Context for Challenge Students go on a time-traveling adventure to ancient Mesopotamia, circa 3500 B.C.E., where they meet Nasaba, an innovator who revolutionized pottery making with the world’s first wheel and axle. They must build a merry-go-round using the principles of the wheel and axle introduced by Nasaba. Constraints and Success Criteria The constructed merry-go-round

Context for Challenge Students embark on a journey to ancient Rome to explore how Claudius, the inventor of the aqueduct. He famously solved the city’s water shortage problem using gravity. Inspired by Claudius’s innovative solution to control the water’s flow into Rome, they must build mini aqueducts. The challenge requires students to apply their understanding

Context for Challenge Students are transported back to the 1880s to assist Lamarcus Thompson, the inventor of the roller coaster, in overcoming technological limitations to bring his concept to life. Students explore the potential of simple machines and must build inclined planes to create movement and acceleration using only gravity. Constraints and Success Criteria The

Context for Challenge Students visit to ancient Greece to meet Cynisca, the first woman to win in the Olympic Games. This historical adventure not only highlights a significant figure who overcame gender barriers but also introduces students to the concept of leveraging simple machines in sports. Students must design an original game. Constraints and Success

Context for Challenge Students embark on a mission to design rides for Bill Marriott’s amusement park by learning from historical inventors. They travel to 405 B.C.E. to meet Dionysius the Elder, a Greek tyrant who innovated warfare with a lever-based boulder launcher. Dionysius shares his invention’s mechanism, highlighting the lever’s parts: beam, fulcrum, and load.

Context for Challenge On the opening day of Great America, an amusement park in California, Bill Marriott faces a crisis. His mascot has been scared away, and the park’s supply of churros has been devoured. Enter Special Agent L and team, tasked with creating a new mascot for the park. Students must design a mascot

Challenge Design a Martian model that incorporates at least two vital survival elements: a brain featuring distinct amygdala and pre-frontal cortex sections, and the capability to transport a tank of Martian air (represented by a Wiffle ball). Constraints and Success Criteria The Martian must have a clearly labeled amygdala and pre-frontal cortex within its brain

Challenge Invent musical instruments for the astronauts, who plan to create a Martian music video using a special orbital camera. This camera, designed to orbit Mars with minimal thrust due to the planet’s weaker gravity, will capture their interstellar jam session. Constraints and Success Criteria Instruments must be innovative and suitable for use in a

Challenge Design Martian backpacks equipped with tools essential for exploring Mars’s diverse landscape. You’ll be exploring caves and mountains in search of water, life, and potentially, fossils! Constraints and Success Criteria The backpack must include a minimum of three tools designed specifically for Martian exploration. The tools should focus on the Martian environment, aiding in

Challenge Design a Martian sport that capitalizes on the planet’s reduced gravity, enabling lighter movements and higher jumps. Constraints and Success Criteria The sport must be playable under Martian conditions, emphasizing Mars’ lower gravity. Creativity in utilizing the Martian environment’s unique aspects is encouraged. Materials You do not need any testers for this challenge. Set

Challenge Design a parachute to safely slow down a landing capsule, ensuring a gentle and upright touchdown on Mars. Constraints and Success Criteria The landing system must effectively decelerate a Dixie cup, symbolizing the landing capsule, from a considerable height. The capsule must land vertically without tipping over or landing too harshly. Materials This challenge

Challenge Create connected bio bubbles linked by airtight pathways. The design must allow an astronaut, represented by a Wiffle ball, to traverse between bubbles without external exposure, simulating a safeguard against the inhospitable Martian air. Constraints and Success Criteria The bio bubbles and connecting pathways must be completely sealed, preventing any air or gases from

Challenge Create a bio bubble. The bio bubble must be large enough for astronauts to comfortably move around in and include entry and exit points for transitioning between different activity bubbles. Constraints and Success Criteria The shelter must be hermetically-sealed. Must accommodate sleeping, eating, and recreational activities. Requires entry and exit points for movement between

Challenge Build a rocket ship that can withstand the tricks of the Blame, Complain, and Give-Up Trolls and successfully launch into orbit. Constraints and Success Criteria The rocket must be designed to resist sabotage attempts by the trolls, such as obstructions in rocket boosters or walkways. It should include features or systems that counteract the

Challenge Build a calming space helmet equipped with 3-5 calming activities. These activities should be easily accessible to astronauts in moments of stress, to help them regain their composure and focus on their mission. Constraints and Success Criteria The helmet must fit completely over the head, ensuring it is both practical and safe for space.

Challenge Design unique space aliens to help Captain Smith’s crew acclimate to extraterrestrial beings. These aliens must be capable of standing independently on legs that are thinner than two fingers. Constraints and Success Criteria The aliens designed must be stable enough to stand on their own, with legs no thicker than two fingers. Creativity and

Context and Challenge The mayor has unveiled a challenge posed by the persistent Traffic Jam Trolls, who symbolize the negative habits of blaming, complaining, and giving up. These trolls are metaphors for the obstacles we face daily and our reactions to them. The challenge is to recognize these moments as opportunities to exercise our “superpower”

Context and Challenge Platinum Patroller, known for his incredible weight, desires to sleep on the top bunk without endangering Arachnikid, who sleeps below. This presents a significant challenge that requires innovative architectural solutions to prevent any accidents. Construct a bunkbed that can support Platinum Patroller’s weight on the top bunk without collapsing onto Arachnikid below.

Context and Challenge Evil villains Evil Egghead, Sir Ion, and Magnidude have united to wreak havoc on Superhero Metropolis by launching trolls into playgrounds using their nefarious Troll-Flinger 5000. This has led to the destruction of playgrounds, depriving children of safe play spaces. Create playground structures that can endure the onslaught of the Troll-Flinger 5000.

Context and Challenge Superhero Metropolis is under siege by MagniDude, a villain causing devastating earthquakes. Teamed up with the troublesome traffic-jam trolls — Blame Troll, Complain Troll, and Give-Up Troll — they’ve destroyed the city’s beloved statues. These villains bring chaos and despair, with MagniDude shaking the ground and the trolls spreading negativity with their

Context and Challenge Superhero Metropolis has a new hero, ArachniKid, known for her unique ability to swing between skyscrapers with bubblegum strands. However, she faces a significant challenge in her quest to protect the city: the lack of skyscrapers prevents her from effectively catching villains like the elusive Windsurfer. The city needs innovative architects to

Context and Challenge A unique challenge has arisen with the Platinum Patroller’s arrival in Superhero Metropolis. The Platinum Patroller is a superhero known not only by his heroic deeds but also for the extraordinary weight of his platinum suit. In fact, all that weight has started causing problems. A bridge just collapsed under the weight

Context and Challenge Superhero Metropolis faces a crisis after Sir Ion, a super villain with the ability to control metal, demolished nearly all the city’s bridges in a fit of rage sparked by an embarrassing incident involving chocolate pudding. His actions were a response to public laughter, leading to a sudden and destructive use of

Context for Challenge The Amazing Brainiac is facing a unique challenge with their new roommate, the Incorrigible Sulk, who possesses immense strength and a quick temper. Her reactions can escalate quickly, so Brainiac is looking for a solution to accommodate Sulk’s dual nature of strength and need for tranquility. Design a room that is robust

 Context for Challenge The Amazing Brainiac, known for her incredible intellect and crime prediction abilities, faces ridicule from her nemesis, Egghead. Egghead has constructed a new, sophisticated lair, taunting Brainiac over her outdated mountain-top hideout. To address this, the League of Heroes has enlisted our assistance. Design a secret hideout for the Amazing Brainiac.

Context for Challenge Madame Amazonia, a superhero known for her ability to communicate with animals and her dedication to environment, has tasked us with a unique mission. Create animal sidekicks that can physically stand on their own, supporting Madame Amazonia’s environmental missions. These sidekicks must have legs, excluding the possibility of designing animals like snakes,