Engineering Design Process – In and out of the classroom

By Brynn Harshbarger (STEM Program Instructor)

The conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year marks the end of my first year as the STEM Program Instructor at Clairton. Throughout this rewarding year, I have taught students in grades 3–8 the fundamentals of designing, building, coding, and driving robots. Together, these students have collaborated to create builds, troubleshoot problems, and test new ideas. I am incredibly proud of how much they have grown as budding engineers and critical thinkers. During the natural pause that comes with the summer months, I wanted to reflect on the vital importance of our work in building STEM literacy at Clairton.

Our VEX Robotics curriculum is deeply rooted in the engineering design process. Each week, students collaboratively brainstorm, problem-solve, and test ideas to address different STEM challenges. Some weeks, we investigated biology, exploring what animals need to survive in their environments. Using a mix of craft supplies and VEX kits, students created various creatures—including giraffes, dragonflies, and frogs—and placed them into custom-built habitats. Other weeks, students applied their coding knowledge to technical tasks, such as collecting simulated Martian rock samples or programming robots to play a game of Tic-Tac-Toe.

"Understanding that failure is not the end, but rather a new beginning, opens up a world of possibilities."

Anytime I see students tackling a task together, hitting a roadblock, and collectively testing a new solution, I am reminded of why this work matters. Whether or not these students ultimately choose to enter a STEM field, the collaboration and problem-solving skills they are developing will serve them in any future career. Understanding that failure is not the end, but rather a new beginning, opens up a world of possibilities—allowing these curious, creative children to thrive on whatever path they choose.

"I am grateful to the Will Allen Foundation for supporting these young innovators, and I can't wait to see what creative, new ideas they come up with next year."

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