Paper STEM Challenges | KS2 Engineering Design Activities

Build, test, and improve with eight hands-on paper engineering challenges for ages 7–10.

Learners create bridges, towers, roofs, platforms, trays, tunnels, and overhangs, then explore how to meet a design goal using less tape. Each challenge includes a measurable goal, material limits, clear rules, and a testing procedure.

What’s included:

8 printable challenge briefs with planning space.
A 2-page teacher guide.
4 pages of suggested approaches and discussion prompts.
4 reusable recording sheets covering planning, testing, redesign, and reflection.
A classroom design-process rubric.

Materials: printer paper, masking tape, identical counting cubes, a ruler, a timer, and stable low book stacks. No cutting is required. Physical materials are not included.

Use for partner activities, small-group engineering sessions, or STEM enrichment.

18 pages per paper-size edition. Includes A4 and US Letter PDFs containing the same activities. Static printable files.

Teacher approaches are starting suggestions, not guaranteed designs. Trial the activities with your classroom materials and adjust targets before teaching. These challenges have not been physically prototyped or classroom piloted.

Keywords:
Paper STEM · Engineering Design · STEM Challenges · Problem Solving · Building Structures · Teamwork