Tufts CEEO shares expertise in K-8 engineering education

Leveraging decades of research and experience in pre-college engineering education, faculty and staff from the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) at Tufts are publishing a book about K-8 engineering education. In recent years, engineering education has been implemented more widely across elementary and middle schools. In response, CEEO Director Merredith Portsmore, CEEO Director of Outreach Elissa Milto, and Research Assistant Professor Chelsea Andrews collaborated with Tufts alumnus and Associate Professor Christopher Wright, EG11, of Drexel University to provide a useful guide for educators.

Released on December 31, “Introducing Engineering in K-8 Settings: Fostering Children's Powerful Design Ideas” supports educators as they incorporate STEM education into their classrooms. The book appeals to a range of experience levels, from those who have never facilitated engineering activities to seasoned experts looking to improve their practice. The authors pull together the latest STEM education research along with case studies to present relevant, engaging advice.  

Throughout the book, they advocate for hands-on, open-ended engineering education that is relevant and personally meaningful for students. All the materials presented in the book are adaptable to varying skill levels and student needs. The authors incorporate practical implementation strategies as well as 15 lesson plans with instructions for modification if needed. Their approach is specifically tailored towards engineering for children, as a distinct group from professional engineering. Through the activities and pedagogical approach, they hope to expand students’ engineering thinking and build skill sets to help students potentially become professional engineers in the future.

According to the authors, “Engineering projects require more than standards, proficiency, or simply getting the correct answer. These projects engage students in authentic discourse as they work creatively and collaboratively to solve complex problems.”

Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to creating the problem solvers of tomorrow by empowering all students, from kindergarten through college, with innovative, research-based engineering experiences. A leading innovator in engineering education, Tufts CEEO brings together researchers in engineering, computer science, education, and child development to conduct research on learning and teaching, develop technological tools to transform the classroom, and create outreach experiences that connect their research with students and teachers around the globe.