LockwoodSTEM Challenge Library

Find your next engineering challenge.

Browse 80 detailed challenges across IED, POE, and ADM.

IED-0.1Engineering Challenge

Redesign the Rocket Launch Pad

Intermediate2 class periods

Redesign the launch pad to use less material while maintaining stability, rocket fit, and safe classroom handling.

IED-0.2Practice & Review

Reverse Engineer a Classroom Object

Beginner45-60 minutes

Analyze a classroom object and create an engineering record that explains its parts, materials, assembly, and likely manufacturing methods.

IED-0.3Competition

Emergency Communications Tower

Intermediate45 minutes

Build the tallest free-standing paper tower that supports a 200 g payload for 30 seconds.

IED-0.4Practice & Review

Engineering Notebook Excellence Audit

Beginner30-45 minutes

Upgrade one incomplete or weak notebook entry into a professional engineering record.

IED-0.5Aerospace Mission

Engineering Failure Investigation

Intermediate1-2 class periods

Investigate a major engineering failure and identify how design-process improvements could have reduced the risk.

IED-1.1Engineering Challenge

Reverse Engineer a Hand Tool

Intermediate1-2 class periods

Produce accurate multiview and isometric documentation for an approved hand tool.

IED-1.2Competition

Measurement Accuracy Competition

Beginner45 minutes

Measure a set of mystery parts as accurately and consistently as possible.

IED-1.3Engineering Challenge

Create Picture-Only Assembly Instructions

Advanced2 class periods

Disassemble an approved object and create picture-only instructions that another student can use to reassemble it.

IED-1.4Practice & Review

Peer Design Review of the Rocket

Intermediate45-60 minutes

Conduct a professional, evidence-based review of another team’s rocket design and recommend prioritized improvements.

IED-1.5Skill Builder

Engineering Drawing Makeover

Intermediate60 minutes

Revise a weak engineering drawing so it communicates the part clearly and can be used for fabrication or inspection.

IED-2.1Engineering Challenge

Reverse Engineer a Tape Measure Hook

Intermediate2 class periods

Measure and model a tape measure hook as a fully constrained, parametric CAD part.

IED-2.2Competition

Thirty-Minute CAD Sprint

Intermediate30 minutes plus review

Model a randomly assigned object accurately within 30 minutes, then evaluate which modeling choices improved speed and quality.

IED-2.3Aerospace Mission

Lightweight Bracket Redesign

Advanced2-3 class periods

Redesign an Teacher-provided bracket to reduce modeled mass by at least 20% while preserving interfaces and basic load capability.

IED-2.4Skill Builder

Design for 3D Printing

Intermediate1-2 class periods

Redesign the part to improve printability while preserving its function.

IED-2.5Practice & Review

3D Print Failure Detective

Beginner45-60 minutes

Inspect failed prints, identify likely causes, and recommend a controlled correction for each failure.

IED-3.1Engineering Challenge

Simplify the Rocket Assembly

Advanced2 class periods

Redesign the assembly to reduce part count or assembly time while preserving required function and overall envelope.

IED-3.2Skill Builder

Portfolio-Quality Exploded View

Intermediate1-2 class periods

Create a professional exploded view, BOM, and assembly-order visual suitable for a portfolio or design review.

IED-3.3Engineering Challenge

Fit and Tolerance Investigation

Advanced2-3 class periods

Design and test a tolerance coupon that identifies useful clearance, transition, and press-fit dimensions for the classroom printer.

IED-3.4Practice & Review

Manufacturing Readiness Review

Intermediate60 minutes

Perform a manufacturing readiness review of another student’s rocket assembly and identify issues before production.

IED-3.5Aerospace Mission

Prototype Component Upgrade

Intermediate2-3 class periods

Redesign, print, and compare one component so the revised prototype performs better in a defined test.

IED-4.1Aerospace Mission

Select a Material for a Drone Arm

Advanced1-2 class periods

Compare candidate materials and recommend the best choice for a defined drone-arm scenario.

IED-4.2Practice & Review

Friction Surface Investigation

Beginner60-90 minutes

Compare friction for three surface materials and recommend the best tray liner.

IED-4.3Engineering Challenge

Design a 5:1 Gear Reduction

Intermediate1-2 class periods

Design a gear system with an overall reduction close to 5:1 and demonstrate the expected speed and torque tradeoff.

IED-4.4Skill Builder

Turn Class Data into an Engineering Decision

Intermediate60 minutes

Analyze a class data set, create appropriate visualizations, and make an evidence-based engineering recommendation.

IED-4.5Creative Builder

Build a Simple Electromechanical Device

Advanced2-3 class periods

Design and build a simple electromechanical device such as an alarm, fan, indicator, mini conveyor, or launcher with a safe, defined function.

IED-5.1Engineering Challenge

Redesign for Limited Hand Strength

Intermediate2 class periods

Redesign an approved classroom product to reduce required grip force or improve control without removing its core function.

IED-5.2Aerospace Mission

Sustainable Packaging for a Rocket Component

Intermediate2-3 class periods

Design, build, and test sustainable packaging for a provided component.

IED-5.3Skill Builder

Client Design Brief Sprint

Intermediate2 class periods

Interview a client, convert their needs into a design brief, and recommend a concept.

IED-5.4Aerospace Mission

Aerospace Product Life-Cycle Analysis

Advanced1-2 class periods

Map the life cycle of an aerospace-related product and recommend two realistic improvements.

IED-5.5Creative Builder

Engineering Portfolio Showcase

Advanced2-3 class periods

Transform your strongest project into a concise portfolio case study that demonstrates process, evidence, revision, and communication.