YES Enrichment

YES Enrichment challenges youth in grades K–8 to tackle real-world problems using the Engineering Design Process. These units are specifically designed to support STEM specials, electives, makerspaces, clubs, camps, spring break, and summer programs. Through hands-on investigation and testing, students learn to embrace challenges, persist through failure, iterate on their designs, and unleash their creativity!

Engineering Bandages

Youth engineer bandages that can cover and protect a model cut.

Engineering Bubble Wands

Youth engineer bubble wands to make a variety of bubbles.

Engineering Sails

Youth engineer a sail that catches wind energy to move a vehicle across a distance.

Engineering Rescue Shuttles

Youth design a shuttle to land a rope near a person who needs a rescue.

Engineering Sock Assistive Devices

Youth engineer an assistive device that helps people with limited mobility put on their socks.

Engineering Upcycled Toy Vehicles

Youth engineer a toy vehicle using upcycled materials.

Engineering Antivirals

Youth engineer a model antiviral to stop a virus from attaching to a cell.

Coming Soon!

Engineering Parachutes

Standards Alignment

YES units integrate with science ideas and standards. We carefully design engineering challenges so students develop and use science knowledge as they generate solutions.

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YES Enrichment Resources

YES works closely with educators to develop a suite of resources for each unit. These include:

Resource	Description
Educator Guide	Contains 4 core and 5–6 optional 45–60-minute activities with a common structure: Introduction: Introduces the activity’s goal. Exploration: Engages youth in the main activity. Wrap-Up: Connects learning to the engineering challenge.
Dynamic Poster or Comic	Introduces the engineering problem youth will solve. (K–2) A short story is read aloud at the start of each activity. Images and vocabulary are added to the poster illustration. (3–5) Comics that preview the engineering work youth will do open each activity.
Engineering Notebook (3–5)	Records youth’s observations, sketches, plans, and reflections.
Print Materials	Include print materials for group activities such as cards or signs.
Slides (3–5)	Facilitate classroom projection of comic images, discussion prompts, and sentence frames.
Vocabulary and Materials Glossaries (3–5)	Introduce new vocabulary through visual cards that can be kept at youth’s tables.
Family Resources	Spur conversations about engineering at home and connect youth’s learning to their communities.
Video Resources (3–5)	Help youth connect what they do in the unit to real-world engineering and problem solving.
Materials Kit	Supplies the physical materials needed to teach each lesson.

Our funders

Major support for this project has been provided by the National Science Foundation.