Young Engineers Take on Real-World Challenges in STEM Design Challenge

Lower School students on the Historic Downtown Campus recently put their engineering skills to the test in this year’s STEM Design Challenge. Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9—Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure—students designed prototypes that addressed real-world challenges in infrastructure, transportation, and urban development. With creativity and collaboration at the forefront, they explored ways to make cities, roads, and systems more efficient, sustainable, and accessible.

Working in teams of 2-4, students built their prototypes from scratch using K’Nex and/or Engino pieces. They documented their progress in design notebooks reflecting on their progress and projects, created blueprints, and presented their models to a panel of judges. Each team delivered a compelling two-minute presentation, sharing their ideas and answering judges’ questions with confidence. Our students showcased innovation and teamwork through their impressive projects:

This hands-on learning experience challenged students to think like engineers—testing ideas, refining designs, and bringing their concepts to life. By applying STEM principles in a real-world context, they strengthened their critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills, preparing them for future challenges and innovations.