By Celine Singh, Queens University Student

My role at Hatch is a bit more unusual compared to any other co-op student. Given the fact that I am coming into this placement with a teaching background, my role is discover connections between engineering and subjects taught in elementary school. During my time at Hatch I have been provided with the opportunity to learn more about the work that the team is working on in Kingston for the Third Crossing Bridge. While working, and interacting with the engineers I have learned and understood the process involved when building a bridge. For example, I've learned that engineers need to consider the environment, species at risk, habitats and community involvement before designing a bridge. This is important for teachers to know about because most of the concepts taught are linked to the science curriculum. To demonstrate these key concepts of engineering from a teaching perspective I have created sample lesson plans. These lesson plans integrates certain topics of what engineers consider when working on a project to the specific expectations in the curriculum.

Connections to the Ontario Curriculum:

• Science (structures, environment)
• Social Studies (community)
• Literacy (written & oral)
• STEM         
• Math
• Art                               

In my opinion it is crucial for teachers to make these connections to engineering when teaching certain topics. These connections can help students to make a clear distinction between the work they are doing and real life scenarios.  In addition, I have also learned about the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in both engineering and as a teacher. For engineers they incorporate STEM in the everyday work they do.  Likewise, teachers can also instill this in students at a young age by providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate their work in a variety of STEM related activities. Teachers are the direct link in molding students into potentially future engineers.

Connection to the Environment

• As an educator it is your responsibility to teach students about the natural environment and most specifically how the plants, animals and species change and adapt according to the environment.

• Making the connection to real life scenarios can be very much applicable and easier for students to connect their learning to outside a classroom.

• Likewise, engineers do a lot of work related to the environment when designing, building and constructing certain things. For example, before an engineer moves forward, they have to first discuss how it would affect the environment before they proceed with their work.

• Overall Expectation: Students should be able to connect their learning on the following topics using an inquiry-based approach as to how it relates to engineering.

Connection of Engineering, Environment and the Curriculum

Connection to the following topics in the Ontario Science Curriculum:

• Understanding Life Systems
• Grade 1: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
• Understanding Structures and mechanism
• Grade 2: Growth and Changes of animals
• Grade 5: Forces acting on structures and mechanism
• Grade 3:  Strong and Stable Structures
• Understanding Life Systems
• Grade 4: Habitats & Communities         

 At Hatch most of the engineers conduct work that falls under these topics, which can be related to the Ontario Science Curriculum. The following pages would include sample lesson plan topics on these areas showing the connection of how it relates to engineering.