Design Learning in STEM Education
Lyn D. English, Robin Adams, Donna King
Abstract
Design and design thinking have become more prominent in recent years, with design now being applied to a range of fields as diverse as business and medicine. Design thinking is an important component of complex problem solving, entailing the processes of problem identification, brainstorming solution ideas, generating prototypes, and testing and refining outcomes. Design plays a central role in technology and engineering education, where a basic understanding of how design impacts on the world and ultimately shapes our personal lives is considered essential. This chapter focuses on design learning in K-12 STEM education, specifically integrated STEM-based problem solving, through the lenses of learning about and learning through design.