Engineering Teaching Resources 

1. Engineers Week Resources by Discover Engineering (All Grades)

Start your 2025 planning early! DiscoverE is offering educators a treasure trove of free resources to celebrate Engineers Week (Feb 16-22, 2025) (#Eweek2024). This week-long celebration empowers everyone to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world. The theme for 2025,“Design Your Future”, is about celebrating engineers and engaging students! Add your voice to the conversation about the need for engineers, technicians, and technologists and engage students in engineering with fun resources, events and activities. [learn more]

2. PBS Design Squad Global (ages 10-13)

Want your students to engineer solutions with peers across the globe? PBS's Design Squad Global (DSG) clubs transform students into international innovation teams! This free program connects students with partner clubs worldwide to tackle exciting engineering challenges, from building emergency shelters to creating wind power stations. The program offers:

• Complete Club Guides: Everything educators need to run engaging engineering clubs
• Hands-on Engineering Challenges: Fun, real-world projects that teach the design process
• Cultural Exchange Materials: Resources for sharing design ideas, photos, and videos with international partner clubs
• Environmental Focus: Projects emphasizing sustainable solutions and global impact
• Comprehensive Training: Support for educators to facilitate cross-cultural engineering experiences

What makes this resource exceptional is its unique blend of engineering education and global competency development. [learn more]

3. "Start Engineering" Career Guide & Workbook (grades 6-12)

Inspire your students with this free interactive workbook that demystifies engineering careers! While the full 52-page career guide requires purchase ($9.95), educators can view a digital version for free and sign up for access a complimentary student workbook that explores how engineers tackle today's biggest challenges. This 52-page guide highlights:

• Exciting engineering fields like AI, green tech, and space exploration.
• Career benefits include meaningful work, strong salaries, and diverse opportunities.
• Tips for pursuing engineering degrees and paying for school.

The materials highlight engineering innovations, salary data, and pathways to engineering education. [learn more]

4. K-12 Engineering Education Report by National Academies (for Educators)

This free, 250-page report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine explores the growing role of engineering education in K-12, reviewing curricula, professional pathways, and strategies to prepare engineering-literate teachers. Key insights include:

• How engineering supports learning in science and math.
• Professional development and credentialing recommendations for K-12 engineering teachers.
• Steps to build a nationwide system of support for educators.

It’s a must-read for educators and administrators for administrators and teachers looking to strengthen their engineering programs with research-backed approaches.  [learn more]

5. EngineerGirl Smart Objects Essay Contest (Grades 3-12)

Spark creativity with this engaging engineering design competition by EngineerGirl (an organization committed to supporting an inclusive engineering workforce)! Students imagine and write about converting everyday objects into "smart" devices, considering real engineering challenges like data privacy and security. With separate grade-level categories and prizes up to $1,000, this contest helps students think critically about the intersection of engineering and daily life. Deadline: February 1, 2025. View the 2024 contest winners and their submissions here. [learn more]

6. The Best Engineering TV Shows According to Engineering Students

Looking for a fun way to inspire your students, develop engaging lesson plans, or spark your own curiosity about the world of engineering? The EngineeringStudents subreddit—a popular online community for budding engineers—has shared their favorite TV shows that explore engineering in action. From documentaries to thrilling dramas, these recommendations come straight from engineering students and offer something for every learner, whether you’re looking to entertain or educate.

• BattleBots showcases next-generation robots from around the world battling it out in intense three-minute matches. The goal? Destroy or disable the opponent’s bot to claim victory—or impress the judges if there’s no knockout. The show dives into robot design, builder backstories, and the fierce pursuit of the BattleBots championship. [learn more]
• I Like to Make Stuff:  This series follows Bob Clagett, a former software engineer turned full-time maker, as he builds everything from furniture to vintage scooters. With a focus on creativity and DIY inspiration, it’s a must-watch for the maker community.  [learn more]
• Bob the Builder (1997-2012): This beloved British animated series follows Bob, a general contractor, and his team of talking construction vehicles as they tackle projects and help their community. With teamwork and problem-solving at its heart, it's a fun introduction to building and engineering for young kids.  [learn more]
• How It’s Made:  This fascinating series takes viewers behind the scenes to see how everyday items—like jeans, pinball machines, and wax figurines—are manufactured. Each episode features a mix of common and surprising products, making it a must-watch for curious minds.  [learn more]
• The Imagineering Story (Disney). This docuseries explores the artistry and engineering behind Disney theme parks, showcasing how Imagineers have turned Walt Disney's vision into a global phenomenon. With rare access, it reveals the creativity and innovation behind building the magic. [learn more]

7. K-12 Student Engineering Competitions

This curated list highlights exciting engineering competitions for K-12 students, offering hands-on opportunities to solve real-world challenges, showcase creativity, and build STEM skills. Perfect for sparking interest in engineering and fostering teamwork.

• Power to Explore: Radioisotope Power Systems Competition (K-12):  This competition challenges students to learn about NASA's nuclear "batteries" and design an RPS-powered space mission to explore any moon in our solar system. Open to imaginative young scientists, entries are due January 31, 2025. [learn more]
• MIT THINK Scholars Competition (high school):  This MIT-run program supports high school students with innovative STEM project ideas by offering mentorship, resources, and up to $1,000 in funding. Finalists may also win an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT to present their work and tour the campus.  [learn more]
• 3M Young Scientists Challenge (grades 3-8): Open to grades 5–8, this premier competition inspires students to solve real-world problems with science and innovation. Participants submit a 1–2 minute video showcasing their idea, with the chance to win a 3M mentorship and other prizes.  [learn more]
• Future City Competition (middle school): This hands-on STEM program challenges middle school students to design and build futuristic cities addressing real-world sustainability issues. This year’s exciting theme: create a floating city with innovative solutions to keep citizens safe and healthy!  [learn more]

8. Engineering TikTok Accounts for Classroom Inspiration

No resources list would be complete without a TikTok roundup! TikTok has become a hub for engineering creativity, offering many ideas to inspire students. These accounts recommended by Engineers Australia feature everything from DIY hacks and innovative gadgets to real-world applications of engineering concepts. Perfect for sparking curiosity, they can provide teachers with engaging examples to incorporate into lessons or to encourage students to explore engineering outside the classroom. Whether it’s futuristic tech or clever problem-solving, these popular engineering creators show how fun and relevant engineering can be. [learn more]

By incorporating these engineering teaching resources into your classroom, you can help students build the engineering mindset that's becoming increasingly vital across all fields—the ability to think systematically, solve complex problems, and design creative solutions within real-world constraints.

Need more STEM teaching resources? Don't miss our earlier posts featuring free biology and physics & chemistry resources to engage your students in hands-on learning.

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