Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way is a S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum designed for our elementary school age students that taps into students’ exploratory nature, engages them in learning that feels like play, and encourages them to keep discovering – now and for years to come. Students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and learn to try and try again when faced with challenges. Our first module is called Structure and Function; Exploring Design. In this module, students discover the design process, identify products around them designed by engineers, and use what they’ve learned to design their own paintbrushes. So far, our challenges have been based on folktales; Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs. Children designed and made "beanstalks" out of 10 pipe cleaners- the challenge being to make it as tall as possible! They also designed and built homes for the three pigs. We loved evaluating our structures by putting them to the test with a fan! We have talked a lot about structure (what does it look like?) and function (what does it do?). We have a class of budding engineers!