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

In this design challenge, learners will practice empathy and design thinking skills by creating a play space that is fun, both for themselves and other kids.

Groups of learners are provided with a generic car base and an egg. Their mission: design a device/enclosure to protect the egg on or in the car as it rolls down a ramp with increasing slopes.

In this design challenge activity, learners use a balloon and other simple materials to design an air-powered rocket that can hit a distant target.

In this activity (page 1 of PDF under SciGirls Activity: Pet Handedness), learners will construct a simple spinning top out of a circle of construction paper, a film canister lid, and a bamboo skewer.

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GEMS Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into technology design and testing.

This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Kites) is a full inquiry investigation into how a kite’s shape affects its performance.

In this engineering activity (page 5 of PDF), young learners investigate how materials and design contribute to the strength of a structure, particularly walls.

In this activity, learners evaluate the potential performance of air rockets placed inside a wind tunnel.

In this activity, learners will use a variety of household and/or natural objects to design a sculpture that balances from a single point.

Hooray! In this design challenge activity, learners invent a device that launches a spoonful of confetti into the air. Learners are encouraged to create the biggest cloud of confetti possible.

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.

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.

In this activity, learners use simple, everyday materials to experiment with balls and ramps.

In this activity, learners consider how a simple machine, a lever, turns a small push or pull (a small force) into a larger--or stronger--push or pull (a larger force).

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.

In this design challenge activity, learners build a rubber band-powered rover that can scramble across the room.

In this activity, learners will build a stomp-powered launcher to blast off paper rockets they design. Materials can be found at a local hardware store or you may already have them at home.

In this activity, learners construct a simple air pressure launcher for paper rockets.

In this design challenge, learners will create their own roller coaster using household objects for the track and a marble or small ball as their cart.