Pre-engineering skills are applied by preschoolers when they engage in engineering activities

Since engineering is considered an integrator factor of early STEM education, this study investigated preschoolers’ pre-engineering skills. Fifteen early education students participated in group activities designed to address a twofold research question. Qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews during students’ engagement in engineering activities. The analysis demonstrated that the kindergartners (a) followed most of the stages of engineering problem solving, and (b) applied the soft skills needed to solve engineering problems. However, they need support and prompting to interact with each other as they spontaneously tended to engage in activities more as individuals than as team members.