About YES

From Vision to Reality: The Story of YES

In 2003, long before engineering was taught in elementary schools, a small team at the Museum of Science, Boston asked a bold question: What should engineering education look like for young learners, and how can we design it to include every student?

Led by science educator and curriculum designer Dr. Christine Cunningham, this team launched what would become Engineering is Elementary (EiE), a groundbreaking program to engage children in engineering and problem solving . At the time, many believed engineering was too complex for children. EiE challenged that assumption by drawing on extensive research and creating lessons that allowed kids to imagine, build, test, and improve.

Within a few years, EiE became a nationally recognized leader in preK–8 engineering education. EiE curricula have been used in classrooms and out-of-school settings across the U.S., transforming how teachers saw STEM and how students saw themselves.

A New Chapter: Youth Engineering Solutions

In 2024, building on two decades of EiE’s research, curriculum, and educator support, the Museum of Science launched Youth Engineering Solutions (YES). YES is the next evolution of the EiE vision. It offers a hands-on, student-centered program that prepares all students, in all settings, to solve real problems using engineering and computational thinking. It also introduces a new in-school middle school curriculum.

YES is committed to providing high-quality STEM education to all students, everywhere. To support this goal, all teacher guides, instructional slides, and student notebooks are free to access digitally. This reduces barriers and ensures that every educator and learner can work with high-quality STEM materials. Our curriculum developers collaborate with educators to design materials that support multilingual learners, students working at different paces and levels, and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Hands-on engineering should not be a privilege. It should be an opportunity for every child.

YES units connect to students' lives and communities. The design challenges are based on relatable scenarios, such as designing a nightlight with just the right brightness for a visiting cousin or creating a filter to reduce plastic pollution in water. Teachers and school leaders are encouraged to share these experiences with families and the broader community. This helps to build support for STEM learning that continues beyond the classroom.

As students create and test their solutions, they use and deepen their science, math, and computational thinking skills. They build confidence, persistence, and a sense of agency. They begin to see themselves not just as learners but as engineers, designers, and changemakers.

Our Leadership: Christine Cunningham

Dr. Christine M. Cunningham is the founding director of both EiE and YES. She currently serves as Chief Curriculum and Learning Officer at the Museum of Science. With over 30 years of experience in K–12 STEM education, she has dedicated her career to making engineering and science accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all learners.

A former biology major and education professor, Dr. Cunningham began her career developing science and environmental curricula. But it was her early work with students who struggled in school—yet thrived during engineering design—that inspired a new mission: introduce engineering to kids early and make it engaging for everyone.

Her work has influenced national science standards, shaped teacher professional learning, and helped redefine what STEM can look like in early and elementary education. She is the author of Engineering in Elementary STEM Education and the recipient of numerous honors, including the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. In 2024, she was elected to the National Academy of Education.

Why It Matters

YES exists because all young people deserve access to high-quality, meaningful learning experiences, in STEM and beyond. Engineering is not just about technical skills or memorizing facts. It helps students build durable skills that open opportunities and support lifelong learning.

These include:

• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Resilience
• Perseverance
• Flexibility

YES continues to evolve with new curricula, stronger support for educators, and partnerships that bring engineering to where kids live, learn, and play. With enhanced career content, expanded computer science extensions, and a brand new program for families and communities, YES is building the future. One design challenge at a time. One young problem-solver at a time.

Join us.