---
title: Using Habits of Mind in the Classroom
description: Oue team created the EiE Habits of Mind, a list of practices used by engineers and computer scientists.  Learn how this list is useful in the classroom.
image: https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/png%3Bbase64937ee076bfe333d3.png
---

[![Return to yes.mos.org](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/YES-Horizontal-4c.png "Return to yes.mos.org")](https://yes.mos.org)

![](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Logos/blog-pipe.png)

[![Go to the YES Blog homepage](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Logos/blog-title.png "Go to the YES Blog homepage")](https://yesblog.mos.org)

# Using Habits of Mind in the Classroom

Posted by [Derek Butterton](https://yesblog.mos.org/author/derek-butterton) on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

As part of the development of the [Engineering and Computer Science Essentials](https://info.eie.org/integrated-stem) curriculum, the EiE team created the EiE Habits of Mind, a list of 19 practices used by engineers and computer scientists. Today, we’ll look more closely at how this list is useful in the classroom.

![png;base64937ee076bfe333d3](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/png%3Bbase64937ee076bfe333d3.png?width=1024&height=619&name=png%3Bbase64937ee076bfe333d3.png)

We designed the Habits list to help educators:

          • understand engineering and computer science.   
           • encourage student engineering and computer science practice.   
           • recognize when students are engineering and practicing computer science.

## Understanding Engineering and Computer Science 

One challenge that elementary-level educators face is simply understanding engineering and computer science. Consider these definitions of the two fields: 

• “We use the term *engineering* in a very broad sense to mean any engagement in a systematic practice of design to achieve solutions to particular human problems.”  
([A Framework for K–12 Science Education](https://www.nap.edu/read/13165/chapter/4), 11) 

• “*Computer science* (CS) is the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society.” ([A Model Curriculum for K–12 Computer Science](https://ftp.unpad.ac.id/orari/library/library-ref-eng/ref-eng-3/application/education/curriculum/k12final1022.pdf), 2) 

While these definitions contain a great deal of useful information, their density can make them hard to unpack for someone new to the fields. 

The Habits list helps educators by breaking down engineering and computer science into a set of smaller, easier-to-understand practices. For example: 

• Engineering involves **considering problems in context**, **envisioning multiple solutions**, and **applying science knowledge to problem solving**. 

• Computer science involves **investigating the features and uses of tools**, **decomposing problems**, and **using computers to solve those problems**. 

While understanding these fields ultimately requires hands-on experience, the Habits list provides a starting place for becoming familiar with the work of engineers and computer scientists. 

## Encouraging Student Engineering and Computer Science Practice 

Another challenge that engineering and computer science teachers confront is finding ways to engage students in the practices of those fields. The Habits of Mind list serves as a toolkit for discussion questions, encouragement, and extension activities. 

For example, the Habit “Persist and learn from failure” might inspire

 • the discussion question “What strategies did you use when your design wasn’t working?”

 • the encouraging comment that “I admire how you all are learning from the results of your first design.”

 • the exercise of listing ways in which designs failed and using that information to plan improvements. 

## Recognizing When Students Are Engineering and Practicing Computer Science 

A final challenge educators face when teaching engineering and computer science is assessing student performance. Especially at the elementary level, learning in these fields depends less on the acquisition of content knowledge and more on the practice of skills, which can be difficult to evaluate with traditional measures. 

The Habits list helps educators recognize student engineering and computer science practice by providing a specific set of behaviors to look for. For example, students arguing about a design might look distracted, while they are in fact considering problems in context, envisioning multiple solutions, or making trade-offs between criteria and constraints. An educator familiar with the Habits is more likely to recognize such debate as a valuable practice, and therefore to encourage it (with appropriate structure), rather than seeking to quash it. 

 

In our next post, we’ll look at some specific resources in the *Essentials* curriculum that can help you use the Habits list to its fullest potential.

---

![Derek Butterton](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Derek%20Butterton.jpg?width=178&name=Derek%20Butterton.jpg)

[Derek Butterton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekbutterton/) is a curriculum developer at EiE, where he creates engineering and computer science resources for classrooms, out-of-school-time programs, and families. He is especially interested in the history and use of Habits of Mind. When not at work, he enjoys playing board games and spending time outdoors.

 

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

#### Written by [Derek Butterton](https://yesblog.mos.org/author/derek-butterton)

 Topics: [Engineering Habits of Mind](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-habits-of-mind), [EiE Teaching Tips](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-teaching-tips), [Create a Generation of Problem Solvers](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/create-a-generation-of-problem-solvers), [Computer Science](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/computer-science)

[Next Post](https://yesblog.mos.org/celebrate-pride-in-stem-day-2020-with-us) [Blog Home](https://yesblog.mos.org) [Previous Post](https://yesblog.mos.org/eie-will-be-at-the-national-science-teacher-association-virtual-conference-2020)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

**Recent Posts**

[Build Classroom Culture with Engineering Challenges](https://yesblog.mos.org/building-a-classroom-culture-using-the-engineering-design-process)

Fri, Jul 31

[Engineering Practices: Envisioning Multiple Solutions](https://yesblog.mos.org/engineering-practices-considering-multiple-solutions)

Mon, May 11

[Engineering Practices: Balancing Criteria and Constraints](https://yesblog.mos.org/engineering-practices-criteria-and-constraints)

Sat, Apr 18

[Simple Ways Teachers Can Involve Families in STEM Learning](https://yesblog.mos.org/help-families-engage-with-stem)

Thu, Mar 26

### Posts by Topic

- [Create a Generation of Problem Solvers (130)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/create-a-generation-of-problem-solvers)
- [EiE Resources for Teachers (114)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-resources-for-teachers)
- [EiE Teaching Tips (107)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-teaching-tips)
- [Engineering for All (85)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-for-all)
- [Early Childhood STEM Education (77)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/early-childhood-stem-education)
- [Implementing EiE (71)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/implementing-eie)
- [Professional Development (69)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/professional-development)
- [Out-of-School time (65)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/out-of-school-time)
- [STEM Implementation (54)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-implementation)
- [Computer Science (50)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/computer-science)
- [Virtual Learning (42)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/virtual-learning)
- [Engineering is Elementary (40)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-is-elementary)
- [Profiles (40)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/profiles)
- [Engineering Habits of Mind (37)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-habits-of-mind)
- [Afterschool/Summer Camp (29)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/afterschool-summer-camp)
- [Early Engineering (28)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/early-engineering)
- [Engineering Activities (25)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-activities)
- [Engineering Everywhere (25)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-everywhere)
- [Afterschool (23)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/afterschool)
- [EiE Research Results (21)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-research-results)
- [EiE for Families (21)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-for-families)
- [Engineering in Elementary STEM Education (19)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-in-elementary-stem-education)
- [Engineering Adventures (17)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-adventures)
- [Engineering Design Process (16)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-design-process)
- [Museum of Science (16)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/museum-of-science)
- [STEM Education (16)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-education)
- [Wee Engineer (15)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/wee-engineer)
- [MOS at School (14)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/mos-at-school)
- [Classroom Organization (13)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/classroom-organization)
- [Scholarships and Awards (13)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/scholarships-and-awards)
- [YES Curricula (13)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-curricula)
- [Classroom (12)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/classroom)
- [Digital Storybooks (12)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/digital-storybooks)
- [EiE Ambassador (12)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-ambassador)
- [STEM Learning (12)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-learning)
- [Social Emotional Learning (12)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/social-emotional-learning)
- [EiE for Kindergarten (11)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-for-kindergarten)
- [Engineering and English Language Arts (11)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-and-english-language-arts)
- [Funding (11)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/funding)
- [STEM Funding (11)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-funding)
- [Careers for Engineers (10)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/careers-for-engineers)
- [Climate Change (10)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/climate-change)
- [EiE Families (10)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-families)
- [Learn.EiE (9)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/learn-eie)
- [Pre-K (9)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/pre-k)
- [Durable Skills (8)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/durable-skills)
- [Preschool (8)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/preschool)
- [Professional Learning (8)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/professional-learning)
- [Elementary School (7)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/elementary-school)
- [Engineering Practices (7)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-practices)
- [Kindergarten (7)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/kindergarten)
- [Black History Month (6)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/black-history-month)
- [Middle School (6)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/middle-school)
- [Online PD (6)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/online-pd)
- [Women's History Month (6)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/womens-history-month)
- [Assessment (5)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/assessment)
- [Christine Cunningham (5)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/christine-cunningham)
- [Engineering Education (5)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-education)
- [Webinar (5)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/webinar)
- [Curriculum (4)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/curriculum)
- [EiE Partnership (4)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/eie-partnership)
- [Pilot Testers/Pilot Testing (4)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/pilot-testers-pilot-testing)
- [STEM Activities (4)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-activities)
- [YES Enrichment (4)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-enrichment)
- [Cross Curricular Connections (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/cross-curricular-connections)
- [Earth Day (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/earth-day)
- [Emergent Multilingual Learners (MLLs) (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/emergent-multilingual-learners-mlls)
- [English Language Learners (ELLs) (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/english-language-learners-ells)
- [Interviews & Appearances (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/interviews-appearances)
- [Mass STEM Week (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/mass-stem-week)
- [MathWorks (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/mathworks)
- [Media (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/media)
- [NASA (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/nasa)
- [Pride in STEM (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/pride-in-stem)
- [STEM Day (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-day)
- [STEM Teachers & Educators (3)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-teachers-educators)
- [AAPI (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/aapi)
- [AAPI Heritage Month (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/aapi-heritage-month)
- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/artificial-intelligence-ai)
- [Essentials (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/essentials)
- [High school (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/high-school)
- [Indigenous Peoples' Day (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/indigenous-peoples-day)
- [Latin Heritage Month (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/latin-heritage-month)
- [Math Connections (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/math-connections)
- [NSF- National Science Foundation (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/nsf-national-science-foundation)
- [National Grid (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-grid)
- [Out of School (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/out-of-school)
- [Podcast (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/podcast)
- [Preservice Teachers (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/preservice-teachers)
- [STEM Careers/Careers in STEM (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-careers-careers-in-stem)
- [STEM Event (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-event)
- [Scientific American (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/scientific-american)
- [Spanish Resources (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/spanish-resources)
- [Teacher Appreciation Week (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/teacher-appreciation-week)
- [Teacher Educator Institute (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/teacher-educator-institute)
- [YES in the Media (2)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-in-the-media)
- [Asteroid Day (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/asteroid-day)
- [Augmented Reality (AR) (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/augmented-reality-ar)
- [Behind the Scenes (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/behind-the-scenes)
- [Careers (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/careers)
- [ChangED (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/changed)
- [Childhood Learning (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/childhood-learning)
- [Climate (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/climate)
- [Computational Thinking (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/computational-thinking)
- [Conference (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/conference)
- [Congress/Congressional Briefing (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/congress-congressional-briefing)
- [DEAIB (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/deaib)
- [Day of AI (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/day-of-ai)
- [Dell Technologies (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/dell-technologies)
- [Dream Big (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/dream-big)
- [EarthShot (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/earthshot)
- [Earthshot/Year of Earthshot (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/earthshot-year-of-earthshot)
- [Engineering Careers & Jobs (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/engineering-careers-jobs)
- [English Learner (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/english-learner)
- [Environmental Education Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/environmental-education-week)
- [Explore Interactive, Inc./MindLabs (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/explore-interactive-inc-mindlabs)
- [Great Outdoors Month (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/great-outdoors-month)
- [Halloween (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/halloween)
- [Holiday STEM (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/holiday-stem)
- [Holiday STEM (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/holiday-stem)
- [International Science Museum Day (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/international-science-museum-day)
- [Lemelson Foundation (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/lemelson-foundation)
- [MA STEM Teacher Fair (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/ma-stem-teacher-fair)
- [MA STEM Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/ma-stem-week)
- [MCIU Learning Network (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/mciu-learning-network)
- [Mass EoE (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/mass-eoe)
- [Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit)
- [National Coding Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-coding-week)
- [National Engineers' Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-engineers-week)
- [National Robotics Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-robotics-week)
- [National Science Foundation/NSF (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-science-foundation-nsf)
- [National Space Day (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/national-space-day)
- [Native American Heritage Month (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/native-american-heritage-month)
- [Op-eds/Opinion Editorials (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/op-eds-opinion-editorials)
- [Outreach/Social Media (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/outreach-social-media)
- [Overdeck Family Foundation (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/overdeck-family-foundation)
- [PLANETS (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/planets)
- [Problem Solvers (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/problem-solvers)
- [Project Vaccine (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/project-vaccine)
- [Reading/Writing (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/reading-writing)
- [SLECop Convening (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/slecop-convening)
- [STEM Careers (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-careers)
- [STEM in the Future (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/stem-in-the-future)
- [Scratch Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/scratch-week)
- [Summer Learning (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/summer-learning)
- [Sustainability (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/sustainability)
- [TeacherCast (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/teachercast)
- [Technology (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/technology)
- [Technology/Education Technology (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/technology-education-technology)
- [Thanksgiving (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/thanksgiving)
- [Women in Engineering Day (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/women-in-engineering-day)
- [World Computer Literacy Day (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/world-computer-literacy-day)
- [World Space Week (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/world-space-week)
- [YES Careers (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-careers)
- [YES Teacher Development (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-teacher-development)
- [YES in School (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-in-school)
- [YES/EiE at Home (1)](https://yesblog.mos.org/topic/yes-eie-at-home)

see all

| [![Facebook](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.fb.icon.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/yesatmos/) | [![logo-black-1](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-black-1.png?width=32&height=33&name=logo-black-1.png)](https://twitter.com/yesatmos) | [![Pinterest](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.pin.icon.svg)](https://www.pinterest.com/yesatmos/) | [![YouTube](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.yt.icon.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@youthengineeringsolutions) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

Search the EiE Blog

Search

| [![MOS](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Logos/EiE.MOS.EiE%20Full%20Lockup-939086-edited-997523-edited.png?width=64&name=EiE.MOS.EiE%20Full%20Lockup-939086-edited-997523-edited.png)](https://www.mos.org) | ![](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Logos/blog-pipe.png) | [![YES logo horizontal](https://yesblog.mos.org/hubfs/YES-Horizontal-4c.png)](https://eie.org) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [![Facebook](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.fb.icon.png?width=24&height=24&name=sm.fb.icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/yesatmos/)  [![logo-black](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-black.png?width=24&height=24&name=logo-black.png)](https://twitter.com/yesatmos)  [![Pinterest](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.pin.icon.png?width=24&height=24&name=sm.pin.icon.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/yesatmos/)  [![YouTube](https://yesblog.mos.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Redesign%20Template%20Resources/Social/sm.yt.icon.png?width=24&height=24&name=sm.yt.icon.png)](https://www.youtube.com/@youthengineeringsolutions)  |  |  |

© 2026 YES | Museum of Science