Introducing the engineering design process to new STEM students is tricky. These engineering design process lesson plans will help your students become expert problem solvers and meet middle school engineering standards, while having a lot of fun!
Short on time? Grab these ready-to-go engineering design process lesson plans!
How It Works: A 5-Week Journey Through Engineering Design
Engage Your Students and Explore the Engineering Design Process
Kick off the unit by engaging your students in a fun design challenge. Students will construct their own understanding of the engineering design process by experiencing the problem-solving approach firsthand.
This background knowledge will help them make connections and learn vocabulary when you introduce the process in the next lesson.
Explain the Engineering Design Process
Next, give your students opportunities to discover the steps in the engineering design process, learn important engineering vocabulary, and observe as others apply the design process in real-world design challenges.
Combining direct instruction, video, and choice activities will keep your students engaged. This will also ensure they have a strong understanding of the design process and foundation in STEM.
Elaborate on Engineering in the Real World
Then, have your students investigate engineering careers through an engaging research project. They can explore various STEM careers and choose one type of engineering to learn more about.
Challenge your students to create a job advertisement that demonstrates what they learned about the career and present it to their peers.
Evaluate Mastery of the Design Process
To conclude the unit, your students can demonstrate their mastery of the design process through a traditional quiz.
They could also participate in another engineering design challenge where they can apply their new skills and knowledge.
What’s Included in This Complete Unit
Your download includes over 200 pages of resources that can be used individually or taught in sequence as a 5-week unit:
- Wind-Powered Car STEM Challenge
- Introduction to the Engineering Design Process lesson
- Criteria and Constraints Scavenger Hunt
- Decision Matrix Lesson
- PBS Design Squad Movie Guide and Activities
- Engineering Design Process Choice Board
- Engineering Design Process Quiz
- STEM Group Roles lesson
- Space Needle STEM Challenge
- Engineering Careers Research Project
Bonus Materials
- Engineering design process rubric for any STEM challenge
- Supply lists for stocking your STEM lab
- Donation letters for getting supplies from families and community
- Suggestions for finding free or low-cost materials
Each activity includes:
- Printable, Google, and Easel versions of student activities and worksheets
- Detailed lesson plans and slideshows
- Easy-to-use grading rubrics and assessments
- Flexible building materials lists
Implementation
This engineering design process unit is adaptable to various learning environments:
- In-Person Learning: Teach the complete 5-week sequence or use individual lessons within your existing STEM curriculum
- Virtual Learning: Assign lessons for virtual or asynchronous learning days
- Hybrid Format: Activities can be adapted for both in-person and remote instruction
- Emergency Plans: Leave as STEM sub plans
- Enrichment: Use as extra credit, holiday break packets, or extension activities
Students can work independently or in small groups during the hands-on challenge activities.
Since this may be students’ first introduction to engineering design, remember that designs not going as planned is perfectly normal!
Ready to Get Started?
Grab this unit today to get back your nights and weekends while knowing your students will be engaged learning the fundamentals of engineering.
You’ll get everything you need for 5 weeks of engaging instruction that will help your students master the engineering design process while having lots of fun!
