This competition will be at Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 in New Oxford, PA.
This competition will be at Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 in New Oxford, PA.
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2026 STEM Design Challenge
LIU12 Regional Competition:
4th-5th = February 26, 2026
6th-8th = February 27, 2026
Competition Schedule
9:00 - 9:25 AM - Registration and Check In
9:25 - 9:30 AM - Welcome, Logistics, Instructions
9:30 - 11:30 AM - Construction Time
11:30 - 12:30 PM - Lunch (to be brought/packed)
12:30 - 12:55 PM – Awards
1:00 PM – Dismissal
STEM Challenge
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Eco-Factory: Build a Sustainable Production Machine:
In this challenge, elementary and middle school students will design a section of a factory that produces a product using sustainable practices by preparing a prototype constructed of K'Nex and/or Engino, that showcases how their functioning machine works, and how it supports environmentally responsible production.
The machine prototype should clearly demonstrate sustainability principles by minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency, and/or simulating the use of recycled, reusable, or otherwise sustainable parts, materials, or resources.
Teams may choose to incorporate recycled or reused materials into other aspects of the model outside of the K'Nex/Engino prototype, such as background settings, factory signage or products, or visual representation of sustainable resources to highlight environmentally responsible thinking and enhance the model’s commitment to sustainability.
Competition Rules:
A team of 2-4 students will work together on the project.
Prototype Materials: K’Nex and/or Engino (up to 1400 pieces.) String, tape, and rubber bands are permitted. 3D printed pieces are NOT allowed.
Supplementary Materials: (Optional) Recycled or reused materials may be incorporated into other aspects of the model outside of the K'Nex/Engino prototype. See challenge.
Teams are responsible for bringing their materials to the competition. There can be no pre-constructed components. Teams will have 2 hours to recreate their project for judging.
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.
For more information, visit the STEM Design Challenge website.
Judging Criteria
Creativity
Teamwork
Challenge Success
Design
Presentation
Competition
Awards will be given to top three teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8.
The 1st place team in each division (grades 4-5 and grades 6-8) at each Intermediate Unit regional competition will advance to the state competition.
The state competition will be held on TBD at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.
PARTS OF THE COMPETITION
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.
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. Pictures should not be used.
Prototype
Teams will answer the challenge by creating a prototype of their idea using K’Nex pieces and/or Engino.
The prototype will be a representation of their solution. They may expand on their solution during the presentation.
Teams may include a backdrop or artwork, but judges will not consider this in their scoring.
Projects must fit on a 6' Table. Water may not be included 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 participate in the presentation.
Judges may ask questions of the team after the presentation.
Note - There is no budget this year for middle school students.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
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