SCOOPE and other primary (elementary) school projects with a challenge for engineering education

The objectives of some projects in engineering programmes and some projects in primary (elementary) schools are examined and found to have very similar goals. The first school is shown to achieve these goals quite well especially in the area of teamwork and business. Other projects have shown that children think like experts designers, and acquire a "natural" vocabulary of engineering. It is argued that one way to ensure the development of these skills throughout schooling and into university is to support and develop courses in design and technology. Engineering educators are likely to benefit from research that has been done at this level. With that knowledge they could help form alliances that are designed to provide the development that is required.