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Blog•STEM•February 20, 2026

Engineers Week 2026: 5 Screen-Free STEM Stations

A parent-friendly rotation you can run at the kitchen table with cups, paper, and a little curiosity.

Why Engineers Week Works for Little Kids

Engineers Week is all about asking, “How can we make this better?” That mindset is perfect for ages 3-8. You do not need fancy kits. Kids learn engineering when they build, test, notice what happened, and try again. These quick stations keep the energy high and the cleanup low.

Quick Supply List

  • •Index cards or scrap paper
  • •Painter's tape or masking tape
  • •Plastic cups or paper cups
  • •Straws and string
  • •Small toys or coins for testing weight
  • •Blocks, LEGOs, or recycled boxes

Parent tip

Put each station in a shoebox lid. When kids rotate, you just slide the box to the next spot.

20-Minute Rotation Plan

  1. 2 minutes: explain the goal and show the supplies.
  2. 8 minutes: build and test once.
  3. 3 minutes: adjust the design and re-test.
  4. 2 minutes: quick share and clean up.

The Five STEM Stations

Station 1: Paper Bridge Test

Goal: Build a bridge that holds the most coins.

  1. Place two books about 6 inches apart.
  2. Lay an index card across the gap and test with coins.
  3. Fold the card into a “W” shape and test again.
  4. Try a second design and compare results.

Station 2: Cup Tower Challenge

Goal: Build the tallest tower that stands for 10 seconds.

  1. Stack cups in any pattern you want.
  2. Add one more cup each round until it falls.
  3. Switch to a wider base and try again.
  4. Count the cups that stayed standing.

Station 3: Straw Roller Coaster

Goal: Design a ramp that sends a pom-pom the farthest.

  1. Tape two straws to a table edge as rails.
  2. Slide a pom-pom or marble down.
  3. Adjust the height with books to change speed.
  4. Mark the landing spot and measure with blocks.

Station 4: Fix-It Corner

Goal: Repair a “broken” toy using only tape and string.

  1. Pick a stuffed animal or action figure.
  2. Pretend a piece is loose or missing.
  3. Wrap, tape, or tie to secure the piece.
  4. Explain why the fix works.

Station 5: Block Habitat Build

Goal: Create a cozy home for a toy animal.

  1. Choose an animal or small figure.
  2. Plan a home with an entrance and a roof.
  3. Build with blocks or boxes.
  4. Test if the animal fits and can move inside.

Simple Questions That Build Big Thinking

  • What changed when you made the base wider?
  • Which design felt strongest and why?
  • How could we make this work for a bigger toy?
  • What would you try next if we had more time?

Pair With a Quick Printable

Maze Break Brain Breaks

Add a 5-minute maze page between stations to reset focus.

Open printable hub →

Word Search for Vocabulary

Print a word search with words like “bridge,” “tower,” and “ramp.”

Open printable hub →

Fraction or Counting Practice

Use our math printables to tally how many cups or coins each design held.

Open printable hub →

Wrap-Up

You do not need a full STEM lab to celebrate Engineers Week. A few cups, a handful of coins, and a willing kiddo are enough. If everyone tries one redesign, you are doing real engineering together.