Engineering Creativity—From Ideas to Working Prototypes

The STEM Explorers: Engineering for Innovation program shows students that engineering is not just about building things that work—it is about building things that work better. Through forty class periods of design challenges spanning roller coasters, dragsters, inventions, and additive manufacturing, students develop the creative confidence and technical skills to turn ideas into reality.

Students explore how engineering innovation supports professionals in fields such as:

• Product design and consumer goods development
• Automotive and motorsport engineering
• Theme park and amusement ride design
• Additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping
• Mechanical engineering and simple machine applications

They do not just learn about engineering. They engineer solutions that move, race, and launch.

Science

• Energy transformation—potential to kinetic in roller coasters and dragsters
• Newton’s laws of motion applied to air-powered vehicles
• Aerodynamics, friction, and drag reduction
• Simple machines and mechanical advantage

Technology

• 3Doodler additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping
• AP Dragster Launcher for performance testing
• Engineering notebooks for documenting the design process
• Fabrication tools—coping saws, files, sandpaper, glue guns

Engineering

• Full engineering design process—sketch, build, test, refine
• Designing within specifications and material constraints
• Aerodynamic optimization through iterative testing
• Collaborative problem-solving in the Contraption Challenge

Math

• Measuring dimensions, angles, and distances
• Calculating speed, energy, and mechanical advantage
• Analyzing race-day performance data
• Ratios, proportions, and scaling in design

Modeling (5 lessons):

• Additive Manufacturing—Learn about the growing industry of additive manufacturing

• Proper Use and Safety—Learn the use, care, and safety of the 3Doodler pen

• Basic Skill Development—Engage in activities to learn basic 3Doodler skills

• 3-D Shapes—Create 3-D shapes using the 3Doodler pen

• Prototyping—Design and create a keychain prototype

Innovate (3 lessons):

• Inventors—Study important inventors and their inventions

• Vertical Motion in Action—Invent an elevator to transport a figure ten inches or more

• Weight and Resistance—Design a balloon-powered tractor that pulls a trailer

Energy Transformation (6 lessons):

• Roller Coasters—Learn science concepts related to roller coasters

• Component Preparation—Prepare components to create three roller coaster variations

• Basic Roller Coaster—Create and test a coaster with 90-degree turns and a 180-degree turn

• Funnel Top Roller Coaster—Construct and test a spinning feature on the Basic Roller Coaster

• Vertical Circle—Create and test a loop or inversion on the Basic Roller Coaster

• Roller Coaster Train—Collaborate to design and create a prototype roller coaster train

Aerodynamics and Energy (10 lessons):

• Science of Speed—Explore science concepts related to dragsters and tool safety

• Sketch Design—Create thumbnail, rough, and final sketches

• Transfer Design—Transfer the final drawing to the body blank

• Rough Fabrication—Cut and rough shape the dragster

• Drag Reduction—Smooth the body to reduce aerodynamic friction

• Visual Engineering—Combine aesthetics with purposeful design and apply a finish

• Guidance System Installation—Add launch tube and guidance system

• Wheel Integration—Add axles and wheels and test alignment

• Prototype Wheel—Design and create a prototype wheel

• Race Day / Performance Review—Race dragsters and analyze performance data

Inventive Engineering (6 lessons):

• Simple Machines—Learn the six simple machines and mechanical physics foundations

• Action Reaction—Perform hands-on activities supporting Newton’s Third Law

• Chain Reaction Machine—Understand chain reaction machine examples

• Contraption Challenge—Explore criteria, constraints, and required tools

• Engineering as a Team—Apply the engineering design process collaboratively

• Project Presentation—Communicate and demonstrate the Contraption Challenge solution