An engineer is someone who…

Today, I started my second grade engineering class with a simple warm up to close out the end of our trimester. I gave them the prompt, “An engineer is someone who…” and asked them to fill in the blank. Their responses not only put a smile on my face from ear to ear, but also affirmed their understanding of engineering.

I created this graphic on canva.com to capture what my second graders had to share. I feel that teaching engineering with an emphasis on mindset helped my students understand deeply the way engineers think. I struggled for a long time to find a way to communicate that engineers aren’t just builders. Students perceived that engineers only build things. But, with the added focus on mindset and multiple project designs geared towards seeking and solving problems, students now have a much better sense of the complexities of the job of an engineer and the mindset it takes to be a problem seeker and solver. I also emphasize the design aspect because I want students to understand that many engineers are actually designing the machines, towers, bridges, and new technologies we enjoy. And, I believe the most important take away for my students is that creativity is at the heart of everything we do. Whether students become engineers in the future or not, I know that by allowing space for them to develop as creative human beings, we will empower our young students to solve problems and face the challenges of a society they have yet to build. I hope this little exercise can help you as you embark on engineering with your young students!