Elementary, K through 5
Elementary Engineering Design
Plant + Algae = Total Photosynthesis for the Earth
NGSS does not treat engineering as a separate subject at elementary level. It weaves it through science, and the six ETS1 performance expectations ask children to define a problem, compare more than one solution, and run a fair test where the variables are controlled. The framing that makes a biology kit serve those standards is this: a sealed bag is a prototype life support system, and it is not a very good one. Once it is a prototype, everything a student does to it is engineering.
Pick your lessons by the standard
Engineering design subjects
One subject so far. Plan Your Own Experiment is written and in production, and it goes up here free the day it is finished.
The six engineering standards in elementary
Ask questions about a problem
Standard: Ask questions, make observations and gather information about a situation people want to change.
Model how shape helps something work
Standard: Develop a simple sketch, drawing or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed.
Compare two solutions to one problem
Standard: Analyse data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem, to compare their strengths and weaknesses.
Define the problem, and the limits
Standard: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need, including specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time or cost.
Generate and compare solutions
Standard: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Run a fair test and improve it
Standard: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered, to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
This is the one the kit serves best, and failure points are the part teachers skip.