The Role of Design Drawing Among Children Engaged in a Parachute Building Activity

In recent years, many elementary (ages 5-12) science programs in North America have incorporated what is called design technology, design and technology, technology, technological problem-solving, and/or problem-solving through technology (ITEA, 2000; Alberta Education 1996; Kimbell, Stables & Green, 1996; Layton, 1993). Design technology involves designing and making products to meet some need, and is “directly concerned with the individual’s capacity to design and make, to solve problems with the use of materials, and to understand the significance of technology” (Eggleston, 1996, p. 23). In elementary classrooms, lessons often focus around designing and building models of structures and mechanisms such as bridges and vehicles.