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The Squeeze is On
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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.

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

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

Move That Lighthouse!
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In this activity, learners explore how engineers work in a team to solve problems.

Popsicle Bridge
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In this activity, learners explore how engineering has impacted the development of bridges over time, including innovative designs and the challenge of creating bridges that become landmarks for a cit

Adaptive Device Design
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In this activity, learners explore the concept of how engineering has made possible the development of--and ongoing improvements to--adaptive devices that serve to help individuals with a wide range o

Energetic Musical Instruments
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Learners design and create musical instruments from common objects; their challenge is to create an instrument that can make three different tones.

Critical Load
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In this activity, learners explore the concepts of structural engineering and how to measure the critical load, or the maximum weight a structure can bear.

Keep-a-Cube
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In this activity, challenge learners to keep an ice cube from completely melting in 30 minutes. Learners engineer a box or wrap to prevent an ice cube from melting.

Bouncing Balloons
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In this sports-themed engineering activity, learners create super bouncy balls out of balloons. Learners brainstorm, test their designs, and share results.

Portable Sundial
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Learners construct one or more of the following kinds of sundials: a shadow plot, a horizontal sundial, and a diptych sundial.

Building Tall
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In this engineering activity (page 2 of PDF), young learners investigate how a wide base can make a building more stable. Learners use blocks or boxes of different sizes to construct stable towers.

Deep Sea Diver
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In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.

Mechanical Grabber
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In this engineering activity, challenge learners to make a "grabber" that can pick up trash. Learners use simple materials to create pinchers that can grab small items.

On Target
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In this design challenge activity, learners modify a cup so it can carry a marble down a zip line and also drop it onto a target.

As Straight as a Pole
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In this engineering activity (page 3 of PDF), young learners investigate how a pole can be made stable by “planting” its base in the ground or adding supports to the base.

Twirling in the Breeze
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In this engineering activity, learners build a device (an anemometer) to measure how fast the wind is blowing.

Water Filter
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In this engineering activity, challenge learners to invent a water filter that cleans dirty water.

Egg Bungee Jump
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In this activity, learners design a bungee jump for an egg using nylon stockings.

A Question of Balance
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In this activity, learners explore how engineers use scales and measures when designing a manufacturing process to ensure that final products are uniform in weight or count.