"It Could Be Diamonds, Bro": Examining Epistemic Practices in Middle School Collaborative Engineering Design Activities

• In Event: Diversity and Representation: Experiences That Support Effective Engineering Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Small group engineering activities offer opportunities to examine collaborative interactions and discourse as students make sense of engineering problems and design solutions. This study examined epistemic practices in small group learning experiences focused on engineering design problems in a middle school science class. Student discourse was analyzed to identify knowledge-building resources and epistemic practices used by students. Findings contribute to enhancing K-12 engineering teaching and learning with a focus on collaborative problem-solving throughout the engineering design process. Findings also highlight implications related to the structure and design of small group collaborative K-12 engineering learning experiences.

Authors

• Ramya Sivaraj, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Jeanna R. Wieselmann, Southern Methodist University

• Gillian Roehrig, University of Minnesota