Homeschool Crew Review~ Thinking Like an Engineer from Innovators Tribe

A few weeks ago Michael was given the opportunity to learn about what engineers do by using the course Thinking Like an Engineer from Innovators Tribe. This is a fantastic online course that introduces students to the exciting world of engineers!


For this review, Michael received a two year subscription to the Thinking Like an Engineer online course. This course is geared for students in grades 6th-12th. The regular cost of the course is $149, but is currently on sale for $96. Please be advised that prices are subject to change. For the current price, please refer to the Innovators Tribe website.
This course is a phenomenal way to introduce students to the exciting and varied world of engineering. Engineers are leaders in the world of science, technology, weaponry, and design. So many careers today are in the engineering fields. This is an important area for our kids to explore! Sadly, the United States is falling behind in this area. We need to encourage our children to explore  the engineering and the STEM world.
In Thinking Like a Engineer course students will get.....
 Interactive Lessons  These lessons are self-paced and fully guided. This means moms and dads get to sit back and take a break while their student learns. Free time and a chance for some independent learning.
Hands-On Projects What better way to learn about a topic than to dig deeper into the lesson by being creative.. Hands-on learning is a great way for students to put into practice what they have learned. What kid doesn't like to get their hands dirty? I love seeing that light bulb go off when they finally grasp a topic.
Design Challenges This course offers students a variety of design activities to complete. These help the students get their creative juices flowing. I love how they challenge the students to test their limits and how to problem solve. Problem solving is an essential ability to have in the world. 

"To often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve." ~Robert Lewin

Journal Exercises The journal exercises allow students to write down and document what they have learned as they travel through the course. This is a great way to encourage writing and for the students to process all that they have learned and accomplished.
Design Software This is a HUGE! Students will get the chance to use modern design technology. While completing the various activities, students will get to actually use design software. As a homeschool student, Michael doesn't always get a chance to use new technology so this was a big hit for him.
The company does provide a printable syllabus for he course. The syllabus breaks down the chapters and provides a supplies list for mom and dad!



So What Does Thinking Like an Engineer Teach?
Thinking Like an Engineer is a pre-recorded online class. Students can choose their own pace.  The course is broken up into 6 chapters.
Chapter 1~ Introduction to Engineering Chapter 2~ Introduction to 3D Design (Tools of Modern Design) Chapter 3~ Engineering Roller Coasters Chapter 4~ Engineering Bridges Chapter 5~ Nano Engineering (Discovery of a New World) Chapter 6~ Thinking like an Engineer (Course Conclusion)
Each chapter is broken up into lessons. for example, the first chapter, Introduction to Engineering, has 4 lessons.
Lesson 1: What is Engineering? Lesson 2: Types of Engineers Lesson 3: Engineering Clean Water Lesson 4: Grand Challenges of the World
The lesson each contain a video to watch (10-30 minutes long) and a challenge for the student to complete. There is a suggested time frame for these challenges. I wouldn't worry about it too much though since this is a self-paced course. You may have a child that completes it faster, no big deal. You may have a perfectionist like me, so some of these challenges may take longer (sometimes a lot longer).
What did Michael think of the Thinking Like and Engineer course?
First off, Michael was extremely excited (dare I say enthusiastic) about this course. He never gets excited about anything. He's my serious, sensible guy. As a baby, we referred to him as the little old man in a babies body. He's always be interested in building things and figuring out how things work. His grandfather is an engineer, so he gets his curiosity honestly. He knows a few older siblings of friends who are studying engineering too. He has seen first had how prevalent this career is in the world.  He has enjoyed the course so far. He enjoyed the introduction into the various engineering careers. He said he learned a few new things. Shocker....a teenage boy who admits he doesn't know everything! He said the videos were well done and easy to understand. He said the graphics are great. He was fascinated with the explanation on how they cool the tower in Dubai. He talked about that for days and told everyone we know about it.  He likes how everything is explained extremely well. 
I will admit that his perfectionist behavior has hindered him from moving too quickly through the course. We are not that far along, but I'm just thrilled to see him excited about something. The first project took him quite awhile. He wouldn't move on until he got it JUST right. He's still trying to perfect it. Some days he drives this mama crazy. He tends to over analyze. 
So would we recommend this course to our friends you bet we would! If you've been a reader for awhile now, you know that I LOVE LOVE hands-on learning. It this course encourages our children to learn more about science fields and become more interested in the STEM world, than it's a win-win for this mama. Michael is even encouraging his sister to give it a try. We'll wait and see what she says..

.

Crew members were given the opportunity to review  Thinking Like an Engineer and Thinking Like an Architect.  Stop by and see what they had to say about these fantastic programs!
Till Next Time, Monique