dedicated to building a strong STEM education foundation for all Iowans

Iowa Governors STEM Advisory Council

2013-14 Scale-Up Initiative
Engineering is Elementary
Project Description/Objectives: The Engineering is Elementary (EiE) project fosters engineering and
technological literacy among children. EiE has created a research-based, standards-driven, and classroom-
tested curriculum that integrates engineering and technology concepts and skills with elementary science
topics. EiE lessons not only promote K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning,
but also connect with literacy and social studies.

Grade Levels: EiE units are written for Basic (grades 1-2) or Advanced (grades 3-5) students, depending on
when the corresponding science topic is most commonly taught. EiE units can be used in any number or
orderthey do not follow a particular sequence and do not build upon each other. To choose the best unit for
your students, select the EiE unit that integrates with a science topic that students will learn
(http://www.eie.org/the-20-units). Each EiE unit:
includes a list of the major tie-in science concepts.
is mapped to several published science curricula (FOSS, GEMS, Insights, Science Companion, STC).

What is Provided by the Project: Engineering is a new discipline for elementary school teachers. To learn
more about engineering and technology content and pedagogy, the EiE project offers professional
development workshops for elementary school teachers.
Professional Development. - New EiE IA STEM grant teachers will attend a full day of professional
development; returning EiE IA STEM grant teachers will attend a half-day webinar.
Stipends, sub reimbursement and travel to attend professional development will be provided
Funded classrooms will receive funds for at least one EiE curriculum and materials set

What is Required by the School or local education agency (LEA) in order to implement this program:
Districts will provide professional release time for classroom teachers to attend PD
Materials will be reimbursed through the service provider,
Districts will use EiE units in conjunction with (or soon after) a corresponding science topic.
Each EiE unit takes about 6-8 hours of instructional time to complete.

Website to view program and Standards Alignment: To find out more about this national program go to
the Engineering is Elementary website (http://www.eie.org/).

Learn how EiE units link to:
the ITEEA Standards for Technological Literacy (http://www.eie.org/content/units-mapped-iteea)
the NRCs A Framework for K-12 Science Education"
the K-5 Science Standards for all 50 states and Washington D.C.
(http://www.eie.org/sites/default/files/eielinked_ia_final_0.pdf)

Program Video:
Engineering is Elementary video (http://vimeo.com/29327555)