The Design Process
2/16/2019
Part of the authenticity aspect in project based learning is having students follow real-world processes, the same processes that scientists, authors, readers, and engineers follow. During our Iditarod sled build, we follow the engineering design process. First, I define the problem and identify the constraints for students. Like an Iditarod musher, they must design their sled for the race. The design is their choice, but their dog must be able to pull their sled and they must be able to store their supplies inside their sled. The sled must run on the school carpet and be made out of classroom materials, such as cardboard, paper, and pipe cleaners. After researching Iditarod sleds, students set off to make their own designs. They carefully planned out what they wanted their sled to look like and what materials they would use to accomplish this. Finally, it was time to build. One of the reasons this is such a fun project is because students get to share it with you. With your help, our little engineers built their sleds and were ready -and eager- to test them. The test revealed areas in which the students need to improve their designs, whether it be more secure runners, a faulty harness, or some of the decorations and details. I was so proud of our little ones as they tested their sleds. Something we work on all year, that I believe goes hand-in-hand with any design process, is nurturing and developing a growth mindset. Before testing the sleds, we discussed what would happen if a sled broke or did not slide as well as intended. Students agreed that any mishaps would really just be an opportunity to improve their sleds and make them even better for the race. After testing, students did meet the many broken sleds with a positive attitude, eager to fix their designs and try again. When I told them I was proud of their growth mindset when their sleds broke during the test run, one of our sweet little ones said, "Of course it's not a big deal. We can just try again!" When children are encouraged to be makers, artists, designers, doers, and engineers, they develop creativity as well as important life skills, skills like creativity, risk-taking, and perseverance, that cannot otherwise be taught. Individuals with a growth mindset, creativity, and design thinking are ready to tackle problems in our world - and persevere until they solve them. They are the individuals that will desire to change the world for the better and have the skills to do so. And isn't that what we want for all of our sweet little ones? Thank you for being such an important part of nurturing our kindergartners creativity and allowing us to help them explore the world in such an authentic and fun way.
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Saania AliMs. Ali graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She specializes in Early Childhood Education, ESL, and Special Education. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and painting! Archives
April 2021
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