Elementary & Middle School

  • A Team Challenge

    The STEM Design Challenge is for small teams of 4th - 8th graders who are challenged to brainstorm, develop, and implement a solution to an engineering problem using various building materials.

    Equipping Teachers

    At the heart of the program is a teacher training workshop to prepare teacher coaches for the year's competition.

    Workforce Partners as Judges

    On competition day, scientists, engineers, technicians and specialists from Chester County workforce partners serve as judges, bridging the connection between K-12 and the STEM workforce.

    2022 Challenge

    Infrastructure is the framework of our world. Buildings, roads, and power supplies are part of the infrastructure needs of our society. Your challenge is to improve our transportation system. Think of current transportation systems like air travel, vehicle travel, bicycling, etc. In what ways can they be improved to create a safer, healthier, and cleaner world? Or does your team have an idea for a new transportation system? Create a prototype that shows this improved, or new, transportation system. Demonstrate how your system works by moving a ping pong ball through your prototype.
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Sponsored by:

  • Thermo Fisher logo

K’Nex Kits

  • K'nex and recyclable materials may be used in the creation of the design. LEGO's may not be used.

Judging Criteria

    • Creativity
    • Teamwork
    • Challenge Success
    • Design
    • Presentation

Awards

    • Awards will be given to top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8
    • Additional prizes may be awarded (best blueprint, most creative, etc.)
    • First-place winners in each division will advance to the virtual state competition that will be held in May. Date to be announced.

Resources