Our Kindergarten has recently established a close and dynamic collaboration with the Boston Museum of Science, adopting and implementing the Engineering Design Process (EDP) model. Through this partnership, and supported by continuous professional development, our teachers integrate this educational methodology into the framework of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
The Engineering Design Process (EDP) is an experiential learning process that includes the steps engineers use to solve real-world problems. It fosters the development of skills, dispositions, and Habits of Mind that are essential for lifelong learning.
Through this methodology, students solve problems related to their everyday lives. They build on their prior knowledge, think creatively, apply engineering practices, use a variety of communication methods, and collaborate to develop original solutions.
In the Kindergarten, through the Engineering Design Process (EDP), our students:
- Learn to think and act like young engineers by asking questions, imagining solutions, experimenting, and learning from their mistakes.
- Connect theory with practice, making learning experiential and meaningful.
- Develop 21st-century skills—including creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and perseverance—in full alignment with the philosophy of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Engineering Design Process (EDP) methodology, students develop knowledge through an interdisciplinary approach by making connections across all areas of learning. Language, mathematics, science, the arts, and personal and social development are not taught as isolated subjects; rather, they interact with one another so that learning becomes more meaningful and experiential. In this way, children gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, learn to make connections between their experiences, and apply their knowledge in real-life situations.