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Small Worlds
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This is a simple activity fully driven by imagination. Using materials from the home, toys, or items from nature, learners create their own world to play with.

Cupcake Delivery
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In this design challenge, learners will create wind-powered contraptions to transport a load, such as a cupcake or another small object, and test to see if they work.

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.

Feed the Birds
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Learners construct a bird feeder from re-used materials. After hanging their feeder, they keep a journal about what birds visit the feeder.

Build a Rocket - and a Launch Pad!
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners construct a rocket powered by the pressure generated from an effervescing antacid tablet reacting with water, and build a launch pad for their rocket.

Design a Grabbing Tool
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Using simple materials from around the house and recycled materials, learners will engineer a grabber device to pick up and put down objects that are at least 12 inches away.

Lego Man Jump
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In this activity, learners are challenged to create a parachute using easily sourced materials in order to transport a LEGO figure safely to the ground.

Hail Storm House
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In this activity, learners construct hail-proof houses using recycled materials to discuss storm readiness and safety.

Draggin' Boats
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Learners design, build, and test models of "dragon boats" made from up to three milk cartons.
Build a Bridge
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In this activity, learners use recycled materials to build a bridge that holds as many potatoes as possible. They investigate weight, height, strength, and measurement as they seek design solutions.

Good Vibrations
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In this activity, learners create a sound visualizer from common materials to help see the vibrations created by sound. Sounds from a tone generator make salt dance on a vibrating balloon membrane.

Build a Better Roof
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In this activity, learners will engineer a roof using simple materials to protect a construction paper person from a rainstorm.

Roller Coasters
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In this activity learners will build roller coasters and test them using small balls or marbles.

DIY Weather Vane
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In this activity, learners will engineer their own weather vane. This activity includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and a "What's Happening?" section explaining how the activity worked.

Constellation Viewer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore what a constellation is and make their own.

Stack 'Em Up
Source Institutions
In this simple and fun activity, learners build a tower of cups to explore distribution of weight. Learners make predictions about their towers and test their designs.

Sticky Structures
Source Institutions
In this engineering/design/arts and crafts activity, learners design and build "platforms" or "bridges" that can hold weight, and test which glue makes the strongest structure.

Build a Fruit Fly Trap
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In this construction activity, students use a 2-liter bottle to build a fly trap.

Marshmallow Models
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No glue is needed for learners of any age to become marshmallow architects or engineers.

Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Source Institutions
In this inquiry-based learning activity, learners design, build, and test their own ramps. They are introduced to a variety of materials and explore putting them together.