Teaching Engineering: A Webinar for Educators in the Classroom and Other Learning Spaces!
DiscoverE recently partnered with Teach Engineering to host a webinar that brought educators from across the country together to explore practical ways to introduce engineering to K-12 students. The session focused on making engineering approachable, engaging, and meaningful—whether you teach in a classroom, an afterschool program, or a community setting. You can watch the recording below and download the DiscoverE slides and Teach Engineering slides.
The webinar opened with a look at the engineering design process as the foundation for teaching engineering. A key takeaway was that engineering is an iterative process, where redesign and reflection are just as valuable as the final product.
Hands-On Design Challenge
To bring the process to life, participants took part in a hands-on design challenge from the Teach Engineering digital library called Controlling Sound. Educators stepped into the role of students and used everyday materials to prototype sound-canceling headphones under time and material constraints. The activity highlighted how low-cost, quick challenges can spark creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Teach Engineering Resources
The session also introduced educators to the wealth of free resources available through Teach Engineering, including over 2,000 classroom-tested, standards-aligned K–12 engineering activities, lessons, and maker challenges. These resources are designed by educators, reviewed by engineers, and organized by popular topics, including open-ended activities that follow the engineering design process. Teach Engineering also offers professional development opportunities, including the Teach Engineering Champions Institute July 23-24, 2026 in Boulder, CO (Application deadline: March 15, 2026)
Discover Engineering Resources
On the DiscoverE side, the webinar showcased programs that help students build a strong engineering identity through hands-on activities, positive messaging, and exposure to real-world role models. Featured initiatives included Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and Chats with Change Makers. Together, these programs emphasize that engineering careers are diverse, impactful, and accessible through multiple education pathways—not just four-year degrees.
Teaching Engineering Together
Overall, the webinar reinforced a powerful message: when educators combine hands-on design challenges, supportive facilitation, and positive engineering messages, students are far more likely to see themselves as future engineers. With free, high-quality resources from DiscoverE and Teach Engineering, teaching engineering has never been more accessible—or more fun.