Curious how to begin? Follow these steps!
The Maryland Engineering Challenges (MEC) is a project-based STEM competition for grades 1 to 12 hosted at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The MEC provides a group project that can be worked on during in-classroom or out-of-classroom time that culminates in state-wide competitions at the museum in the latter part of the school year–January through April.
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.
Participating in the Challenges helps students develop comprehension and problem-solving skills; encourages teamwork and self-confidence; and can promote meaningful mentor relationships with engineering professionals.
In addition to developing students’ STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, and math), each Challenge also integrates reading, writing, and public speaking with hands-on, project-based learning.
Still have questions? Contact Education Manager Jessica Celmer at challenges@thebmi.org and sign up for our emails.
Please see the Challenge Guides on how to register for each challenge and read carefully, as rules or specs may change from year to year. Additional participation suggestions may be found in the Information Sheet at the top of the page.
Robot Coaches’ Hands-on Workshop
Learn the practical aspects of the Robot Challenge in this workshop. Work with engineers to explore design and construction aspects of this project. Especially helpful for first-time Coaches and/or those with little engineering experience. Pickup of robot kits can be arranged during the workshop. Free; registration required.
Questions? Reach out to challenges@thebmi.org
WHEN November 1, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 PM (in-person) & January 20, 2024 from 10:00AM-2:00PM (virtual)
WHERE The Baltimore Museum of Industry
REGISTER HERE https://bit.ly/2024RobotWorkshopRegistration
Can’t make either workshop? Check out recording from last year’s virtual training: Part 1 & Part 2
Cargo Ship Student and Coaches’ Hands-on Workshop
Learn the practical aspects of the Cargo Ship Challenge in this in-person workshop hosted at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Work with engineers to explore design and construction aspects of this project. Especially helpful for first-time Coaches and students as well as those with little engineering experience. Check out the details of the workshop.
Free; registration required. Questions? Reach out to challenges@thebmi.org.
WHEN November 2023
TIME 10:00AM-1:00PM
REGISTER HERE: Registration will open in September
Elementary School Information Sheet
Paper Airplane — Grades 1 to 5
Date: April 2024
Design a paper airplane to safely fly a paperclip “passenger” as far and accurately as possible.
2023 Paper Airplane Guide
Safe Racer — Grades 2 and 3
Date: March 23, 2024
Build a safe and speedy car to allow the “driver,” Eggbert[a], to survive a crash test and distance trial.
2024 Safe Racer Guide
Safe Racer FAQs
Hovercraft — Grades 5 to 8
Date: April 2024
Build the fastest hovercraft to travel across the “Chesapeake Bay.”
2023 Hovercraft Guide
Straw Bridge — Grades 5 to 8
Date: February 3, 2024
Construct a paper straw bridge to support a specific weight for one minute.
2023 Straw Bridge Guide
2023 Straw Bridge Design Specification
Middle School Information Sheet
Future City — Grades 6 to 8
Date: January 13, 2024
Design a city of the future using SimCity software and create a model of one area.
Contact James Brown at midatlantic@futurecity.org for details.
For more information go to: https://futurecity.org/future-city-regions/mid-atlantic/
2024 Future City Information
Robot — Grades 6 to 8
In-Person Date: April 28, 2024
Virtual Date: April 27, 2024
Construct a two or four leg robot to walk under direction over uneven terrain.
2024 Robot Guide
Hovercraft — Grades 5 to 8
Date: April 20, 2024
Build the fastest hovercraft to travel across the “Chesapeake Bay.”
2023 Hovercraft Guide
Straw Bridge — Grades 5 to 8
Date: February 3, 2024
Construct a paper straw bridge to support a specific weight for one minute.
2023 Straw Bridge Guide
2023 Straw Bridge Design Specification
Wood Bridge — Grades 9 to 12
Date: February 3, 2024
Design a structurally efficient bridge to hold the maximum load before breaking.
Contact Michael Newman at conradnewman13@gmail.com for details.
2023 International Competition Rules
2023 Wood Bridge Information Sheet
Robot — Grades 9 to 12
In-Person Date: April 28, 2024
Virtual Date: April 27, 2024
Construct a two or four leg robot to walk under direction over uneven terrain.
2024 Robot Guide
Cargo Ship — Grades 9 to 12
Date: April 2024
Design and demonstrate a ship to carry containerized cargo over a water course.
2023 Cargo Ship Guide
Sponsored by:
BD Diagnostics | BGE-an Exelon Company | The Engineering Society of Baltimore | IEEE Baltimore | Intralox | KELVIN | Northrop Grumman | W.R. Grace
Michael Hinkey and Kathryn Benson | The Propeller Club of Baltimore | NAVSEA at Carderock
Supported by:
Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland
Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair
The Maryland Quality Initiative
National Academy of Engineering—EngineerGirl Program
Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Click for a Google map.
FREE on-site parking for our guests.
Phone: 410.727.4808
Email: info@thebmi.org
Rates
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Senior [62+] – $10
Student [w ID] – $8
Youth [6-17] – $8
Child [5 & under] – Free
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Hours
The BMI is open to the public:
Wednesday 9am – 3pm
Thursday 9am – 3pm
Friday 9am – 3pm
Saturday 9am – 3pm
Sunday 9am – 3pm
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In addition to cash donations, which can be pledged by check or credit card, the BMI gladly accepts gifts of stock, planned or deferred contributions, and in-kind services. To discuss giving options, please contact the Development Office at giving@thebmi.org or 410.727.4808 x129.
To learn more about donating artifacts to the collection, please visit our Artifact Donation page.
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