The goal of the EPICS Middle School program is to engage the students in the fields of engineering and technology while meeting a critical educational need of providing hands-on engineering and technical design opportunities. The EPICS curriculum provides an excellent framework based on the Next Generation Science Standards of blending the crosscutting concepts of cause and effect, scale and proportion, along with structure and function, while the students are designing engineering projects that meet the needs of the community.
Because the student projects are based on authentic needs within the community, the students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which include the use of mathematical computations. This authentic application of classroom skills and practices is essential for engaging the adolescent. The students are working in teams, promoting positive communication between adults and students, which encourages speaking and listening skills, along with technical writing and reading.
Nottingham Middle School
Pencil Grips
Seventh-grade students at Nottingham Middle School designed, tested, and ultimately delivered prototypes of pencil grips to classmate Isaiah. The EPICS team at Purdue will provide actual pencil grips for Isaiah based on the prototypes submitted by the students at Nottingham.
Arlington Middle School
Water Pollution
Students designed prototypes that would be able to assist in various types of water pollution, including oil spills and plastic waste.