What is the challenge for 2026?? 

Eco-Factory: Build a Sustainable Production Machine

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 

In this challenge, elementary and middle school students, grades 4-8, will design part of a factory that produces a product using sustainable practices and prepare a prototype demonstration to showcase how the machine works and supports sustainable production. Using K'Nex and/or Engino, as well as supplementary recycled materials (optional), the prototype must emphasize sustainability by minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency, and/or using simulated recycled or reusable parts or materials.  

Rules:

• A team of 2-4 students will work together on the project.

• Students must create their prototype using no more than 1400 K’Nex and/or Engino pieces. String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted.  3D printed pieces are NOT allowed.

• Teams must bring their materials to the competition and will have 2 hours to recreate their project for judging. 

• There can be no pre-constructed components brought to the competition. Protypes must be built "from scratch."

• Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table.  Water may not be used as part of the display. 

• Each team will need to create and submit a design notebook and a blueprint for viewing at the competition.

• Each team will need to prepare a presentation (2 minutes or less) on their model and how it answers the challenge. 

Judging Criteria:

• Creativity

• Teamwork

• Challenge Success

• Design

• Presentation

Parts of the competition:

Design Notebook

• This should be a journal of the team’s progress from start to finish.

• The Notebook should include elements of the Engineering Design Process.

• Resources for Design Notebooks

Blueprint

• A blueprint is a technical drawing or design plan for a project. It is used to represent the final product.

• Blueprints for the STEM Design Challenge can be a drawing, cad drawing, online sketch, etc. Be creative!

• Resources for blueprint ideas

Prototype

• Teams will answer the challenge by creating a prototype of their idea using K’Nex and/or Engino.

• Teams may include a backdrop or artwork, but judges will not consider this in their scoring.

• Projects must fit on a 6-foot-long table. Water may not be used in the display.

Presentation

• Teams are asked to share their ideas in a presentation for the judges.

• Each presentation will be 2 minutes or less.

• Every student on the team should be a part of the presentation.

• Judges may ask questions of the team after the presentation.