Educator Resources

• Engineering Journals
  Practice writing and documentation skills, whether in-person or virtual, with this journaling lesson.
  Video 

• Shipwreck Shelters
  Students will work in teams to build structures that can withstand a natural hazard. They will visit three “islands” (stations) and build a structure with only two or three materials.
  
  
• Wind Maze
  Students will explore the elements by designing a wind maze, a device that can direct the wind along a specific path.

The Tech Challenge aligns with the engineering design standards.

Here’s a shortened version of those standards, along with their corresponding sections, for quick reference:

Define Engineering Problems

MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to  ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. 

• SEP: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
• DCI: ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems 

Evidence: 

• Describe a problem that can be solved with an object, tool, process or system.
• Identify the system in which the problem is embedded. 
• Identify individuals or groups affected, their needs and the impact of the problem/solution. 
• Define criteria that enable quantitative comparisons among different solutions. 
• Define constraints including time, materials, and costs, safety, environmental impact, etc.  

Develop Possible Solutions 

MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 

• SEP: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
• DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions 

Evidence: 

• Identify science knowledge related to the problem.
• Look at similar problems that have been solved in the past. 
• Identify possible solutions. 
• Consider social/environmental issues. 
• Use a systematic method (e.g., a decision matrix) to support claims, evidence, reasoning and conclusions. 

Optimize the Solution 

MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria.

• SEP: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions, and ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution 

Evidence: 

• Organize data into tables, charts or graphs to assess the effectiveness of possible solutions. 
• Use the analyzed data to identify evidence of similarities and differences in solutions. • Make a claim for which characteristics of each design best meet the criteria and constraints. 
• Compile best features into an improved, redesigned solution. 

MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

• SEP: Developing and Using Models
• DCI: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions, and ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design 

Evidence: 

• Identify the limitations of the final model. 
• Describe how the data generated by the model, along with criteria and constraints that the proposed solution must meet, were used to optimize the design. 
• Use an iterative cycle of modeling, testing, analyzing, refining and retesting to complete the process.

The Tech Challenge helps students build 21st century skills such as critical thinking, communication and teamwork. To learn more about 21st century skills, click here.

Click here for past Tech Challenge lessons.