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

Student Design Activities

Straining out the Dirt
Learners take on the role of environmental engineers as they design water filters. Learners see how polluted water can become clearer when passed through their filter of sand, marbles, granulated activated carbon, and cotton balls.  
Ancient Observatories: Chichén Itzá
In this activity students play the role of archeologists, and use math concepts to decipher the Dresden Codex, an ancient Mayan document. The lesson provides students with historical background and exposure to how archeologists figure out what ancient documents mean.  
Small Moon Big Sun 
In this activity, learners explore how distance can affect the way we perceive the size of an object. It also introduces learners to solar eclipses as well as the Sun and Moon's sizes and distances from Earth. 

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