Thinking about making Design Challenges part of your next field trip? We've compiled these frequently asked questions to get you started.
Can I reserve your program?
No. Since Design Challenges is "drop-in," you cannot reserve our program. If you are the first educator to contact us for the particular day of your visit, you may request a specific challenge to be offered that day, or we will help you choose an activity that best fits the needs of your students.
What is the best way to contact you?
The ideal way to contact us is through our email address:
designchallenges@mos.org
What is the optimal number of students to bring to Design Challenges?
Although most of our activities allow us to engage large numbers of students at any given time, our program works best if you divide your students into groups of 20 - 30. Please stagger each group's start time by ten minutes or more. This helps us to easily give everyone necessary information and instructions, and helps avoid bottlenecks getting materials or using testing equipment.
Also, it is helpful if students come assigned a partner to work with during the activity. Teamwork is very important in engineering!
How long do students usually spend at Design Challenges?
On average, students spend 20 - 30 minutes at our program.
Is there an additional cost for your program?
No. The cost of our program is included in your Exhibit Halls admission.
How many Design Challenges programs do you facilitate each day?
We offer one program each day.
What hours are you open and where does your program take place?
We are open daily, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Design Challenges workshop, Blue Wing, Level 1.
Can you facilitate a Design Challenges program at our school?
No. If you would like to have a program travel to your school you must contact our Traveling Programs department.
When we are finished with your program, can the students take their inventions home with them?
No. Since we practice and reinforce the concepts of recycling and re-using, the students must dismantle their inventions and return the materials back to us. For their efforts, students will be rewarded with a Design Challenges magnet to take home. It is a good idea to bring a digital camera to document student work and designs!
Does Design Challenges meet any state or national educational standards?
Yes, it does. Download this chart (PDF) for details.
In the Exhibit Halls: