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

Create a Circuit to Light an LED

Create a Circuit to Light an LED

Build a simple circuit that enables you to turn on a small LED.

Build a Hydroelectric Waterwheel

Build a Hydroelectric Waterwheel

Design a waterwheel that can generate electricity from the flow of water.

Generate Electricity to Light Up an LED

Generate Electricity to Light Up an LED

Design and build a simple generator that turns on a small LED light for at least 1 minute without using a battery.

Build a Joint Mechanism

Build a Joint Mechanism

Turn a straw into a simple machine that works in the same way that the joints in your body work.

Build a Crank Mechanism

Build a Crank Mechanism

Build a simple machine that transfers rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion (repetitive back and forth motion).

Engineer a Redwood Tree

Engineer a Redwood Tree

Build a redwood tree that is taller than you and that can stand on its own.

Map the Ocean Floor

Map the Ocean Floor

Build a device that can map out the shape of the ocean floor.

Engineer a Space Tool

Engineer a Space Tool

Design a tool that an astronaut could use to pick up an object in space.

Build an Edible Skyscraper

Build an Edible Skyscraper

Create a bio-glue that holds together a graham cracker skyscraper.

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