STEM Engineering Progression Through Grades K-5
This guide presents an example of a comprehensive, grade-by-grade engineering curriculum for elementary educators. It outlines a progressive sequence of hands-on STEM activities that build upon foundational concepts while integrating language arts and mathematics standards. Each grade level introduces age-appropriate engineering challenges that develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and scientific understanding through engaging, creative projects.
Kindergarten: Introduction to Engineering Basics
Core Concepts
Kindergarteners begin their engineering journey by exploring fundamental concepts of gravity, balance, and stability. Through playful building activities, students discover how objects interact with gravity and what makes structures stand or fall.
Example Lesson: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree
Students identify the problem in the book.
Students identify parts of a tree, build trees that can balance letters and practice counting with one to one correspondence. This activity introduces basic engineering principles while reinforcing letter recognition and counting skills.
Students decorate paper rolls with "coconuts" containing letters of their name. This activity introduces basic writing skills and fine motor skills such as cutting, gluing, and pasting.
Standards Integration
Science: K-PS2-1 (pushes/pulls), K-2-ETS1-1 (ask, imagine)
ELA: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 (retelling)
Math: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4-5 (counting and correspondence)
1st Grade: Building Structures
Core Concepts and Learning Progression:
First grade engineering builds upon kindergarten concepts with more challenging building materials and techniques. For example, students go from balancing and counting to creating strong bases to create balance and measuring.
Example Unit:
Using the Iggy Peck Architect book connection inspires students to think like engineers while developing key standards: K-2-ETS1-2 (model/design), PS4-1 (light), K-2-ETS1-3 (testing), and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3 (character/event description).
Index Card Towers
Students work in teams to build the tallest, most stable towers using only index cards. This challenge introduces concepts of base stability and structural integrity while promoting teamwork.
Spaghetti & Marshmallow Structures
Using spaghetti as support beams and marshmallows as connection points, students experiment with different structural designs while learning about material properties and gravity.
Keva Plank Construction
With Keva planks, students explore balance and symmetry while creating increasingly complex structures, developing spatial reasoning skills and understanding center of gravity.