Course Design Principles
Engineer Your World has built a community of educators and learners who embrace engineering as a creative, analytical approach to problem-solving. Our programs spark student interest in engineering and empower them to find solutions to challenges large and small, academic and real-world.
Course Design Principles
Engineer Your World courses were designed by faculty in the Cockrell School of Engineering and College of Education, both top-10 programs, in collaboration with NASA engineers and secondary education specialists. The curriculum design was guided by six principles based in learning sciences research.
Design Principle #1
Tightly Scaffolded
The engineering learning objectives of each unit are specific and are useful to students in subsequent units.
Design Principle #2
Engineering Design Process is Central
The curriculum employs a standardized engineering design process as an instructional framework.
Design Principle #3
Authentic Engineering Practices
Students are engaged in meaningful (if simplified) versions of the practices of engineers.
Design Principle #4
Math and Science Are The Tools
of Engineering Design
Student work is contextualized within STEM design challenges that can only be completed through the purposeful application of engineering principles and relevant science and mathematics concepts that are clearly necessary for the successful completion of the projects.
Design Principle #5
The Message Matters
The STEM design challenges make clear engineering’s potential to impact in a positive manner human health and the environment.
Design Principle #6
There is No Right Answer
All STEM design challenges have multiple successful solutions.