Curricula Research
This page contains information about existing elementary STEM curricula and projects designed by a variety of people, groups, organizations, and higher education institutions.
Jump to different sections on this page:
- David Burghardt, Hofstra University
- Gary Benenson, CUNY
- Boston Science Museum
- Linda Burroughs, College of New Jersey
David Burghardt, Hofstra University
- The Center for Technological Literacy: STEM Education K-16
- STEM Symposium Report (PDF download)
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Gary Benenson, CUNY
Gary Benenson is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the City College of New York, and Project Director of City Technology, an NSF-funded effort to promote and support technology education in the elementary grades.
- Consider purchasing Designed Environments, Mapping, Mechanisms and Other Systems, Packaging and Other Structures, and Signs, Symbols and Codes
- Complete City Technology Curriculum
- Pop-Up Books: Students investigate how commercially made pop-ups are constructed and then try to create their own. They do a series of experiments that reveal the mathematical relationships that allow pop-ups to open and close. Math topics include measurement, data collection, identifying patterns in data, representation, geometry, and generalization.
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Boston Science Museum
Boston Science Museum’s National Center for Technological Literacy developed the Engineering is Elementary (EiE) engineering education units. According to the EiE website:
Each Engineering is Elementary storybook features a child character from a different racial/ethnic background, and storybooks are set in countries all over the world. Over the course of the story, the child character, with the help of an engineering mentor, works to solve a problem using the engineering design process. The storybooks introduce readers to the field of engineering and the engineering design process and reinforce the relevant science concepts.
Each storybook features original illustrations, a vocabulary list, and a “Try It” hands-on activity.
Information regarding EiE research and assessment is available for public viewing at http://www.mos.org/eie/research_assessment.php. Access to additional information (including some of the professional development guides) is available after a free registration at http://www.mos.org/eie/unitpdfs/register.php.
A brief overview of the EiE curriculum:
- Intended to teach engineering design principles, not the science behind them
- Generally aimed at either grades 1 – 2 or grades 3 – 5, but modules have modifications to make the activities more or less challenging
- 15 different stand-alone units (proposing 5 more)
- Offers stories covering acoustical, aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, geotechnical, green, industrial, materials, mechanical, package, and transportation engineering and bioengineering
- Each module is intended to be completed in 8 to 10 40-minute class sessions
- Available for purchase at http://www.eiestore.com/
- Sells storybooks in paperback, hardcover, and teacher editions as well as materials kits for the activities (offers equipment lists without charge)
- Offers professional development to assist teachers with the concepts and pedagogy
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Linda Burroughs, College of New Jersey
Linda Burroughs recommends the following elementary engineering programs and projects:
- EDC Center for Science Education (Instructional Materials): Design It! Engineering in Afterschool Programs
- Various resources and activities from CEE: Children’s Engineering Educators, LLC
