Intro to Engineering
About this free Intro to Engineering course
Intro to Engineering is a free, hands-on engineering curriculum for kids that unleashes their inner engineer. It alternates between a short lesson and a build challenge: one week students learn the science behind a problem, and the next week they design, build, test, and improve a solution.
Across 16 weeks, students protect an egg from a fall, launch catapults, build skyscrapers and bridges, clean dirty water, and race balloon-powered cars. Along the way, they explore design thinking, physics, and problem-solving with real tools and simple materials, building critical thinking skills and confidence as future innovators.
Who this course is for
The course is designed for students in grades 3 through 8 and needs no prior experience. It works well for classrooms, libraries, camps, and after-school clubs. Each build uses everyday materials like paper, tape, straws, popsicle sticks, and balloons.
Course outline
- Weeks 1-2: Gravity and the egg drop. How gravity and impact forces work, then designing a device to protect a falling egg.
- Weeks 3-4: Catapults. Levers, stored energy, and launching projectiles with a catapult build.
- Weeks 5-6: What engineers do. The engineering design process, followed by the skyscraper challenge.
- Weeks 7-8: Water filters. How filtration cleans water, then building a DIY water filter.
- Weeks 9-10: Time and distance. Speed and motion, then the paper ball run challenge.
- Weeks 11-12: Bridges. Forces in bridges, then the popsicle stick bridge challenge.
- Weeks 13-14: Airplanes. Lift, drag, thrust, and weight, then a plane build.
- Weeks 15-16: Cars. How cars move, then building a balloon-powered car.
What you'll learn
- Use the engineering design process to plan, build, test, and improve
- Explain forces like gravity, tension, compression, lift, and drag
- Relate speed, time, and distance
- Work in a team to meet design constraints
- Explain what went wrong in a design and how to fix it
How long it takes
Each weekly lesson or build takes about an hour, so plan on around 16 hours in total. Most groups complete it in one semester.
Frequently asked questions about Intro to Engineering
Is Intro to Engineering really free?
Yes. Intro to Engineering is completely free, with no fees, subscriptions, or account required. STEM for Others is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every course in our curriculum library is free for students, families, and teachers.
What materials do I need?
Mostly inexpensive classroom and household supplies, such as paper, tape, straws, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, balloons, cups, sand, and gravel. Many challenges can be run with whatever materials you have on hand.
How do I start the course?
Click Begin Course at the top of this page to open the full slide deck in a new tab. You can also flip through the slides embedded above. Work through one unit at a time and try the practice questions before moving on.
Do I get a certificate?
The self-paced Intro to Engineering materials don't include an official certificate. If you're taking the course through a STEM for Others chapter program, ask your chapter leader about recognizing your completion.
Can teachers and clubs use this curriculum?
Yes. Teachers, homeschool families, libraries, and after-school clubs are welcome to use the Intro to Engineering materials with their students at no cost. STEM for Others volunteers also teach our curriculum in partner schools and libraries. You can find a chapter near you or start one at your school.
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