Looking for an exciting new STEM or Makerspace Design Challenge to inspire your students? This Cardboard Design Challenge Resource includes 24 hands-on STEM tasks that encourage innovation, teamwork, and creative problem-solving using simple, recycled cardboard boxes and paper materials.

Your students will love using their imaginations to design, build, and test unique creations — while developing critical engineering and design-thinking skills!

Each challenge encourages students to move through the Engineering Design Process: brainstorming, sketching, planning, building, testing, and reflecting.

These activities are easy to set up, require low-cost or recycled supplies, and can be adapted for all grade levels and time frames.

🌟 What’s Included:

• 24 STEM Design Challenge Task Cards (in both Color and Black & White)
  
• Teacher Guide and Tips for setup, organization, and classroom management
  
• Planning and Brainstorming Handouts to support the design process
  
• Sketch Templates for students to visualize their ideas
  
• Reflection Sheets for self-assessment and critical thinking
  
• Project Overview Handout to introduce the activity or display during presentations
  
• Suggested Supply List with easy-to-find recycled and classroom materials

💡 Skills and Concepts Students Will Practice

• Engineering Design Process
  
• Creative Problem Solving
  
• Collaboration and Teamwork
  
• Critical Thinking and Innovation
  
• Planning and Reflection
  
• Communication and Presentation
  

Perfect For:

• STEM or STEAM Classrooms
  
• Makerspace Labs and Innovation Centers
  
• Gifted & Talented Programs or Enrichment Activities
  
• Clubs, Camps, or After-School Programs
  
• Fun Fridays, Early Finishers, or Project-Based Learning
  
• Family STEM Nights or School-Wide Design Challenges
• Earth Day Project

⚙️ Flexible Implementation Options:

This resource gives you plenty of ways to customize learning in your classroom!

• Assign a different challenge to each student or group.
  
• Allow students to choose their own challenge based on interest.
  
• Encourage teamwork by having students collaborate in pairs or small groups.
  
• Use challenges as quick builds, weekly projects, or full design competitions.
  

Everything you need is included—just print, gather supplies, and watch your students design, build, and problem-solve like real engineers!

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