Design Challenges

STEM activities for curious families and classrooms

Technovation Families' free design challenges explore a range of science, technology, and engineering topics through fun, hands-on activities that promote creativity and problem-solving to find unique solutions.

Learn from the scientists and engineers who are creating the technologies of tomorrow, and use what you learn to build your own invention!

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All Design Challenges

Engineer a Wind Powered Water Pump

Engineer a Wind Powered Water Pump

Build a wind powered turbine that can pump water up from the ground.

Build a Rube Goldberg Machine

Build a Rube Goldberg Machine

Build a machine that accomplishes a task in an inefficient way.

Build a Strong Honeycomb Structure

Build a Strong Honeycomb Structure

Build a honeycomb structure that is able to support a heavy textbook or more.

Engineer a Speedboat

Engineer a Speedboat

Build a fast, stable boat that can move through the water for long distances on a zip line.

Engineer an Ocean Bottom Sampler

Engineer an Ocean Bottom Sampler

Design a tool that can lift objects from a water depth of at least 1 foot.

Engineer a Balloon Helicopter

Engineer a Balloon Helicopter

Build a balloon helicopter that can fly at least 3 feet from the ground.

Make a Mechanical Leg

Make a Mechanical Leg

Make a ball and socket joint that mimics the movement of a human hip or shoulder.

Camouflage an Animal

Camouflage an Animal

Camouflage an animal in any environment so that you can’t see it – even in plain sight.

Build a Cam Mechanism

Build a Cam Mechanism

Create a simple machine that transfers a rotational motion into a linear vertical motion.

Are you ready to change the world?

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