Table 1 STEM-ID curriculum overview

Sixth grade

“Carnival tycoon”

Students explore the engineering design process and entrepreneurial thinking in the context of a carnival. The course begins with students making a sales pitch for a new carnival food stand based on market research. Students then run experiments using a pneumatic catapult, and they must design a new carnival game board with appropriate odds of winning. Then, after skill development in engineering drawing, they re-design the catapult cradle to change the performance characteristics of their carnival game. Students incorporate math and science content, including data representation, probability, experimental procedures, profit calculations, drawing, and measurement.

Seventh grade

“Flight of fancy”

Students pose as new airline companies and redesign airplanes to be more comfortable, profitable, and environmentally friendly. This is accomplished through a series of challenges, starting with a test flight of different Styrofoam gliders. Students examine interior layouts, learn 3D modeling in Iron CAD, and finally, re-design a plane using a balsa glider as a model. Students incorporate math and science content, including measurement, proper experimental procedure, data analysis, and profit calculations.

8th grade

“Robot rescue”

The course is intended to further build student understanding of the engineering design process and entrepreneurship. The course begins with a short design challenge, requiring the students to design and 3D print a cell-phone holder. Students then conduct experiments using a bio-inspired walking robot. The course ends with an open-ended challenge to design a rescue robot capable of navigating variable terrain. During these challenges, students use LEGO® MINDSTORM NXT, 3D CAD modeling software, and 3D printing technologies. In addition, students incorporate math and science content, including modeling, data analysis, scientific procedure, force and motion concepts (e.g., velocity, speed, friction), and systems thinking.