One of the primary goals of engineering education is to promote the development of an engineering mindset. Also referred to as ‘engineering practices’ or ‘engineering habits of mind’, the engineering mindset refers to the values, attitudes, and thinking skills associated with engineering.
1. Real World Problems
2. Use of Systematic Engineering Design Process
3. Explore the Properties and Uses of Materials
4. Balance Criteria and Constraints
​5. Envision Multiple Solutions
6.   Apply Science and Math
7.   Evaluate Designs and Iterate
8.   Persist through and Learn from Failure
9.   Working Effectively in Teams
10. Identify and Engineers

Pathway to an Engineering Mindset

STEM and Engineering programs, activities, and curricula fall into a into a set of categories that represent an education pathway for students to use as they build their engineering skills and mindset. This sequence does not reflect a linear progression of knowledge and skills. Our intent is not to recommend that students do engineering activities before participating in an engineering club or competition. This is more of a framework to think about how students might develop their skills and provide “hand-off” points between categories.
1. Engineering Activities
2. Engineering Units
3. Afterschool Engineering Clubs
4. Club-based Engineering Competitions Teams
5. Summer Engineering Camps
6. Engineering Competitions
​7. Mentoring Opportunities
Click2Engineering - Teens Learning To Lead
​Do 
Click2ComputerScience’s new course, Teens Learning to Lead, is a great way to help new interns get prepared for working with youth.  It is a leadership course for high school and college-aged people designed for participants to complete on their own, or with a team.  We recommend that teams who will be teaching together over the summer complete the course together. Participants will need a computer and a journal for reflecting on their learning.  The reflection points can be the basis for discussions with a supervisor. mentor or coach that will help participants learn and grow as leaders.
This is a self-directed online learning experience offered at no cost by Click2ComputerScience.  The course is divided into four units with a culminating experience that lets participants apply what they have learned.

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Student Design Activities

Build Your Own Spacecraft - NASA
How would you like to be the chief engineer for an important NASA mission? In this activity, you get to design the latest and greatest satellite. Your satellite could help study things happening on Earth, take pictures of planets in our solar system, keep an eye on our Sun or even find planets elsewhere in the universe!
Hands-on Math: Fraction Math Trees
This fun hands-on, kinesthetic and visual approach to learning about fractions produces “math art”
NASA Solar Eclipse Map
Are you ready for the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses that will be visible across the US on October 14, 2023 and April 8, 2024? Connect with NASA to engage students and families:
Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven
Use easily found materials to create an oven where students can cook s’mores.  The activity answers the question “What has engineering got to do with me?” in a way that is fun. 
The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers
A collection of fun and easy activities for ages 4-18 that cover a broad spectrum of activities—everything from designing devices to address climate change to coding. ​

Science and Engineering Resources

To discover the engineering student design activities for previous months, click on the button below!
Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance
University of Hawai‘i
1776 University Avenue, ​WA1-102
Honolulu, HI 96822
808-956-6515