Engineers-in-the-Making

Engineers often define their work as 

design under constraint. 

Every day children in pre-k work hard building structures in the block area facing many constraints and limitations. They must consider space, number-of-blocks available, size, materials, other children who weren't part of the original plan, and, of course, GRAVITY!

They are inspired to communicate successes through drawing, speaking, and writing.

Children learn to work together, negotiate with one another and problem solve when disagreements or failures occur!

It's also fun to use other props during block play. 

One idea grows into another and it is a joy to witness. The level of collaboration necessary to end with this type of result is incredible. At this point in the school year, the children are more tolerant and accepting of ideas of their peers and the result is a more elaborate and sophisticated structure. Amazing!

Click on the video to listen to a small group of builders explain this structure and all its features. We are beginning to learn HOW to explain our thinking.

Another piece of this massive block building is using math skills to plan and figure out how to put all those blocks neatly and efficiently back onto the block shelf. Decisions have to be made... which little blocks fit onto bigger blocks of the same shape? Some kids are so good at this. It's fascinating to watch.

I wonder if this type of playing will lead to future STEM careers for these kiddos?!? It's possible!!