Engineering challenges are encouraged from a young age so as to develop crucial life skills. These projects allow students to grow their knowledge as well as hand-eye coordination skills. Dive in as we unpack 20 of the best 2nd grade engineering projects!
1. Build a bed for Goldilocks
This STEM activity encourages students to ask questions as well as use critical thinking and design in order to use different shapes in order to design Goldilocks a new bed.
Learn More: TPT
2. Paper Airplanes
Discover the concept of aerodynamics whilst crafting a simple paper airplane. Encourage students to adapt their planes in such a way so that the craft flies further than the times before.
Learn More: Education to the Core
3. Energy Transformation Project
Reveal how energy can be captured and then transformed into power or motion. Research whether or not a bicycle can be used to power a house.
Learn More: Education
4. Bubble Machine
Craft a fascinating bubble machine using simple household items. This project is one of many wonderful STEM challenges and is the perfect 2nd grade science experiment.
Learn More: Teach Beside Me
5. Paper Plate Maze
Using a paper plate and plastic straws, craft a maze through which to roll a marble or small ball from one side to the other.
Learn More: Raising Lifelong Learners
6. Cotton ball Launcher
This nifty project allows learners to put energy to good use by creating a cotton ball launcher! To further increase the steaks, pair learners together and ask them to compete to see who can launch their cotton ball the furthest.
Learn more: Science Buddies
7. Balancing Robot
Students learn about the center of gravity when designing their balancing paper robot. Take the finished robots for a test spin by placing them on different surfaces or objects in order to see where and how they balance best!
Learn More: Buggy and Buddy
8. Make a Kite
Your students will be flying high whilst engaged in this 2nd grade STEM challenge! Invite your students to craft a kite that can be steadily operated outdoors.
Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands
9. Make an Anemometer
Learn more about measuring wind speed when crafting this simple anemometer using straws, a pencil, paper cups, a drawing pin, and a hole puncher.
Learn More: Youtube
10. Solve Lego Challenge Cards
This is the perfect game for young engineers. This hands-on activity allows students to get acquainted with following instructions to reach the desired result.
Learn More: The Stem Laboratory
11. Build Famous Landmarks
Get building to design famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, The White House, and even a Sphinx!
Learn More: Playdough To Plato
12. Engineer a Sailing Car
This lightweight sail car is going places and it’ll take your students with it! In crafting this project, students are introduced to elementary physics concepts such as lift and drag.
Learn More: Instructables
13. Solar S’mores
Enjoy a delicious snack after baking s’mores in your very own solar oven! This edible science experiment educates learners on the power of the sun and visually demonstrates its effects.
Learn More: Amy Lemons
14. Craft Stick Crossbow
This craft stick crossbow is an age-appropriate project for 2nd graders and is sure to get them thinking about angles and speed.
Learn More: Steam Powered Family
15. Making Waves
Learners tap into knowledge regarding longitudinal and transverse waves using dominoes, a slinky, and a piece of rope.
Learn More: Teach Engineering
16. Rubber Band Helicopter
One of the best projects for kids is to produce a flying helicopter that is propelled by the speed of a rubber band.
Learn More: Instructables
17. Egg Drop Challenge
This science fair project requires a smart solution. Students need to produce a contraption that protects their egg from falling when it’s dropped from a height.
Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands
18. Straw Bridge
Develop beginner engineering skills by building a load-carrying bridge out of straws and other adhesive materials such as blue tack or tape.
Learn More: The Stem Laboratory
19. Jellybean Structures
Jellybeans and toothpicks are the building blocks of these neat structures. Challenge your learners to make a project out of this activity and see who can build the biggest structure!
Learn More: Education to The Core
20. Craft a Water bottle Fountain
This is a lovely 2nd grade science project and really taps into STEM center learning. Build a fountain from a water bottle and then relax whilst you watch the water flow!
Learn More: Learn With Play At Home
The engineering challenges listed above provide both teachers and parents the perfect opportunity to engage learners in hands-on tasks. These challenges allow learners to develop crucial skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, and more! Their use within a classroom or home environment should not be underestimated, but instead incorporated into everyday learning. Learning is better facilitated when it is done in a fun manner, and these activities tick that box perfectly!
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