Home > Resources Tools Engineering Mindset September 23, 2023 The Moonshot believes that one of the primary goals of engineering education is to promote development of an engineering mindset. An engineering mindset refers to the attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering — using a systematic engineering design process, considering real-world problems, applying math and science, and working in teams. Using these skills and many more, engineers design objects, systems, or processes that address the needs and desires of people, animals and society. The Moonshot focuses on 10 engineering practices. An overview of each practice follows and subsequent briefs will explore each one individually. Engineering education promotes the development of an engineering mindset – attitudes and thinking skills associated with engineering. An overview of all 10 engineering practices is available to download. Download the overview. 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset Resources that explore each practice in-depth: Consider real-world problems. Children consider problems they are solving in context. Learn More Use as systematic engineering design process. Children use a specific problem-solving process. Learn More Explore materials. Children investigate the properties and uses of materials. Learn More Balance criteria and constraints. Children consider constraints and criteria that require trade-offs. Learn More Envision multiple solutions. Children envision multiple solutions. Learn More Apply math and science. Children apply science and math knowledge to problem solving. Learn More Evaluate and iterate. Children evaluate designs and make improvements. Learn More Persist and learn from failure. Children persist and learn from failure. Learn More Work in teams. Children work effectively in teams. Learn More Identify as engineers. Children envision themselves as engineers. Learn More Engineering Practices Webinars Engineering Practices Part 1 A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following three of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Consider real-world problems, 2) Use a systemic problem-solving process, and 3) Explore the properties and uses of materials. Engineering Practices Part 2 A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following three of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Balance criteria and constraints, 2) Apply science and math, and 3) Envision multiple solutions. Engineering Practices Part 3 A Moonshot webinar recording to review the following four of the ten Engineering Practices: 1) Evaluate designs and iterate, 2) Persist and learn from failure, 3) Work effectively in teams, and 4) Identify as engineers. Need a Place to Get Started with Engineering? Engineering Activities: Find hands-on experiences or creative challenges to build youth confidence in their ability to come up with new, innovative solutions. Engineering ProjectsThese are a series of meaningful, relevant activities that progress into a meaningful project that present engineering as a multi step process that includes various phases, such as conducting background research, brainstorming ideas, building technologies, and testing/evaluating solutions. Engineering Clubs Devoted exclusively to engineering, these clubs allow youth to form a community and encourage the engineering mindset by working in teams, persisting through failure and creating a culture of innovation. Club-based Engineering Competition TeamsThese engineering clubs meet regularly under the supervision of a leader or instructor who helps prepare the club for some kind of team competition. In the club meetings, kids work together to complete a specific project that will be submitted for judging. Summer Engineering CampsMulti-day immersion allows for powerful opportunities for kids to build relationships with peers and mentors and to develop science and engineering practices and habits of mind. Students see their own skills developing and begin to self-identify as engineers. Mentoring OpportunitiesConnect kids with role models through work with local engineering professionals. Students build their engineering mindset through experience in academic, industrial, or governmental workplaces. In addition, students receive guidance on their career and personal development. Note: These ideas can be implemented in any order, at any time.
