Embedding Mathematics in Engineering Design Projects

For many years, students and faculty at the University of Virginia have been developing materials to teach pre-college students about engineering. These materials, Engineering Teaching Kits (ETKs), introduce and reinforce concepts from mathematics and science in the context of engineering design challenges. Age-appropriate mathematics are embedded in all of our ETKs, but we do not explicitly teach it. Rather, we use inductive learning principles via project-based learning challenges that lead students through exercises involving experimentation and measurement; data collection, analysis, and display; estimation and prediction; and budgeting and making trade-offs. For example, data representation and computation are essential skills for engineering problem solving. In working through the challenges, students gain practice and comfort in applying the mathematics, logic, and problem solving skills needed to solve engineering design problems. We provide examples of how mathematics are embedded in ETKs after providing an introduction to the kits.