Design It! Engineering in After School Programs You are viewing a resource description from the Consumers Guide to Afterschool Science Resources.

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Resource Details for: Design It! Engineering in After School Programs Science Content Expert Review by: Shaileen Crawford Pokress Afterschool Program Expert Review by: John Ervin

Design It! Engineering in After School Programs Resource Description: Design It! is a field-tested, engineering-focused afterschool curriculum in which students build simple models of familiar technology and then improve upon their design. The program is hands-on and cooperative, with clear basic objectives as well as interesting extensions (good for programs with variable schedules). Design It! gives program leaders tips on logistics, facilitating discussions, and assessing children's work, making it easy for anyone to implement. Cost Category: More than $100 Price Details: Individual project parts are available at various prices, but for $139.95 you can purchase a complete set of 14 projects (Balls and Tracks, Pinball, Trebuchets, Gliders, Paper Bridges, Rubber Band-Powered Cars, Balloon Powered-Cars, Cardboard Constructions, Cranes, Blinking Lights, String Telephones, Straw Rockets, Spinning Toys, Sand and Water Clocks), and an Implementation Guide + FREE binder. Duration: A series of sessions that lasts at least one semester Format: Programs Delivered in Cumulative Sessions Grades: grades 2 to 6 Content Domain(s): physical science Part of Series?: yes URL: http://cse.edc.org/curriculum/designit/ Other Contact Information: To order Design It! project guides contact KELVIN at 280 Adams Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735; ph: 800-535-8469; fax 800-756-1025; Email: kelvin@kelvin.com or through the Website Reviews Detailed Review by John Ervin (reviewer bio): Short Synopsis: Design It! is well suited to the afterschool environment. The project guides are well developed, providing enough support and information that instructional leaders without strong science backgrounds can implement the projects successfully. Working in collaborative groups, students share their skills and strengths to solve the problems they encounter in building 14 projects—an approach that will appeal to the target population (children in second to fifth grade). The materials are durable and can be used multiple times; when they do need to be replaced, they are easy to find or inexpensive to purchase. Detailed Review by Shaileen Crawford Pokress (reviewer bio): Short Synopsis: Design It! comprises 14 engineering design projects for use in after-school science programs. The program guide provides all the information that instructors need to conduct the projects. Even instructors with little science or engineering background can successfully implement the curriculum. Design It! is aligned with the latest research in the field of science education. These materials address some of the ITEA standards, are hands-on, and engage traits shown to be important for a child’s understanding and retention. It has been field tested extensively, in many types of afterschool programs, and also in science centers and museums.