Introducing Engineering Design to a Science Teaching Methods Course Through Educational Robotics and Exploring Changes in Views of Preservice Elementary Teachers

Abstract

Engineering has become an important subject in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which have raised engineering design to the same level as scientific inquiry when teaching science disciplines at all levels. Therefore, preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) need to know how to integrate the engineering design process (EDP) into their science teaching. In this article, we describe how we used the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Kit as part of a NGSS-aligned engineering unit in an elementary science teaching methods course to introduce EDP to PSTs. The use of educational robotics in introduction to engineering courses is not new in higher education institutions. However, integrating engineering through robotics in elementary teacher training is unique. PSTs, with no prior programming or robotics experience, were introduced to NGSS science and engineering practices, nature of engineering (NOE) ideas, and the Engineering is Elementary EDP via the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Kit. We found that PSTs improved their NOE views after experiencing the engineering unit.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erdogan Kaya

Erdogan Kaya and Ezgi Yesilyurt are science education doctoral students, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Anna Newley

Anna Newley is a middle school science teacher at Sonoran Science Academy in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hasan Deniz

Hasan Deniz ([email protected]) is an associate professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Ezgi Yesilyurt

Erdogan Kaya and Ezgi Yesilyurt are science education doctoral students, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Patrick Newley

Patrick Newley is an English teacher at the Southwest Leadership Academy in Phoenix, Arizona.