Introducing students to the engineering design process can be tricky, especially if you’re short on time or new to STEM. This Engineering Design Process unit includes easy STEM activities that engage students while helping them master each step of the engineering design process in a clear, structured way.

With 200+ pages of engineering design process worksheets and lessons, this resource can be taught as a 5-week middle school STEM curriculum or used flexibly throughout the year wherever engineering fits best.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This has been the best unit to kick off the school year! Well-organized and awesome teacher notes for easy implementation!”
— Middle School Teacher

Looking for more STEM curriculum? Get 30+ weeks of planning done here and SAVE!

Why Teachers Love This Engineering Design Process Unit

This resource goes beyond worksheets. It’s a complete, teacher-friendly STEM curriculum designed to save time while keeping students engaged.

• Low prep, high engagement
  
• Clear scaffolding for student success
  
• Flexible enough for beginners and experienced STEM teachers
  
• Designed to support real-world problem solving
  

Grab these lessons to get back your nights and weekends—without sacrificing rigor or student engagement.

What’s Included in This Middle School STEM Curriculum

This unit includes multiple lessons, projects, and assessments that build understanding of the engineering design process step by step:

• Wind-Powered Car STEM Challenge
  Students explore climate change and renewable energy as they design and build a wind-powered car.
  
• Intro to the Engineering Design Process Lesson
  Students learn each step of the process and connect it to real STEM challenges.
  
• Criteria and Constraints Scavenger Hunt
  A hands-on activity that helps students deeply understand criteria and constraints.
  
• Decision Matrix Lesson
  Students learn how engineers make data-driven decisions using decision matrices.
  
• PBS Design Squad Movie Guide & Activities
  Students identify engineering design process steps while watching a Design Squad episode.
  
• Engineering Design Process Choice Board
  Nine extension and reinforcement activities for differentiation and enrichment.
  
• Engineering Design Process Quiz
  A 10-question assessment (multiple choice and short answer).
  
• STEM Group Roles Lesson
  Helps students collaborate effectively during STEM challenges.
  
• Space Needle STEM Challenge
  Students apply the engineering design process to design and build a model structure.
  
• Engineering Careers Research Project
  Students research an engineering career and create a job advertisement.
  
• Engineering Design Process Project Template
  A reusable template that works with any STEM challenge.

Bonus Materials Included

• Engineering design process rubric (use with any STEM project)
• STEM supply lists for flexible materials
• Donation letters for families and community partners
• Suggestions for free or low-cost STEM materials

Every Activity Includes

• Printable, Google Slides, and Easel versions
  
• Detailed lesson plans and slides
  
• Rubrics and assessments
  
• Flexible materials (use what you already have)

What Other Teachers Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This was amazing! Not only did the students love each engineering lab, but it also aligned with all the engineering design process standards. Such an awesome 6 weeks of learning!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very engaging unit. A variety of activities for the kids to do and very easy to use!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“LOVE THIS! It was so helpful when I did not have time to prep. AMAZING resource.”

How You Can Use These Engineering Design Process Worksheets

• Teach lessons in sequence as a 5-week STEM unit
• Use lessons individually within your existing STEM curriculum
• Assign as emergency STEM sub plans
• Use for virtual or asynchronous learning
• Offer as extension, enrichment, or extra credit

👉 Click the Preview to see exactly what’s included and how to use this unit in your classroom.

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