Early Engineers Express Workshop

A play-based EYFS and KS1 engineering workshop using LEGO Duplo trains. Children design, build, and test train tracks, bridges, and stations through hands-on construction challenges.

Early Engineers Express is a play-based engineering workshop for EYFS and KS1 students (ages 3-6) built around LEGO Duplo train sets. Children design and build train tracks, construct bridges and stations, solve engineering challenges, and explore concepts like cause and effect, sequencing, and simple mechanisms. The workshop develops fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, collaborative working, and early engineering thinking through structured play. All Duplo sets and supporting materials are provided by Hyett Education.

Learning Outcomes

What Students Will Achieve
- Design and build train tracks with bridges, tunnels, and stations
- Understand basic cause-and-effect relationships through train movement
- Solve simple engineering challenges such as building a bridge that holds weight
- Work collaboratively in small teams to plan and construct
- Develop fine motor skills through Duplo construction
- Explore early concepts of sequencing and spatial reasoning

Early Learning Goals

EYFS Framework Alignment
-This workshop supports the following Early Learning Goals from the EYFS framework.
Understanding the World (EYFS)
- Exploring and using technology; making observations; understanding how things work
Expressive Arts & Design (EYFS)
-Creating with materials; building structures and exploring mechanisms
Mathematics (EYFS/KS1)
- Counting, patterns, shapes, spatial reasoning and measurement
Physical Development (EYFS)
- Fine motor skills through construction and manipulation of small components
Design & Technology (KS1)
- Designing and making; building structures; exploring mechanisms

Supporting Every Learner
Our instructors have extensive experience working across different school environments, including mainstream, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, pupil referral units, and special schools. Every activity is scaffolded and differentiated so that all learners can access the content, experience success, and develop confidence. We use adaptive teaching strategies, manage cognitive load carefully, and provide visual supports and learning mats. Schools can share specific needs in advance so we can plan accordingly. Early Engineers Express activities are play-based and multi-sensory, using familiar Duplo train sets that children naturally engage with. The construction-based approach is naturally accessible to a wide range of learners including those in the earliest stages of development.

Stretch and Challenge for High-Ability Learners
Every workshop includes built-in extension challenges designed to stretch gifted and talented students. Open-ended tasks, advanced programming objectives, and real-world problem-solving scenarios ensure high-ability learners are fully engaged alongside their peers.

Tiered challenges allow students to progress at their own pace, from guided tasks to independent problem-solving
Higher-order thinking through debugging, optimisation, and creative design challenges
Competition pathways - workshops build skills relevant to FIRST LEGO League, Raspberry Pi competitions, Cyber Discovery, and CREST Awards
Career connections - students discover how workshop skills translate into real engineering, computing, and science careers
Schools can share information about gifted and talented cohorts in advance so our instructors can prepare targeted extension activities.