TK Unit 4: WE ARE ENGINEERS!

This project introduces young learners to engineering through literature. After students gain an understanding of Engineers, they will help solve problems like an engineer. Students listen to stories, identify problems, and imagine and design solutions. Students use the Design Thinking Process to create solutions to problems found in fairytales like Humpty Dumpty, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Students build walls, bridges, towers, furniture, and other structures in order to have a deeper understanding of how engineers design solutions to help the world. Literature, songs, movement, and hands-on exploration are embedded into the lessons as well as performing arts. Students express their creativity in the final product as they create solutions for Harry the Puffball, an imaginary character with problems determined by the students. This project engages students in understanding that engineers help the world in many different ways and that they are engineers.