STEAM: Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math
Our next stop on exploring the STEAM acronym brings us to one of the more challenging - but rewarding - letter: E for Engineering!
According to dictionary.com, engineering is "the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures." As an activity leader, this is the time to really encourage kids to let their imaginations run wild! Many people (both young and old) think that engineering is just about building things and making them structurally sound, but it's our job as librarians to remind our students and patrons that there's just as much creativity that goes into engineering as all the other parts of STEAM! Let's get into a few examples, broken down by age range.
Young Children (Ages 2-5)
If you want young children to get interested in engineering and building things, there's really only one word you need to know: Lego! Lego (and their preschooler-friendly large alternative Diplo) blocks are one of the simplest, easiest, and engaging ways to get kids thinking about structures! You can have them free-build, give them an idea for a specific structure (bridge, tower, or a whole city), or give them building instructions to follow. This website offers a TON of ideas on how to use Legos in your library program!
Elementary-Aged Children (6-12)
This is really the perfect age to get kids working on more complex engineering projects. I've personally taught many kids in this subject, and I've had lots of success in teaching kids about things like bridge structures and basic engines like windmills and water wheels. This website details an experiment that will teach kids about building structures and concepts like balance. Make sure that your engineering projects are as hands-on as possible! Kids like to see what they are building as they build it.
Teens (13-18)
Teenagers are a lot of fun to teach engineering, as they are usually already well aware of concepts such as structural integrity, gravity and basic mechanics. They have advanced motor skills by that age and are therefore much better prepared to tackle a challenging project or experiment. A great example of this is a homemade catapult, like the one found on this page. The original design is simple, but the beauty of this activity is that it can easily be expanded upon: adding more materials, using different "ammo", or making the entire thing bigger or smaller are all ways to expand on this idea. Teens will be able to use their imaginations while also having fun trying to knock things over. Just make sure they clean up after.
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