The rapid advancement of technology and the pervasive shift towards digitalisation present increasingly complex challenges for educational systems. Within this context, Novel Engineering (NE) emerges as an innovative pedagogical strategy developed by the CEEO (Centre for Engineering Education and Outreach) at Tufts University in Boston. This approach merges literacy with engineering principles, drawing upon the STREAM framework (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and rooted in constructionist theory. NE comprises a structured process involving the selection of a narrative text, identification of embedded problems, design and construction of practical solutions, reception of feedback, refinement of those solutions, and reinterpretation of the original story.

The central aim of NE is to nurture both technical proficiency and imaginative thinking while simultaneously enhancing reading comprehension and a suite of soft skills considered essential for the future workforce. These include skills like problem-solving, creativity, initiative, technological design, and programming, which, according to the World Economic Forum (2020), are expected to be critical by 2025.

This paper presents a case study of a Novel Engineering implementation in a fifth-grade class at an Italian primary school. Pupils engaged in reading narratives, identifying challenges within the storyline, and collaboratively devising inventive engineering solutions. The findings indicate that the NE methodology not only supports the development of literacy but also cultivates transferable competencies critical in an evolving, digitally-oriented professional environment.

In conclusion, Novel Engineering represents a valuable educational model that bridges the traditional divide between the humanities and STEM disciplines. It offers a forward-thinking approach aligned with the educational needs of future generations in an increasingly interconnected and technologically complex world.

Keywords: Novel Engineering, STREAM, primary education.