Technology Innovator is an engaging, hands-on STEM course designed to introduce elementary students to the exciting world of engineering, machines, energy, motion, and problem-solving using the wood STEM Engineering kit as the foundation. Through building and experimenting with physical models, students learn how everyday technologies work while developing creativity, critical thinking, persistence, and engineering-design skills. Students will explore how energy makes things move, how simple machines make work easier, and how engineers use design, testing, observation, and improvement to solve problems. The course emphasizes learning by doing. Students will spend more time building, experimenting, observing, and creating.  Each project becomes a starting point for investigation. 

 

Throughout the course, students will build and investigate a variety of mechanical and technology-based models inspired by real-world systems, including:

• Windmills and fans — investigating wind, air movement, and energy transfer

• ​Bionic and mechanical robots — exploring movement, mechanisms, and design

• Cars and moving machines — exploring wheels, axles, friction, and propulsion

• Generators and pumps — introducing energy transfer and mechanical systems

• Washing machines and other household machines — discovering the technology behind familiar everyday objects

​​

From Wood STEM to 3D Printing: Students will also have opportunities to create their own 3D models using Tinkercad. They may design functional or creative accessories such as: a table for an oscillating fan, a basin for a washing machine, a custom name tag to attach to their wood car, and other functional or creative add-ons to the wood STEM projects. At the end of each session, students will take home a completed project that they designed, built, and enhanced themselves—something they can proudly show their family and say, “I made this!”