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Lessons and Activities
Support your team on their Tech Challenge adventure with these hands-on activities.
What do students learn from The Tech Challenge?
Students learn the design process, communication, teamwork, critical thinking and more! The design process is the way engineers approach problem solving. At The Tech we call this the “Innovation Design Process” and we have a range of resources and tips for building these skills in defining problems, prototyping, gathering data and testing, and sharing solutions. Throughout this process you’ll notice that students are also learning to apply mathematics and computational thinking, build academic language, and develop a STEM identity.
Before the challenge launches, try out these icebreakers and quick design challenges
Mini Challenges
8 activities
These short engineering challenges are a fun way to practice prototyping.
Target timeline: Any time!
Shipwreck Shelters
60 minutes
Build within a time limit using limited materials.
Target timeline: October - December
Past Tech Challenge Lessons
Two 60 minute sessions
Browse Resources from previous Tech Challenges
Resources to help teams get started
Reading the Rules
30 minutes
Use these fun icebreakers to understand the complex details of the criteria and constraints for The Tech Challenge.
Target timeline: November - February
Engineering Journals
60 minutes
Document ideas, observations, and reflections through diagrams and explanatory text.
Target timeline: October - December
Brainstorming Ideas
Two 60 minute sessions
Develop brainstorming and research skills which can be applied to any problem.
Target timeline: October - December
The Tech Challenge 2027
Check back in October for our newest resources for this year’s challenge. In the meantime, build understanding of the science and engineering concepts related to this year’s theme with these resources.
Linkages
20 minutes
Design a contraption that uses linkages to connect two or more rigid parts to make a flexible hinge.
Target timeline: October- February
Exploring Chain Reactions
Two 60-minute sessions
Practice building different wheels, axles, pulleys and more!
Target timeline: October - February
Count the Seconds
90 minutes
Design a device that can track a specific amount of time and indicate when that time has passed with a sound or visual signal.
Target timeline: October - February
Get in the Game
90 minutes
Use computational thinking (decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms) to design your own board game!
Target timeline: October - February
Design for All: Designing for Dexterity
2-5 hours
Students work in teams to design a user-centered device for someone who has a specific need related to hand mobility.
Target timeline: October- February
Design for All: Project Playground
30 minutes
Become playground designers, draw a playground for yourself and a fictional friend using a persona. Then pitch your design to get feedback.
Target timeline: October- February
Practice for the Showcase
Use these resources to build confidence and communication skills as you prepare for The Tech Challenge Showcase.
Intergalactic Interview
Two 60-minute sessions
Make design considerations based on concepts of potential and kinetic energy.
Target timeline: March - April
Sharing Tech Tip
Create a classroom culture that supports communication, constructive feedback, and iteration.
Standards
The Tech Challenge aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Each grade band of NGSS lists engineering design standards that teams practice while participating in The Tech Challenge. Here are some middle school examples. Learn more about NGSS at nextgenscience.org.