Engineering for Kids: A fun, interactive introduction to engineering
When you learn about the backgrounds of Alison and Bryden Wright, it’s clear that you couldn’t have engineered a better team to head up the Engineering for Kids (EFK) franchise in Regina.
Alison has a Bachelor of Education and taught for nine years, while Bryden has his Professional Engineering Designation and works in the oil and gas industry in southeast Saskatchewan. Together, they’re delivering interactive S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) educational programming that encourages students to consider engineering as a possible career path.
“We read about EFK and Dori Roberts – the founder and CEO – in a magazine. Dori described that there was a lack of engineering programs to enroll her then six and eight-year-old children and that is why she started the program,” Alison said. “Bryden and I agreed that there were not enough opportunities and programs offered here in Regina that presented STEM education to young children.”
In November of 2015, the Wrights became owners of the Regina franchise, which at the time was only the second in Canada (Saskatoon is also home to a franchise). Since then, they’ve been offering a range of classes unlike many things taught in a school setting.
Through the Lego Wedo Robotics course, children ages 4-7 follow building instructions on a laptop computer to build an animal (such as hungry alligator). They then move on to the programming stage, using a drag-and-drop method while learning about gears, motors and sensors.
In the Hardware Engineering Makey Makey course, children ages 7-14 use a Makey Makey kit and simple everyday objects (foil, popsicle sticks, etc.) to make game controllers. One activity has students connect celery sticks to alligator clips and wires, with the celery sticks becoming different musical keys on a piano.
The owners say one of the most popular programs is MinecraftEDU for children ages 7-14. Students rely on the engineering design process to solve a series of challenges such as building a city on a series of islands, escaping from a bunker on Mount Everest, or building a rocket to land on the moon.
“EFK is beneficial because we provide exciting, hands-on activities that introduce students to new vocabulary and encourages critical thinking. How often do you hear a fouryear-old talking about motors and sensors or a nine-year-old
describing application of circuitry?” Bryden said.
The Wrights said they welcome all types of learners at EFK, including those who sometimes struggle in other areas or maybe haven’t found their “thing” yet.
“For so many of our students, EFK has become their ‘thing’,” Alison said. “Several of our students have joined us for more than one program/camp and continue to return because they love what we do. One student joined us for a robotics class last fall and it turned out that he knew more than we did about robotics and programming. He was such a great help in that class that we decided to have him as an EFK volunteer.”
The Wrights say interest has been rapidly growing in EFK, largely thanks to social media. When they held their grand opening in February 2016, over 700 people were in attendance.
“We have received wonderful feedback from parents and students about our programs,” Bryden said. “Parents are pleased that their kids are having fun and learning at the same time.”
To keep the momentum going, EFK has a diverse slate of offerings this fall.
On Tuesday evenings at George Lee Elementary School, kids will have the chance to design their own version of a platform game, creating everything from the backgrounds and hero characters to the obstacles and enemies. On Thursday evenings at the Glencairn Recreation Centre, students will learn to use the engineering design process to design, create, test, and refine a balsawood bridge designed to withstand the greatest force.
On Saturday afternoons at the North West Leisure Centre, the focus will be on teaching students to design and program robots to protect the ocean and ocean life by releasing a dolphin into the ocean, fixing a broken pipeline and maintaining an oil platform.
For more information on fall programming, visit http://engineeringforkids.net/location/regina.