Today, our young engineers explored the question: How do mechanical engineers think about machines? Building on what we learned from Leif Catches the Wind, we took a closer look at how machines move and how mechanical engineers design them to work efficiently. We also listened to a read-aloud of William Kamkwamba’s story: “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”, and discussed how William utilized the Engineering Design Process to help his community in Malawi. We also watched his TED talks, where he discussed that he engineered the windmill for his village at just 14 years old, and touched on the fact that no matter how old or young we are, we can impact our communities for the better with our creativity and engineering skills!

Students were surprised to learn how much of the world around them involves machines and how each part of a machine affects the others. Working in pairs, they observed and analyzed how different machines (an egg beater, a can opener, a glue stick, and a mechanical pencil) function and shared their ideas about how engineers must carefully consider how motion is transferred from one part to another.

To think like real engineers, students completed the “Think Like a Mechanical Engineer” activity, where they were challenged to examine how energy flows through machines. They also reflected on the pros and cons of different machine designs and discussed how improving even one small part of a system can lead to better performance.

As we wrapped up the lesson, students returned to the guiding question and confidently shared their new understanding of mechanical engineering. We’re seeing more critical thinking and collaboration each day, and it’s exciting to watch students become more curious and confident in their STEM skills.

🧠 Optional Extension Activity
Look around your home and pick a favorite machine (it could be a fan, a toaster, a pencil sharpener, etc.). Ask your child: