Tech and engineering skills are becoming increasingly important for school, life, and work; the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have raised engineering design to the same level as scientific inquiry. When students engage in engineering practices, they'll be better able to solve environmental and societal problems that affect us today -- like preventing disease, maintaining clean water supplies, and dealing with issues related to climate change. And while physical, off-screen engineering is as critical as ever, online systems like artificial intelligence and 3D virtual models are crucial too. Plus, the process of designing, creating, and iterating serves students in more areas than engineering itself. So, get your kids ready with these fun, intuitive intros to the basics, platforms for creation, and hubs for inspiration.
Kids use block code and wireless blocks to program, design, and create
Bottom Line: With some perseverance, it's a great fit for PBL and STEAM, helping students learn programming skills and engineering concepts through invention.
Endless collection of DIY projects; good for sharing and inspiration
Bottom Line: User-generated projects inspire sharing and learning, though more refined navigation would make it easier to sift through all the great ideas.
Useful home design tool held back by bugs and a lack of help
Bottom Line: The paid version has potential as a design tool, but it'd benefit from more thorough educational materials like a thorough tutorial and/or a community.
Treasure trove of lesson resources will benefit from adaptation
Bottom Line: For teachers with time to sift through and adapt materials, PBS LearningMedia has a lot to offer with some highly useful support materials.
Female engineers give girls career advice on this visually appealing site
Bottom Line: Empowering tool encourages girls to explore engineering but is mostly static and best-suited for choosing courses and looking at colleges.
Budding engineers create design solutions with fun physics puzzler
Bottom Line: A fun, engaging way to boost critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about important science and engineering practices.
Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines
Bottom Line: Hands-on problem-solving leads to great fun and independent learning with the right curricular wraparound to connect what kids are doing with what they need to know.
Spiraling sandbox of adventure and creation gets kids to dig deep
Bottom Line: An irresistible and seemingly limitless incubator for 21st century skills that, with a little guidance, can chart new courses for learning.
Science-based shipbuilding mission sim is valuable but shows its age
Bottom Line: A serviceable simulation for teacher-led physics or engineering lessons, or for students to get a feel for how different types of ships are designed and handle on the open seas.
Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim
Bottom Line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.
