DESIGN, BUILD AND TEST ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

Title	DESIGN, BUILD AND TEST ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
Summary	Students develop engineering skills by designing and building a prototype air-powered rocket car. The sessions allow students to experience and learn from the engineering cycle, testing their solutions and improving them iteratively. The sessions also promote the development of workplace skills, through working together to achieve the best possible solution within given constraints.
Level(s)	KS2 KS3 KS4
Key elements Sessions are tailored to the key stage of the audience, and include the following:	Curriculum and STEM skills: Forces in motion and the application of Newton’s Laws Application of maths Understanding of additive manufacturing & its real-world applications (3D-printed component option) Employability skills: Awareness of STEM roles and careers Planning & organising Communication, listening & time management Teamwork, negotiation & delegation
Duration	Design, build and test sessions last approximately 2 – 2.5 hours
Typical day format	Opening presentation to all participating students (or the whole school if preferred) Design, build and run sessions x 2
Options	Two options are available: K’Nex 3D-printed components (including additive manufacturing and a focus on materials science) Both require an indoor track of 10m x 2m.
Student numbers	K’Nex 30 – 120 3D 30 or classroom size experience