At B.B. Comer Elementary School all STEAM disciplines are integrated into STEAM learning experiences with an emphasis on processes and practices associated with STEAM. While the Engineering Design Process has been imbedded into lessons when the concept of STEAM was first introduced to our students six years ago, we have since adopted a school-wide Engineering Design Process that is integrated within lessons with students in preschool through sixth grade. Our STEAM teacher created an Engineering Design Process clip chart that is used by both teachers and students throughout the course of STEM project work. Our students not only follow the Engineering Design Process, but they understand how the lingo, processes and practices of the EDP steps are beneficial to their everyday student life. Moreover, checklists and rubrics are used so that students understand the expectations as well as the process and procedures that will be necessary to earn all of the points possible for each STEM project. All STEAM projects integrate multiple subject areas so that students will better understand that STEAM is an important part of all content area disciplines.
EDP Clip Chart that BBCES students use to show which step of the EDP they are on within their design challenge. These posters appear in all classrooms throughout the school.
At BBCES, it is an expectation that all teachers school-wide integrate the Engineering Design Process components into instructional practices and all content areas with students. This is showcased in their lesson plans, station work, and/or PBL projects. In addition, students are expected to understand how to apply the Engineering Design Process when given challenges to solve.
Second grade students followed the EDP to make 3 scarecrows stand up without falling over.
Students used the Engineering Design Process to create a tape snowflake and code Ozobot to roll on their design. The following shows how each step of the engineering design process was used.
Mr. Will, a student at BBCHS, is performing a read aloud to students. Students completed a Maker Space activity about the literature.
Students in grades Pre-K-2nd grade participate in a weekly read aloud with Mrs. Bryant. After the read aloud the students complete a STEAM challenge that is related to the literature. Student apply the EDP when completing this task.