM (science, technology,
‘smart kids’ in class
engineering, and math) education through three platforms:
Engineering is for boys
• Curriculum development and dissemination

• Professional development (PD) for teachers and teacher educators Engineers build things

• Educational research and evaluation Engineers sit at a computer all day

Engineering is not collaborative

We need to provide equitable

You need to implement
learning experiences for all learners
engineering to meet
African Americans rigorous STEM standards:
14,9% and Hispanics are
under-represented:
Engineering has
3,7% African Americans
20 states have adopted NGSS
the lowest
percentage of
females in
6,6% Hispanics states follow adapted
science
& engineering
10 versions of the NGSS
in STEM-related careers
fields /workforce

By starting early, we inspire It’s time to break stereotypes

children to become lifelong problem
solvers and STEM learners
of children thought engineering
is more for boys

Girls are twice as likely as

boys to say they aren’t good
at STEM subjects.
Girls are much more likely
of surveyed scientists and graduate students
than boys to choose negative
reported that their interest in science began
words to describe
before middle school (it always existed or
engineering, such as difficult,
began in elementary school!)
messy/dirty, or boring.

Help teachers introduce We need a generation of problem

innovative engineering solvers ready for the future.
practices to their classroom

EiE serves children and educators in

of elementary teachers do grades K–8 with research-based, teacher-
73% not feel adequately prepared tested curriculum materials for schools
to teach engineering. and out-of-school time programs.
of elementary science
1% teachers had at least one
college course in engineering.
 Wee Engineer PRESCHOOL/PRE-K
Four hands-on, engaging, developmentally
appropriate engineering challenges that fit easily
into your preschool or Pre-K setting and stations.
• Develops an understanding of how to solve
problems through a 3-step engineering design process
• Aligns with children’s development so they’re
able to practice skills they’re already developing in the
social, emotional, motor, cognitive and language
domains
Create the Next Generation
of Problem Solvers
Meet EiE.
We also offer a variety of professional
development workshops for teachers, teacher
educators, and out-of-school time providers to
help them build skills and confidence in
teaching engineering and technology in our
professional development workshops. And
through conference papers and publications,
we share the knowledge we’ve gained with the
national community of educational researchers.
GRADES 6-8
AFTERSCHOOL/
Engineering Everywhere OUT-OF-SCHOOl
Twelve engaging units that fit a range of settings with
learnercentered engineering activities and easy-to-use
lessons.
• Empowers youth to become more effective problem
solvers as they perform the steps of our age-
appropriate, 8-step engineering design process
• Builds 21st century skills as students learn to
collaborate, communicate, think critically, and present
their findings in an Engineering Showcase
EiE for Kindergarten KINDERGARTEN
Two hands-on, engaging, research-based engineering
units aligned to NGSS, incorporating an illustrated
storybook, and designed to introduce engineering and
problem solving to young learners.
• Uses EiE’s foundational 5-step Engineering Design
Process to support younger learners as they problem
solve
• Aligns to NGSS science and engineering standards to
help kindergarten teachers engage children in STEM
learning
GRADES 1-5
Engineering is Elementary IN-SCHOOL
Twenty standards-aligned, teacher-tested, units anchored in
your science curriculum and designed to engage students with
realworld challenges that are solved through creative
collaboration and hands-on activities.
• Motivates young learners to solve problems following a proven,
5-step engineering design process
• Deepens students’ understanding of math and science as a
foundation for STEM learning. Connects to ELA and social
studies
• Reaches all students to engage in ways that align with their
learning style. So all students can participate
• Exposes children to many fields of engineering so they
understand the role engineering plays in their lives and consider
engineering as a career
GRADES 3-5
AFTERSCHOOL/
Engineering Adventures OUT-OF-SCHOOL
Ten hands-on units centered on meaningful, real-world
openended problems engage learners in engineering
challenges that build confidence and familiarity with
engineering.
• Engages kids in engineering. Using a 5-step engineering
design process, students learn how to solve problems as
they explore the role engineering plays in their lives and
the world around them
• Builds 21st century skills as students learn to solve
problems and think critically to work through hands-on
challenges together. They learn to collaborate,
communicate, solve problems, and present their
solutions in an Engineering Showcase.