Family Resources

From exploring personal interests to selecting and paying for college, these discussion starters provide guidance and insight to help facilitate conversations with your student(s) at home.

9-12

Family Discussion Starter

Finding The Right College Fit

Considering and applying to college can be an overwhelming process for families. This discussion starter will help families focus on key areas in a college search from...

College and Career Resources
English Language Arts
Social Emotional Learning

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9-12

Family Discussion Starter

Navigating Financial Aid

For many families, paying for a college education may seem out of reach. Very few can afford to pay for one year of college, let alone four. And many families automatically assume...

College and Career Resources
English Language Arts
Social Emotional Learning

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Design Challenges

Ready to have some fun? These family-friendly activities will unlock your creativity to explore, design and test solutions for real-world problems. The challenges use everyday household items but you can switch them out with similar items you have at home.

Watch the Design Challenges Introduction for students at home Invent a Vehicle Demonstration Video

Invent a Vehicle

Develop a new vehicle for transporting hazardous waste.

Invent a Vehicle Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Move the Marbles

Create a maze to move marbles from the tabletop to the floor.

Move the Marbles Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Build an Alphabet Block

Create a cube/block with letters of the alphabet.

Build an Alphabet Block Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Build an Arch

Build an arch that is three feet tall.

Build an Arch Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Miniature Amusement Park

Build an amusement park on a square of cardboard.

Miniature Amusement Park Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Spin a Marshmallow

Create a device that will spin a marshmallow.

Spin a Marshmallow Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Suspend It

Suspend an egg from a paper clip hanging from a yardstick.

Suspend It Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Car Showcase

Create a pedestal for each of the miniature cars.

Car Showcase Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Parachute

Design a parachute that can hold weight and descend slowly.

Parachute Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Move the Ping Pong Balls

Suspend an egg from a paper clip hanging from a yardstick.

Move the Ping Pong Balls Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Go The Distance

Create a flying machine that travels the farthest possible distance.

Go The Distance Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Move The Can

Using a string, you must move an unopened can across the floor.

Move The Can Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Tallest Tower

Build the tallest, free-standing tower with newspaper.

Tallest Tower Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Move The Cotton Balls

Move the cotton balls into the paper bag without touching the cotton balls.

Move The Cotton Balls Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Design A Trampoline

Design a trampoline that will lift an object that weighs three ounces.

Design A Trampoline Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Basketball Shooter

Design a basketball shooter and hoop.

Basketball Shooter Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Space Lander

Design a lander that can keep two mini marshmallows (“aliens”) inside a cup.

Space Lander Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Simple Device

Design a device that will move a cup of beads from one side of the table to the other.

Simple Device Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Bridge Builder

Build the strongest bridge with a unique design.

Bridge Builder Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Flotation Device

Design a device that will float in water and hold 50 pennies.

Flotation Device Design Challenge Spanish Language Version

Success Stories

Meet Kavya Kopparapu

Named Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018, Harvard student Kavya Kopparapu is on a mission to introduce more girls to STEM. Her nonprofit, GirlsComputingLeague, has allowed her to reach thousands of girls and speak at numerous distinguished STEM events across the country.

Learn More