Maryland Engineering Challenges

Dates have been set for the 2024 Maryland Engineering Challenges! Check them out below.

 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.

If you are interested in learning more about the Maryland Engineering Challenges, click here to fill out the interest form.

Important Information

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 Level

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 Level

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

High School Level

High School Information Sheet

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

 

Additional STEM Opportunities & Resources:

Maryland Science Olympiad

Bmore STEM

Morgan State University Science-Mathematics-Engineering Fair

The Maryland Quality Initiative

National Academy of Engineering—EngineerGirl Program

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