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 Community of Practice
​The Click2Engineering community of practice (CoP) introduces out-of-school time educators to the basics of engineering and leading engineering activities with youth. The CoP is organized around the 10 Practices for an Engineering Mindset, and includes hands-on engineering activities, developing engineering experiences for youth, and learning skills to facilitate engineering practices.  The CoP is four meetings over 8 weeks. 
Click HERE to register

Student Design Activities

STEM in Space!
​Lesson teaches about the ways a space rover can help NASA engineers learn more about Mars and test new technologies. 
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Genetic Engineering 
Learn about how farmers have been using genetic engineering for years to protect our crops from diseases and discover the advantages of it.
Design a Watercraft
Design and build a boat out of straws and plastic wrap that can hold 25 pennies for at least ten seconds before sinking.
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Science and Engineering Resources

23andMe Children's Books
Find a list of picture books on DNA and more information about the 23andMe Education Program, which is designed to support and advanced genetic education.
DNA Day​
Celebrate DNA Day by conducting extraction experiments, chat with STEM professionals, and explore different events and activities!
Human Body Recipe
In this lesson for grades 5-7, students work though an example showing how DNA provides the "recipe" for making human  body proteins.
CRISPEE Gene-Editing
CRISPEE is a tangible tool for young children ages 5-8 to explore the metaphor of a coding language for living organisms. This developmentally appropriate tool teaches children concepts of gene-editing.
Science Buddies Activities 
​This resource provides free hands-on activities for families and educators on environmental advocacy, role models, and environmental friendly strategies.
Exploring STEM in Space 
​NASA-funded STEM resources for students in grades 3-8. All resources are research-based and classroom-tested. They are designed to support students’ understanding of space!
Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance
University of Hawai‘i
1776 University Avenue, ​WA1-102
Honolulu, HI 96822
808-956-6515