Forthcoming Practitioner Perspective

Using a Reverse Engineering Pedagogical Strategy to Enhance Science Learning

by Latanya Robinson

Abstract

Engineering-infused science curricula support students’ learning of science and mathematics alongside engineering content. The build-and-test engineering approach is used as a pedagogical strategy to attain multi-disciplinary academic benefits. This approach presents limitations such as students focus more on the construction process rather than on using specific academic content knowledge to inform the design of the objects. The pedagogical approach of reverse engineering is an alternative strategy to the build-and-test approach. Reverse engineering requires disassembling a product into its components to understand the interrelation of science, mathematics, and engineering concepts. This practitioner perspective article describes how teachers can use a reverse engineering to emphasize connections between scientific concepts and prototyping skills. A tool is included to evaluate how well inexpensive materials meet the structural and scientific needs for prototyping activities. Additionally, teachers’ suggestions are provided to assist with making modifications to prototyping tasks within existing engineering-infused science curricula.