Engineering Design Process Worksheets for 10 Simple STEM Challenge Activities

Use engineering design challenges to get kids thinking! This STEM set offers graphic organizers that guide kids through the steps of the process. Worksheets support 10 specific projects. A blank template, review material, and a test are also included.

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Each engineering design activity uses simple materials and requires minimal set up.

• Tasks are open-ended and student-driven.
• Few limits are established on the student sheets. Instead, you may impose limits (amount of time, amount of materials, types of materials, etc.) that work best for your classroom.
• Each STEM investigation requires two to three class periods.

What’s Included:

• Support material - teaching tips, templates, vocabulary
• 10 one-page teacher directions
• 10 one-page student directions
• 10 two-page worksheets
• 1 two-page generic template
• Test + answer key

Engineering Design Challenge Activities:

• Tin Foil Boats
• Paper Airplanes
• The Egg Drop
• Spaghetti Towers
• Bell Silencer
• Zipline Challenge
• Candy Catapult 1
• Candy Catapult 2
• Newspaper Table
• Balloon Rockets

Steps in the Engineering Design Process:

• Define the problem with a need, criteria, and constraints.
• Research.
• Brainstorm possible solutions.
• Choose one solution.
• Build a prototype.
• Test and record observations.
• Evaluate to find failure points.
• Improve and conduct a fair test. (Kids learn to manipulate only one variable at a time.)

I resolved to challenge my students with one design activity per month. To achieve this, I paired each of my favorite STEM investigations with a simple, straightforward worksheet. Wow! My students’ engagement, enthusiasm, and knowledge of engineering processes has skyrocketed!

Enjoy teaching!

Brenda Kovich