Engineering

Engineering is the practical application of science to real-life problems. Engineers work in many fields and have diverse skills. They are involved with designing and making, building, inventing, STEM and creativity. Engineers also need to understand humans — what they need and how they live.

Learning experiences

Investigate animal houses

When children research animal houses they will learn how simple structures are built and engineered. They will gain awareness of natural materials and the unique needs of different animals.

Animals live in many types of structures, like bird nests, burrows, caves, dens, hives, shells, spider webs, and termite mounds.

Use books and the internet to research, but also go outside and observe local wildlife.

Set up a provocation on a table, such as a bird's nest or beehive, that children can inspect and draw.

Can children build structures themselves, like spiderwebs from wool, bird's nests from twigs and grass, or burrows in the sandpit?

Ask children about their pets at home. Where do they sleep at night?