The Sandbox project is a free resource website for K-12 educators. Launched in Spring 2018, the site currently contains over 15+ videos and educator guides on topics ranging from engineering concepts (such as simple machines, sensors, and design process) to teamwork and artistic exploration. The content is created in collaboration between and , with K-12 educators involved throughout the planning and implementation phases. Since its launch, educators have used the materials in a variety of ways, including ones which the development team had not previously considered.
This paper will particularly focus on the implementation and evaluation of the engineering content on the site. Results from: (1) educator feedback surveys, (2) website analytics, and (3) educator focus groups will be presented and discussed. We will also reflect on the challenges and opportunities in promoting new web-based educator materials. Our team has implemented a number of strategies to reach teachers, including social media, conference attendance, and email newsletters.
Now that the materials have been available for over 18 months, we are able to share lessons learned from this project and identify the areas that are being explored for further investigation and refinement.
Krista is an undergraduate Elementary Education and STEM Education major at the University of St. Thomas.
Esmée Verschoor is a Communication and Journalism major at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is passionate about graphic design, visual communication and cultural studies. Currently, Esmée is the Visual Manager at the Playful Learning Lab, led by Dr. AnnMarie Thomas, where she creates, designs and implements educational materials focused on incorporating joy, whimsy and play into education.
Alyssa Eggersgluss is a K-12 Vocal Music Education Major from the University of St. Thomas. Passionate about interdisciplinary learning, she works as a part of Dr. AnnMarie Thomas' Playful Learning Lab to create learning opportunities for students. She is currently focused on exploring different ways to engage students with sound.
I am an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering and math and the University of St. Thomas. I am the lab operations manager at the Playful Learning Lab
Dr. Besser, PE, ENV SP, holds a PhD in education and MS and BS in civil engineering. Currently, she is civil engineering chair and Center for Engineering Education director. Previous experience includes faculty positions in diverse universities where she has taught a variety of coursework including steel, timber, concrete and masonry design, construction, engineering economy, engineering graphics and engineering education. Prior to teaching, Dr. Besser, a licensed engineer, was a design engineer with HNTB-CA, where she worked on seismic retrofits and new design of high profile transportation structures.
Jeff Jalkio is currently a physics professor at the University of St. Thomas. Jeff worked for thirteen years in industry in the fields of optical sensor design and process control. In 1984, he co-founded CyberOptics Corporation, where he led engineering efforts as Vice President of Research. In 1997 he returned to academia, joining the engineering faculty of the University of St. Thomas and has taught courses in electronics, digital system design, mathematics, physics, circuit theory, electromagnetics, statistical process control, computing, mechatronics, control theory, metrology and design.
AnnMarie Thomas is a professor in the School of Engineering and the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas where she is the innovation director of the UST Center for Engineering Education. Her research group, the Playful Learning Lab, focuses on engineering and design education for learners of all ages.
Collin Goldbach is a mechanical engineering student at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota with research interests in environmental sustainability, clean power and aerospace technology. He is guided by his passion to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers with exciting, hands-on learning.
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