STEM Design Challenge (Grades 4 to 8)

SAVE THE DATE!

2026 STEM Design Challenge

March 27, 2026

Parts of the Competition

Join the STEM Design Challenge, an exciting engineering competition for students in grades 4–8! In teams of 2 to 4, you’ll put your creativity and problem-solving skills to the test as you tackle a real-world challenge. Using K’Nex, and/or Engino, you’ll design and build a one-of-a-kind project, craft a Design Notebook, and draw up your team’s blueprint. Bring your best ideas—because the top team at the regional event will earn a spot at the state competition May 8, 2026! It’s hands-on STEM fun with big-time bragging rights on the line!

The 2026 STEM Design Challenge is:

Eco-Factory: Build a Sustainable Production Machine:

In this challenge, elementary and middle school students will design a section of a factory that produces a product using sustainable practices by preparing a prototype constructed of K'Nex and/or Engino, that showcases how their functioning machine works, and how it supports environmentally responsible production.

The machine prototype should clearly demonstrate sustainability principles by minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency, and/or simulating the use of recycled, reusable, or otherwise sustainable parts, materials, or resources.

Teams may choose to incorporate recycled or reused materials into other aspects of the model outside of the K'Nex/Engino prototype, such as background settings, factory signage or products, or visual representation of sustainable resources to highlight environmentally responsible thinking and enhance the model’s commitment to sustainability.

Competition Rules:

• A team of 2-4 students will work together on the project.
• Students must create their prototype using no more than 1400 K’Nex and/or Engino pieces. String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted. 3D printed pieces are NOT allowed. 
• Teams must bring their materials to the competition and will have 2 hours to recreate their project for judging.
• There can be no pre-constructed components brought to the competition. Prototypes must be built "from scratch."
• Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table. Water may not be used as part of the display.
• Each team will need to create and submit a design notebook and a blueprint for viewing at the
  competition.
• Each team will need to prepare a presentation (2 minutes or less) on their model and how it
  answers the challenge.
• Supplementary Materials: (Optional) Recycled or reused materials may be incorporated into other aspects of the model outside of the K'Nex/Engino prototype. See Challenge.

Design Notebook

Blueprint

• 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. Be creative!
• Resources for blueprint ideas

Prototype

• Teams will answer the challenge by creating a prototype of their idea using K’Nex and/or Engino.
• 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. Water may not be used in the display.

Presentation

• Teams are asked to share their ideas in a presentation for the judges.
• Each presentation will be 2 minutes or less.
• Every student on the team should be a part of the presentation.
• Judges may ask questions of the team after the presentation.

• There are two grade categories: Grades 4 - 5 and Grades 6 - 8.
• 4 students per team
• Limited to 4 teams (total) per school district / non-pub school.
• If your district / non-pub school has more than 4 teams that wish to participate, you may still register the names of the additional teams. These teams will be placed on a waitlist. After registration closes, teams on the waitlist will be addressed in the order they were received.
• For student monitoring purposes, a maximum of 8 students per teacher is acceptable, however, we encourage one teacher per team.