STEM engineering challenges for Year 4-7 (KS2): eight hands-on design and build projects with a 40-page student workbook and an 11-page teacher supplement, using simple materials such as paper, straws, foil, balloons and tape.

Teams solve a real problem, design and build a prototype, test it twice and record what they changed between attempts. Every challenge has a measurable success criterion and a timing plan, so you know exactly how the lesson will run. The key idea is that mistakes are part of learning.

What is included (51 pages, 2 PDF files, black and white)

Student workbook, 40 pages: eight challenges with five pages each

• The tallest tower
• The strongest bridge
• The most accurate catapult
• The boat that carries the most (foil boat)
• The slowest parachute
• The car that travels farthest (balloon-powered car)
• The best rain hat
• The grasping mechanical hand

Each challenge has: the scenario, a design brief (materials, constraints, goal, testing procedure and safety), design and build, test and improve with two recorded attempts, and a presentation page.

Teacher supplement, 11 pages

• Engineering design process poster for the wall
• Assessment rubric
• Eight supported versions for pupils who need more scaffolding
• Classroom record sheet

Ways to use

• Design and technology and science lessons
• STEM club, maker days and science week
• Cover lessons and end of term projects
• Gifted and talented extension and group work
• Home education

PDF, US Letter (“Fit to page” to print on A4). English.