Engineering Design Challenges - Rigorous STEM Projects

This STEM bundle includes activities that guide students through the engineering design process, while exploring engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, materials exploration, optical engineering, invention and design, and structural engineering.

Students will develop various prototypes (transport device, power transmission tower, periscope, cargo ship, fidget spinner, and an invention. Start with the transport device for an introductory lesson on the engineering design process, then work through any of the other challenges.

Higher order thinking skills and teamwork are a MUST as they work in small groups to complete these challenges.

Included Resources

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #1 - Design a Transport Device

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #2 - Design a Power Transmission Tower

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #3 - Design a Periscope

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #4 - Design a Cargo Ship

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #5 - Design a Fidget Spinner

Inventor's Workshop

Transport Device Contents

• Intro to Engineering for Elementary Students (teacher guide to facilitate the discussion)
• Detailed preparation suggestions to plan for before, during, and after the challenge (1 page)
• Warm-up Activity (1 page)
• Follow-up Activity (1 page)
• Performance Rubric (1 page)
• Junior Engineer Certificates of Completion

Power Transmission Tower Contents

• Designing a Power Transmission Tower Overview (2 pages)
• Intro to Engineering for Elementary Students (teacher guide to facilitate the discussion)
• Detailed preparation suggestions to plan for before, during, and after the challenge (1 page)
• Warm-up Activity (1 page)
• Engineering Design Challenge overview (1 page)
• Testing data sheet (1 page)
• Follow-up Activity (1 page)
• Performance Rubric (1 page)
• Junior Engineer Certificates of Completion (color and black and white both included)

Periscope Contents

• Designing a Periscope: Overview (2 pages)
• Planning time line
• Introduction to Engineering for Elementary Students
• Design Criteria page
• Performance rubric
• Introduction to Optics
• Warm-up activity (3 pages, includes differentiation)
• Testing data sheet
• Follow-up activity
• Certificates of Completion, color and b&w included
• Blank cover page to use for additional engineering challenges
• Answer Keys (2 pages)

Cargo Ship Contents

• Designing a Cargo Ship: Overview (2 pages)
• Planning time line
• Introduction to Engineering for Students
• Design Criteria page
• Performance rubric
• Introduction to Density, Buoyancy, and Archimedes' Principle
• Warm-up activities (3 pages, includes differentiation)
• Testing data sheet
• Designing a Cargo Ship book
• Follow-up activities (5 pages, metric and imperial, 2 levels)
• Certificates of Completion, color and b&w included
• Blank cover page to use for additional engineering challenges
• Answer Keys (2 pages)

Fidget Spinner STEM Contents

• Designing a Spinner: Overview, includes detailed materials list, instructions, and sample images of various spinners.
• Planning time line
• Introduction to Engineering for Elementary Students
• Design Criteria pages (4 options, depending on whether you choose simple or fidget spinner)
• Performance rubric
• Vocabulary "Talk Like an Engineer" word wall cards (2 pages)
• The Science of Spinning (2 pages)
• Warm-up activity (1 page)
• Testing data sheet (2 options)
• Design a Spinner STEM recording options: 1 page, 2 page, graphic organizer, or 10-page booklet
• Design a spinner optional STEM center pages (to set up as an independent work station)
• Follow-up activities - math extension to calculate the spinner cost and marketing campaign to advertise the spinner
• Certificates of Completion, color and b&w included
• Credits

Inventor's Workshop

• Brainstorming an invention idea (suggestions included to get them started)
• Developing a prototype or model of the idea (or digital representation of it)
• Applying for a patent (patent awards also included)
• Marketing the idea (choose a medium and create an ad)

*Disclaimer: I have done my best to keep these as safe as possible. However, please make sure that you do your own due diligence when performing any STEM challenge. Adult supervision is necessary. Please use care, caution, and your best judgement when performing any STEM challenge, engineering challenge, or science experiment. The seller disclaims all liability for any damage or injury which might arise from the use of any of these projects. If you will use neodymium magnets, please be aware that I do not recommend most children handle these. They are very strong and dangerous if swallowed. If using them, please read the instructions thoroughly so that they are fixed/glued before your students interact with them.