STEM Design Challenge

Each year, teams are given the “STEM Design Challenge” to find a solution to an engineering problem. Students work in small teams to design and build their project out of a K’Nex Challenge set. Students are then judged on the following criteria: Creativity, Teamwork, Challenge Success, Design, Presentation, Budget.

2023 STEM Design Challenge

Major environmental issues, including climate change and pollution are currently facing our world. Your team is being tasked to research environmental issues, identify one that your team would like to address, and create a solution to that issue. Build a prototype out of K’Nex that supports your solution.

Competition Date: March 30, 2023
Location: In-Person at CIU10 Centre County - 60 Decibel Rd., Suite 107, State College, PA 16801
Fee: $100 per team
Registration Deadline: March 1, 2023
Note: Registrations cannot be accepted after the deadline has passed.

STEM Design Challenge 2023 Season Information

STEM Design Challenge Resources

STEM Design Challenge Kit Components

Register Here

Payment:

Checks should be made out to Central Intermediate Unit 10 or CIU10

Payment should be mailed to:

Central Intermediate Unit 10
200 Shadylane Dr
Suite 100
Philipsburg, PA 16866
ATTN: STEM Design Competition

Melissa Duckworth, Consultant

- A team of 4 students (maximum) will work together on the project.
- Teams may use up to 1400 pieces. Any pieces, as long as they are K’Nex, may be used. String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted.
- Schools must bring their K’Nex pieces on the day of the competition.
- Students will have 2 hours to put together their project at the competition.
- Each team will need to bring a journal and a blueprint to the competition.
- Each team will need to prepare a presentation (max 2 minutes) on their model and how they answered the challenge. Middle school students will also need to present their inventory.
- Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table. Water may not be used as part of the display.
- This should be a journal of the team’s progress from start to finish.
- The Notebook should include elements of the Engineering Design Process.
- Resources for Design Notebooks
- A blueprint is a technical drawing or design plan for a project. It is used to represent the final product.
- Blueprints for the STEM Design Challenge can be a drawing, cad drawing, online sketch, etc. Pictures may not be used.
- Resources for blueprint ideas
- Teams will answer the challenge by creating a prototype of their idea using K’Nex pieces.
- Teams may include a backdrop or artwork, but judges will not consider this in their scoring.
- Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table. Wate may not be used in the display.