Interdisciplinary learning

Engineering by its very nature is interdisciplinary, using skills and knowledge from different disciplines to solve problems.

Engineering challenges

Throughout the STEM Central resource are suggestions for engineering challenges connected to each learning context.

Challenges can be presented in a number of ways and tailored in terms of content, how involved they are or how they might be delivered to suit circumstances such as timetabling, time available and the delivery models of different establishments. Choosing new and more challenging contexts for learners to apply skills and knowledge allows them to deepen and progress their learning. 

Engineering challenges allow for knowledge and skills from different curriculum areas to be applied and for the development of engineering in education skills and attributes.

Engineering in education – learning and teaching

Developing engineering in education skills should allow for  opportunities  where learning mirrors the reality of professional  engineering:

• practical real life problems require research into relevant knowledge
• solutions require application of new knowledge
• evaluation leads to improved solutions.

Engineering contexts and challenges support the integrated teaching of science, technology and mathematics knowledge and understanding.

Effective experiential learning involves practical investigation, observation and reflection, development of concepts and testing concepts in new situations.

The teaching enables 'learning how to learn' by ensuring reflection on strategies for problem-solving, explanations by learners of their intentions, processes and solutions, constructive feedback, self- and peer assessment, learners managing their own problem-solving processes and space for learning.