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Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED)
The Targeted Math-Science Partnership of Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) vision is to increase grade 3-6 student learning of science by developing Indiana's first integrated, engineering design-based approach to elementary/intermediate school science education. The partnership involves Purdue University's colleges of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Education working with four Indiana school districts: Taylor Community School Corporation, Plymouth School Corporation, Lafayette School Corporation, and Tippecanoe School Corporation. The project is devising a design- and standards-based curriculum, inventing design-informed science instructional methods, and implementing on-going assessments to inform the project at the pre- and in-service teacher education levels in central Indiana. The partnership is using summer institutes, linkages with Purdue pre-service teachers, cyber-infrastructure, action research, and graduate coursework to equip teachers with design-based pedagogical skills and science content. An external advisory board consisting of recognized experts in science education, mathematics education, and engineering design meet annually to provide input to the project team.

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Project Contributions

Investigating Elementary Teachers’ Tensions and Mitigating Strategies Related to Integrating Engineering Design-Based Science Instruction
"The adoption of engineering design-based science teaching requires elementary teachers to modify their current science pedagogy, often resulting in tensions or hard choices they must make in their teaching practice.…
Examining Elementary School Students’ Transfer of Learning Through Engineering Design Using Think-Aloud Protocol Analysis
"The introduction of engineering practices within the Next Generation Science Standards provides technology educators with opportunities to help STEM educators infuse engineering design within a core curriculum. The introduction of…
SLED Design Resources
"Design resources that consist of lesson plans in which an engineering design-based activity serves to anchor the teaching and learning of science (and in some cases math) concepts for students…
Examining Elementary School Students' Mental Models of Sun-Earth Relationships as a Result of Engaging in Engineering Design
"Current reform efforts in science education in the United States call for students to learn science through the integration of science and engineering practices. Studies have examined the effect of…
Impact of Elementary School Teachers' Enacted Engineering Design-Based Science Instruction on Student Learning (Fundamental)
Engineering design is viewed as a vehicle through which scientific knowledge and real-world problem-solving skills can be constructed, refined, and enhanced. With the adoption of new national science standards in…
Tracking Science: Following the STEM Trend
"With the most recent version of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States 2013), implementing science lessons that embed engineering, technology, and mathematics concepts becomes imperative. Designing and constructing…
Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED)
Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) is a targeted Math Science Partnership (MSP) project of Purdue University and partner school districts in Indiana. The goal of the SLED partnership is…
Collaborations in a Community of Practice Working to Integrate Engineering Design in Elementary Science Education
Posted by: James Lehman . The new standards for K-12 science education in the United States call for science teachers to integrate engineering concepts and practices within their science teaching in order to improve student…
Purdue helps teachers engineer fun science projects
Posted by: James Lehman . News article about the Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) MSP project published in the Lafayette Journal and Courier on June 17, 2012.
Creating Shared Instructional Products for Integrating Engineering Education in the Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) Partnership
"The goal of this paper is to examine the Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) Partnership, a unique math-science targeted partnership designed to support improved student learning and instructional practice…
Promoting Effective Teaching in Science Learning through Engineering Design [SLED]
Posted by: James Lehman . The Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) Partnership is a targeted project aimed at improving student learning of science and math at the elementary/intermediate school level through the integration of…
Think-aloud Protocol Analysis as a Measure of Students' Science Learning through Design Assessment
"Research has indicated that authentic engineering design tasks hold the attention and interest of students and can lead to deeper levels of science engagement (Fortus, Dershimer, Krajcik, Marx, & Mamlok-Naaman,…
Video Spotlight: Science Learning through Engineering Design
Posted by: James Lehman . This 3-minute video produced by the Purdue Exponent highlights the SLED Summer Institute.
Easier sledding for new science, engineering teaching effort
Posted by: James Lehman . "This week and next are a "dream come true" for associate professor Brenda Capobianco, who is one of several Purdue University faculty members who will spend this week and next working alongside more than 40 teachers as they incorporate engineering design elements into their curriculum…"
Fun lessons teach science by design
Posted by: Dana Ruggiero . On Friday morning at Sunnyside Middle School, teacher Lisa Hobbs' sixth-grade students were eager to prove which of the roller coasters they'd constructed out of foam tubing and duct tape worked best. …
Understanding Student Success in the Science Learning through Engineering Design (SLED) Partnership
The aim of the SLED Partnership is to increase grade 3-6 student learning of science by developing Indiana's first integrated, engineering design- based approach to elementary school science education. We…