For every project we do in STEM, we always start out by focusing on the Engineering Design Process. This is a great mindset for the students to follow as it encourages them to Define the expectations for the project in advance, and also helps when they reach a snag or obstacle they must work around!

The Engineering Design Process allows students to:

-Define the Problem (often this is presented to them within the project)

-Brainstorm Solutions (This is often the Research portion)

-Select their Approach (The BEST part of STEM is there is no "one right answer")

-Make a prototype/design (Hands on application of their learning)

-Test/Evaluate/Redesign (It is an important life lesson to teach students that failure helps to point us in the right path!)

-Create a solution/share results (Students always have a chance to share their process/findings/results at the end of every STEM project. What would they change, what would they redo, how can we make it better!)