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Learners work in groups to design and build a tower out of balsa wood. As a motivator, they can compete to build a tower with the highest strength-to-weight ratio.

Learners use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar-powered car. Solar car kits usually include a photovoltaic cell and motor; some include a chassis as well.

Engineer and cartoonist Rube Goldberg is famous for his crazy machines that accomplish everyday tasks in overly complicated ways.

Each group of learners uses everyday materials, such as paper, toothpicks, and tape to design and construct a structure intended to support the weight of a cinder block for 30 seconds.

Working in teams of four, learners build tetrahedral kites following specific instructions and using specific materials.

In this design-based activity, learners explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism interactions by creating a model biodome. Learners become engineers who create model ecosystems.

After a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works, learners create parachutes using different materials that they think will work best.

Learners take on the role of environmental engineers as they design water filters.

In this activity, learners investigate the properties of different types of balls.

This hands-on experiment will provide learners with an understanding of the issues that surround environmental cleanup.

Learners make a skydiver and parachute contraption and launch it. They see that the drag created by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth.

Learners play the role of materials engineers as they test the flexibility of different materials.

Learners construct and launch paper helicopters.

Learners investigate stress and strain by designing, building, and testing beams made from polymer clay.

In this activity, learners collect, categorize, weigh and analyze classroom trash and discuss ways that engineers have helped to reduce solid waste.

Through discussion and hands-on experimentation, learners examine the geological (ancient) carbon cycle.

In this activity, learners will become an engineer by designing and engineering a miniature parachute.

In this activity, learners build water-propelled engines from soft drink cans.

These three short activities challenge groups to fit objects through paper and index cards: "Slots" presents the challenge for one learner to figure out which objects fit through a hole cut by another

In this design challenge, learners will engineer a structure and see if it can survive an earthquake they create.