Summary
The STEM Challenge collection engages students in hands-on, inquiry-based activities that blend creativity with scientific reasoning and engineering design. Each lesson challenges learners to solve real-world problems—whether designing protective egg containers, building wind turbines, or constructing model structures—while applying core principles of physics, engineering, and mathematics. Together, these lessons promote collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation across STEM disciplines.Resources
In this activity, students are introduced to the foundational concepts of the engineering design process through collaborative, hands-on problem-solving. They will learn to think critically, plan strategically, and revise thoughtfully as they tackle real-world design challenges. The goal is to help... Read more »
Created by: Kelsey Willems
Date Updated: October 29th, 2025
- Students, Teachers
- Any time of year
- Small Group
- Action Plans, Problem Solving, Requires Multiple Meetings to Complete, Student Choice
- College & Career Interest, Rigorous Curriculum
Introduction to the foundational concepts of the engineering design process through collaborative, hands-on problem-solving.
In this activity, students design and construct a protective container to prevent a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. They will apply the engineering design process to brainstorm, to create a prototype, to test, and to refine their designs, emphasizing iteration, problem-solving, and... Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: November 13th, 2025
- Any time of year
Design and construct a protective container to prevent a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
In this activity, students create a scaled model of the solar system to understand planetary distances and sizes. They will collaborate, plan strategically, and adjust their designs based on real measurements, reinforcing the importance of accuracy, observation, and iterative improvements. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 28th, 2025
- Any time of year
Create a scaled model of the solar system to understand planetary distances and sizes.
In this activity, students design a functional app concept to solve a real-world problem. They will use brainstorming, prototyping, and testing to refine their designs, emphasizing creative thinking, planning, and iterative problem-solving. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Any time of year
Design a functional app concept to solve a real-world problem.
In this activity, students design and build a model vacuum cleaner or component that demonstrates suction, airflow, or efficiency. They will plan, test, and revise prototypes, learning the value of iteration and collaboration in engineering solutions. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Any time of year
Design and build a model vacuum cleaner or component that demonstrates suction, airflow, or efficiency.
In this activity, students construct a building model capable of withstanding simulated environmental stress (like wind or weight). They will apply the engineering design process to explore materials, improve stability, and reflect on design choices. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Supporting Student Success
- STEAM
Construct a building model capable of withstanding simulated environmental stress (like wind or weight).
In this activity, students will create a short commercial showcasing a STEM invention or solution. They will collaborate on planning, storyboarding, producing, and revising their videos, learning to communicate scientific and engineering ideas effectively. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
- Informative Writing
Create a short commercial showcasing a STEM invention or solution.
In this activity, students design and build small vehicles (Pot-Kin Cars) powered by gravity or other forces. They will create a prototype, test, and refine their designs while exploring principles of motion, friction, and engineering iteration. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
Design and build small vehicles (Pot-Kin Cars) powered by gravity or other forces.
In this activity, students design and test a model high-speed train or track system. They will investigate speed, stability, and efficiency while applying the engineering design process to improve their prototypes through iteration and testing. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
Design and test a model high-speed train or track system.
In this activity, students select a real-world problem, research solutions, calculate parameters, build a model, and test it. They will iterate their designs while reflecting on the effectiveness of their approach and the importance of data-driven decisions. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
- Supporting Student Success
Select a real-world problem, research solutions, calculate parameters, build a model, and test it.
In this activity, students design and build a wind turbine model to generate energy. They will test different blade designs, angles, and materials, refining prototypes through iteration and learning to apply scientific principles to engineering challenges. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 13th, 2025
- Any time of year
Design and build a wind turbine model to generate energy.
In this activity, students construct original structures using provided materials. They will plan, create a prototype, test, and refine designs to meet criteria such as stability, height, or aesthetics, emphasizing creative problem-solving and collaboration. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 27th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
- Informative Writing
Construct original structures using provided materials.
In this activity, students investigate the principles of force and motion using probes and sensors. They will design experiments, collect data, and refine their approaches, integrating engineering problem-solving with scientific inquiry. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Any time of year
Investigate the principles of force and motion using probes and sensors.
In this activity, students design and construct a working kaleidoscope using mirrors and reflective materials. They will iterate their designs to enhance visual effects, learning the importance of careful planning, testing, and collaboration. Read more »
Created by: Bradly Cusack
Date Updated: October 14th, 2025
- Teachers
- Any time of year
- Medium Group (at least 10)
- Critical Thinking
- Supporting Student Success
Design and construct a working kaleidoscope using mirrors and reflective materials.
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