Bringing STEM to your classroom is about creating time and space for these important disciplines with equity and access for all. But it is also about creating opportunities for problem scoping, problem solving, creativity, design, collaboration and more!

Novel Engineering is a teaching method dreamed up at Tufts University. Students use existing classroom literature – stories, novels, and expository texts – as the basis for engineering design challenges that help them identify problems, design realistic solutions, and engage in the Engineering Design Process while reinforcing their literacy skills.

Before I read or watch the story, we sit in a circle and I do a quick Whip Around protocol and ask this question.... How do you like to be woken up in the morning?

Speed up to 1.5

Stop at 4:50 (In Novel Engineering, I often do not read the whole story. I like for my students to design their own ideas.)

Mouse, our new client, has asked us to design some alarm clock prototypes that will wake up bear! She wants to include him at the party!

(I use the idea of "a client" for Kinder and first grade engineers only. I want my engineers to know you can get paid to do this fun work and that it is an option for them! Often I have the clients pay them for their designs in healthy treats, etc.)

1. Check out your material tray. These are your constraints.

2. Take 5 mins, on your own, to come up with a labeled diagram of your idea for a prototype. Use the provided post-It-notes. (see examples)

3. At the timer, share your design with your partner.

4. Come up with a plan together. Can you combine your ideas? Draw out your final plans for your prototype on a piece of paper.

• Your labeled diagram should show the materials you are using AND how it will work! (There are some samples shown below!)
• The Post-it-Notes can stick on the back. (This is a great way to show process!)

5.Teacher check-in.

I like to have a Word Wall for my engineers as they make their labeled diagrams! It might look like this!

Next....

6. Make your alarm clock prototype. (It does not have to work exactly but moving parts are great if possible!)

7. Test it out!

8. Improve: Make changes to your design as needed. This is called iteration.

9. Be prepared to share your work.

In the classroom I always go over the norms and the presentation flow before sharing out! It often looks like this:

Norms:

Everyone participates

Be kind, helpful and specific

Celebrate everyone’s hard work

Flow:

Introduce yourselves

Share your prototype

Talk about the design process

(T.M.I. Think-Make-Improve)

Talk about the materials you used

Talk about teamwork (if applicable)

Thank you and any questions

Celebrations! (silent clapping is best!)

Problem scope, problem solve, help people, ....

-Constraints I typically have for this challenge include: tape, scissors, sharpies, yarn, index cards, paper, straws, popsicle sticks, caps, toilet paper rolls, cardboard, variety of size cups, recycled boxes, rubber bands, ....

-Music playing during the Work Time: Teddy Bear's Picnic by Jerry Garcia,...

Zoom Design Squad (reading pod): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RFMoVeHLjU

Amazing Kid Inventions! (Ellen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=QR_CfFuDWQ8&feature=emb_logo

Dream Big: Engineering our World (Grade 2+)

Big Hero 6 (Grade 2+)

• Design a friendly trap for ________! (stuffed animal, sister, elf on the shelf, etc.)

• Make forts.

• I love the idea of setting out a building material at night with a building challenge card for the early rising engineer! You can download some great challenge cards here! http://picklebums.com/building-challenge-cards/

• The perfect gift for your engineer? Here are some things to consider: marbles, masking tape, rain gutters (Home Depot), a stopwatch, cups and the quintessential cardboard box!

• Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

• Fairy Tales: Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears (design a chair for bear), The Three Little Pigs (https://www.smore.com/545ef-the-three-little-pigs), 12 Dancing Princesses (design an alarm system to alert the king), Beauty and the Beast (design the ultimate party poppers), Chicken Little (https://www.smore.com/s4yut-chicken-little)

• Stuck (design a tool to get the kite out of the tree)

• Bear Snores On (https://www.smore.com/vsca1-bear-snores-on)

• The Snowy Day (design a snowball keeper...ice cube insulation)

• Make Way for Ducklings (design a way to help the duckling cross the road)

• Where the Wild Things Are (friendly monster trap or a boat that can carry the monster home with wind power)

• The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch (NOTE: I don’t read the end of this story) (Design a way to protect the lunch)

• Westlandia (design your own game using upcycled materials and a bouncy ball)

• Gingerbread Baby (gingerbread house design)

• Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs (NOTE: I don’t read the end of this story. Help the dogs get off the roof)

• The Dunderheads (design a bungee cord escape for the kitty)

• Those Darn Squirrels (design a better birdhouse)

• Gallimoto (toy making)

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (design a prototype that helps the environment)

http://www.novelengineering.org/