What problem do you want to solve -- cook a hot dog with the sun? Make a car run on wind power? Communicate with birds? Design a solution and build it. Learn engineering design skills and you'll know how.
What can you do?
In the engineering design project, you can design, build and test:
- Model of a roller coaster.
- Bottle rocket launcher.
- Catapult or trebuchet.
- How simple machines operate.
- Model of a wind turbine.
These are just some of the many ways you can participate in this project.
Project information
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
- Contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
The Engineering Design Process -A key way to learn about engineering design is to use the Engineering Design Process (EDP). The EDP is a cycle of individual steps that can be used in either a sequential order or a mixed order and be repeated as many times as needed. Applying the steps to creating solutions guides learning and provides a “roadmap” to the problem-solving process.
Other resources
- Wind energy experiment from National 4-H (free)
- Rubber band cars experiment from National 4-H (free)
- Iowa 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology Hot Sheet (free download)
- 3-D modeling derby, Engineering an Empire and other activity books from Utah 4-H (free download)
- Try Engineering (free online games)
- PBS Design Squad
- Curiosity Machine design challenges
- Engineering science fair projects from education.com
- Engineering is Everywhere hands-on activities
- Power of the Wind activities and kit (for sale)
- Engineering Go For It activities, careers, scholarships and more
Engineering Design Challenge
The engineering design challenge encourages critical thinking, creativity, innovation and problem solving in a non-traditional learning event while having fun!
National Youth Science Day
An exciting, interactive learning experience that engages thousands of youth across the country in conducting the National Science Experiment.
Project opportunities near you
Get in touch with your local 4-H office to learn about engineering design project events and activities in your area.
Interested in getting involved as an engineering design project volunteer?
Contact your local 4-H office or learn more about volunteering in 4-H.
Fair information
What does it mean to show at the fair?
For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the Minnesota State Fair) are not just fun events. They provide youth opportunities to exhibit the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year– and to continue their learning.
Contact your local 4-H office for engineering design project showcase opportunities near you.
Exhibit ideas and judging criteria
Get exhibit ideas and find out what the judge is looking for in the evaluation sheet.
Cool videos
Paper bridges, gliders and more
Build your engineering design skills with these at-home activities.
Reviewed in 2018