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
- Begin your project learning with the engineering design project resource guide.
- Reflect on your project and what you've learned using 4-H record keeping.
Engineering Design Challenge
The engineering design challenge encourages critical thinking, creativity, innovation and problem solving in a non-traditional learning event while having fun!
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.
Resources for supporting youth in engineering design
Engineering design activities in the youth development curriculum library.
Learn about the Engineering Design Process so you can support youth in designing, testing and improving an engineering design that solves a problem.
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 (Google Doc).
Reviewed in 2026