A Science Education Program for Grades 3-6
A Teacher's Discussion Guide Made Possible by ASME International 

This "Engineering Is For Everyone" Teacher's Discussion Kit was created by elementary school teachers with the support of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  It is designed  to help teachers in grades 3 thru 6 introduce their students to the ideas and problem-solving techniques that underlie many careers - especially those in engineering.  You may view these materials online or download them as a PDF file for easy printing.  PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print, which is a free download from Adobe.

A 12-minute videotape, also entitled, "Engineering Is For Everyone," is available and lets students "ride shotgun" on a quick trip through a science museum's learning fair - where they join the elementary school student narrator in experiencing some of the wonders of science. To order the video, "Engineering Is For Everyone" call 1-800-THE-ASME.

The program was designed to build on a classroom viewing experience, although the materials are self-supportive and can be used independent of the video.  In either manner, the teaching materials and student activities included should help "ease" your students into the sometimes-imposing world of science and mathematics - and do so in a way that clearly demonstrates the everyday usefulness of those problem-solving tools.

"The most important thing I learned," she tells the viewer while rocking on monkey bards, "is that math and science don't have to be scary."

In fact, the video shows the fun side of those subjects so often overlooked by students - the concept of buoyancy as demonstrated by aluminum foil boats; the idea of aerodynamics as shown by a child whizzing on a swing; and the overall concept of engineering as displayed in an enthusiastic, young inventor's "egg-frying machine."  These lessons are carried forward in the accompanying student activities and teacher's lesson plans, which will help you lead your class through real-life engineering processes - such as "creating the perfect classroom."  For specific fit into the class(es) you teach, this educational kit includes three different student activities - one focusing on music for younger students in grades 3 and 4, another about simple machines for students in grades 5 and 6, and a third that can be used by all the grades and is about creating an engineering alphabet.

At each of these levels, this unit stresses the everyday importance of the lessons being learned right now in your classroom, making the school-to-real-life connection that so many students need.  And it helps you build that important bridge in a comfortable and sometimes lighthearted approach - so students can see that science and mathematics (and eventually, engineering) are just tools that people use to solve problems.  That they have to be neither "scary" - nor "overwhelming." For, in the words of the film's young narrator, "they are just tools.  Like a hammer or a pencil - they help us do things."

About The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a worldwide engineering society focused on technical, educational, and research issues, with 125,000 members, including 24,000 students.  It conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds more than 30 technical conferences each year, and sets many industrial and manufacturing standards.