We have several basic STEM challenges for all ages. Each challenge presents a design problem and set of materials for its solution. Challenges are open-ended; there is no “correct” solution. Each challenge offers opportunity to explore how design, materials, and creative choice combine to solve problems.
- Architecture / Buildings
- Cell Tower Design Challenge – design the tallest self-standing tower with limited materials.
- Bridge Building: Three Challenges – design and build a bridge from simple materials, and test its strength.
- Hurricane Challenge – “A Place for a Pig”– Design and build from limited materials a “Place for a Pig” strong enough to withstand a huffing-and-puffing wolf … or a hurricane.
- She-Shed/He-Shed
- Marble Rollercoaster
- Transport
- Paper Airplanes
- Puff Mobiles
- Robots
- BristleBots
- Ciphers and Codes
- Cyclic Shift / Transposition (Caesar Cipher)
- Substitution
- Code Books
- Electricity
- Switches
- Logic Circuits – Design logic circuits for basic computer operations, using simple Do-It-Yourself switches, or in TinkerCAD Circuits, a Computer-Aided-Design tool with simulation.