Category Archives: Research

Data Analysis And Implications – Grade 6 Survey

Posted on January 23, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

In a previous post ( https://kidsengineer.com/?p=572 ) I showed a graph of sixth grade attitudes towards computers/technology and engineering as a career.  This results were pre/post surveys before and after a grade 6 robotics unit.  The students had not experienced … Continue reading →

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The Missing E in STEM

Posted on January 17, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

I will be presenting at the Tech in Education Conference in Holyoke, MA today.  The slides can be found under Resources.

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Survey Results for Grade 6 Class

Posted on January 3, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

Here is some data from a grade 6 class I just finished working with.  They were new to robotics.  The pre/post survey asked 2 quantitative questions. Q1 – I like using computers and other technology.  Strongly Agree          Agree          Neither Agree … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Robotics | 1 Comment

NRI Grant

Posted on November 7, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

I have been very busy with a National Robotics Initiative grant that is due on December 6 so I have not been blogging.  I have also started a education doctoral program at UMass Amherst in the Math, Science, and Learning … Continue reading →

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Self-talk and Kid’s Building

Posted on September 28, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

I noticed a lot of self-talk during the case study building sessions last year with kindergarten kids.  You may recall that I am going a seven year case study starting in grade K and going to grade 6 with 8 … Continue reading →

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Elementary Engineering Survey of Practice and Attitudes

Posted on July 20, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

I am seeking to determine how schools support or don’t support the natural engineering instincts of children through the use of a survey. The working thesis is that the natural engineering and building instincts of children are supported in preschool … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Robotics, Teaching | 2 Comments

Grade 6 Survey Results

Posted on July 4, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

This cohort had 2 years of LEGO robotics.  Last year’s only had one.  Also, the unit was much more successful this year.  I did change the wording of the engineering question slightly this year to match another study sponsored by … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Research, Robotics, Technology | 3 Comments

First Year of Case Study – Observations

Posted on June 12, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

I saw some interesting things in the first year of the seven-year longitudinal case study of engineering skills of young children from grades K to 6.  Each year, they will be given a variety of materials and be asked to … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Research, Robotics, Technology | 3 Comments

Research Protocols

Posted on January 19, 2012 by JohnHeffernan

I have been thinking of the yearly research tasks I want to do. Would appreciate any feedback since I know very little about standard educational research. Elementary Engineering Robotics Case Study Yearly Research Tasks John Heffernan, Hampshire Regional Schools Research … Continue reading →

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Yearly Case Study Task

Posted on December 22, 2011 by JohnHeffernan

Would love some feedback on this… Case Study Yearly Task Research Questions 1. What are the developmental milestones in young children’s engineering skills? 2. How will the deliberate teaching of engineering at a young age affect subsequent interest in engineering? … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Research, Robotics, Technology | 2 Comments