Page 155 - Standards for K-12 Engineering Education

Standards for K-12 Engineering Education?

140 STANDARDS FOR K–12 ENGINEERING EDUCATION?

measure materials, setting up a testing apparatus that allows for quantitative comparisons of different
materials and structures, etc.

Habits of Mind

The engineering design requires a different mind set from the mind set appropriate to science,
mathematics, or any other academic field. We’ve divided these “habits of mind” into three areas: (7)
systems thinking; (8) teamwork; and (9) societal and environmental impacts of technology.
7. Systems thinking is a way of approaching problems with a recognition that all technologies are
systems of interacting parts that are, in turn, embedded in larger systems. While it may be argued that
systems thinking is both a big idea and a skill set, we have chosen to list it as a habit of mind to
emphasize that systems thinking is—more importantly—a worldview.
Grades K–5: Young children can learn that things consist of interacting parts. Our bodies, for
example, are natural systems that contain many different parts that act together to keep us alive and
active. Children should consider many other systems as well, both technological and natural. In
addition, young children can learn that everything is connected to everything else, so damage to one
part of a system may affect the function of the system as a whole. Food webs are frequently
presented to elementary students as systems, but many other examples should also be presented.
Grades 5–8: Middle school students can learn that complex technological systems require control
mechanisms. The essence of control is comparing information about what is happening to what
people want to happen and then making appropriate adjustments. This procedure requires sensing
information, processing it, and making changes. The common thermostat can serve as a model for
control mechanisms. Students should explore how controls work in various kinds of systems—
machines, athletic contests, politics, the human body, and so on. Students should also try to invent
control mechanisms that they can actually put into operation. As a habit of mind, understanding
systems at the middle school level means that whenever students approach a new problem they
consider the system as a whole, how it functions, and how it is controlled.
Grades 9–12: High school students should have opportunities to explore more complex technological
systems, including how technologies interact with social and cultural systems. They should be aware
that complex systems have layers of controls. Some controls operate particular parts of the system,
and some control other controls. Even fully automatic systems require human control at some point.
High school students should also be able to analyze technological systems using the ideas of universal
design and life cycle analysis. The universal design model involves analysis of goals, inputs and
outputs, internal processes, feedback, and control. Life cycle analysis of a device or process involves
how it will be manufactured, operated, maintained, replaced, and disposed of and who will sell,
operate, and take care of it. As a habit of mind, students are able to break out of the narrow definition
of a problem and reflect on the relevant systems and how they affect, and in turn are affected by, new
and improved technologies.
8. The desire to encourage and support effective teamwork is a hallmark of capable engineering work,
since no single individual is likely to bring to a problem situation all of the necessary knowledge and
skills for a good solution.

Grades K–5: A predisposition to work with others and contribute effectively on a team takes many
years to develop, preferably beginning in elementary school. In the early elementary years it is
challenging for students to consider other students’ ideas, especially if they conflict with their own
ideas. By the end of fifth grade students should be able to do this well and to reflect what they like
about working on teams and what conflicts that they try to avoid. They should also be aware that

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