Explorations in Engineering

Explorations in Engineering introduces middle school students to the systematic engineering design process, guiding them through defining problems, developing solutions, testing prototypes, and optimizing designs. Designed for grades 6–8, this self paced online course integrates math and science standards throughout, helping students see how academic concepts apply in real engineering contexts.

Throughout the course, students learn to approach challenges with structured design thinking. They identify constraints, generate multiple solution ideas, evaluate trade offs, and refine their designs based on testing and feedback. Emphasis is placed on persistence, creativity, and analytical reasoning as students work through authentic engineering scenarios.

Students build practical technical skills including technical drawing, foundational CAD concepts, materials testing, and basic structural analysis. They apply geometric reasoning, measurement, and proportional thinking to ensure their designs are accurate and functional. Each module strengthens both conceptual understanding and hands on problem solving ability.

As the course progresses, students move from foundational design principles to more advanced technical applications, culminating in a comprehensive design evaluation. By the end of the course, students will have developed confidence in the engineering process, strengthened their quantitative reasoning skills, and gained insight into how engineers design solutions that improve the world around them.