The Influence of Toy Design Activities on Middle School Students' Self-Efficacy in Engineering Design

• In Event: 53.082 - Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: 53.082-3 - Special Topics in Engineering and Computer Science: Engineering Design, Computational Thinking, and Assessment

Abstract

Engineering design activities have been shown to aid middle school students in developing design thinking and applying engineering design concepts. However, traditional classrooms often lack hands-on engineering design experiences, leaving students unprepared to solve real-world design problems. In this study, we conducted a toy design workshop for middle school students, and investigated the influence of the toy design workshop on students' self-efficacy and development in concepts about engineering design. This research also demonstrates research tools such as self-efficacy surveys for probing middle school students’ engineering design learning. Findings from this research provides insights into the key elements of middle school students’ engineering design learning and the benefits of engaging middle school students in hands-on toy design workshops.

Authors

• Ninger Zhou, University of California - Irvine

• Nielsen Pereira, Purdue University

• Tarun George, Purdue University

• Karthik Ramani, Purdue University