Maryland Engineering Challenges
The mission of the Maryland Engineering Challenges is to introduce students in grades 1 to 12 to the role of engineers in today's society and connect what students learn in school with real-world engineering concepts.
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The Maryland Engineering Challenges are designed with national and state STEM initiatives as guidelines. Most challenges include four components:
* Design & Construction of a Project
* Written Report
* Oral Presentation
* Performance Demonstration
Each challenge is supported by professional engineers who volunteer as mentors and judges for their challenge. Additional support comes from local professional or educational organizations in the engineering community.
Interested in supporting the Maryland Engineering Challenges? Click here to request additional information.
The Maryland Engineering Challenges are coordinated by the Baltimore Museum of Industry and sponsored by the Engineering Society of Baltimore, the Technology Education Association of Maryland, and KELVIN.
Students who are interested in participating in the Maryland Engineering Challenges will need an adult Coach--a teacher, parent, or other interested adult--to complete the registration process and provide age-appropriate support for the challenges. Coaches' workshops are scheduled to provide these adults with the information and hands-on practice necessary to mentor students in the Maryland Engineering Challenges.
Hands-On Coaches' Workshops are held in January by most challenges. Registration is required for these workshops. For dates and times, see individual challenge guides below.
Elementary School Challenges...click here for the Elementary School Guide to Entry
Paper Airplane
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Design a paper airplane that flies a paperclip passenger as far as possible.
2010 competition date: March 6, 2010
Safe Racer
Grades 1 & 2, 3
Build a race car that allows a raw egg passenger to survive a crash test and distance trial.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: March 13, 2010
Storybook Theme Park
Grades 4, 5
Construct a moving ride for a theme park based on a literature curriculum reading.
2010 competition date: April 24, 2010
Middle School Challenges...click here for the Middle School Guide to Entry
Cargo Airplane
Grades 6-8
Construct an electrically-powered aircraft to fly a tethered flight with and without cargo.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: February 20, 2010 at the GLM Maryland Aviation Museum's Education Center
Eco-Power
Grades 6-8
Build a wind turbine, turned by a fan, to power LED lights in a building plan.
2010 competition date: May 1, 2010
Future City
Grades 7-8
Design a city using SimCity 4 Deluxe software and create a scale model of one section.
2010 competition date: January 16, 2010
Hovercraft
Grades 6-8
Build the fastest battery-powered hovercraft to cross a flat surface.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 9, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: February 13 at the Mitchell Engineering Building at Morgan State University
Green Environment
Grades 6-8
Design a process to separate a mixture of sand, filings, and ore as efficiently as possible.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 9, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: February 13 at the Mitchell Engineering Building at Morgan State University
Straw Bridge...click here for the SB design guide AND click here for the SB written report guide
Grades 6-8
Construct a plastic drinking-straw bridge to support a 6.5-lb. load for one minute.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: March 27, 2010
High School Challenges...click here for the High School Guide to Entry
Cargo Airplane
Grades 9-12
Construct an electrically-powered aircraft to fly a tethered flight with and without cargo.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: February 20, 2010 at the GLM Maryland Aviation Museum's Education Center
Cargo Ship
Grades 10-12
Build a remote-controlled ship to carry containerized cargo over a water course.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date:May 1, 2010
Robot
Grades 9-12
Create and direct a motor-powered two- or four-leg robot to walk over uneven terrain.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 23, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: April 17 & 18, 2010
Wood Bridge
Grades 9-12
Design and construct a structurally efficient bridge, within given specifications.
Hands-On Workshop: Saturday, January 9, 2010...see guide for details.
2010 competition date: January 30, 2010
For additional information on the 2010 Maryland Engineering Challenges, contact Melinda Cané at mcane@thebmi.org or 410-727-4808 x120
Click here for the latest MEC newsletter.