Construction kits as a tool for the formation of schoolchildren’s engineering thinking
Abstract. The article has covered how construction kits can help secondary school students from the seventh to the eleventh grade develop engineering thinking within the context of digital economy and staff shortage. The aim of this study is to theoretically justify and experimentally verify the effectiveness of utilization of specialized construction kits as a tool for fostering engineering thinking among students from the seventh to the eleventh grades. The research is grounded in L. S. Vygotsky’s activity theory and principles of interdisciplinary STEAM Education. Within the framework of the study, three original construction kits were developed: a glider, a remotely piloted aircraft (a radio-controlled wing), and an Arduino-based quadcopter. An experiment was conducted involving 300 students from Kaliningrad, Kazan, and Novosibirsk. The study included assessments of technical thinking, as well as surveys of both participants and teachers. The results showed a significant increase in students’ motivation toward engineering professions (82 %), substantial development of technical skills (a 37 % rise in average scores on technical thinking), and improvement in teamwork abilities (45 % enhancement). The construction kits allow students to explore Physics, Mathematics, Computer science, and Design. An implemented model for original educational construction kits is proposed, taking into account age-specific characteristics and continuity in learning. It is emphasized that hands-on project-based learning prepares students for the demands of the digital economy. However, it requires methodological support for educators, especially in the area of digital technologies.