As part of the European educational program ENGINEER, ten different “challenges” have been developed in various fields of applied engineering.
The “challenges” are instructional modules/lessons and serve as a useful toolkit for teachers to present science and technology in an enjoyable and entertaining way in the classroom. In this way, students are introduced to Applied Engineering at a very early age, develop knowledge and skills, and can receive guidance in selecting relevant courses in high school.
The “challenges” in Applied Engineering are intended for students in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school and the 1st grade of middle school. Each of these has been designed by science centers and museums in ten different countries (one “challenge” from each country) in collaboration with elementary school teachers.
Student groups, following a 5-step process ("ask," "imagine," “design,” “build,” “improve”) to apply principles of applied engineering in order to solve a simple practical problem, for example, to build a small glider capable of carrying messages from one person to another or a plant-watering system. Each “challenge” begins with the students investigating the problem and “discovering” for themselves the science they need to know in order to solve it. Students then use the knowledge they have acquired to design appropriate solutions that will meet the requirements of the problem.
