Design Your Own Squishy STEM Challenge | Engineering Design Process Activity for Grades 2–5
Design the Next Must-Have Squishy! Looking for a fun, engaging STEM challenge that gets students thinking like real engineers? In this exciting Engineering Design Process project, students become Junior Toy Designers at Squishy Labs and work through each stage of the design process to invent their own one-of-a-kind squishy toy! Students will ask questions, brainstorm ideas, create a blueprint, design a final prototype, improve their work through feedback, and present their invention while practicing creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. Perfect for STEM class, Makerspace, engineering units, project-based learning (PBL), enrichment, gifted students, early finishers, or end-of-year activities, this ready-to-use resource includes both interactive Google Slides and a printable student design journal for a complete classroom experience. ⭐ What’s Included: Instructional Google Slides (10 Slides) ✔ Welcome to Squishy Labs ✔ Engineering Design Process Overview ✔ Design Challenge Mission ✔ ASK: What Makes a Great Squishy? ✔ IMAGINE: Explore Great Squishy Designs ✔ IMAGINE: Brainstorm Your Ideas ✔ PLAN: Create Your Blueprint ✔ CREATE: Build Your Final Design ✔ IMPROVE: Revise Your Design ✔ PRESENT: Pitch Your Squishy Printable Student Design Journal Students work through every step of the Engineering Design Process with guided activities including: ✔ Challenge Analysis ✔ Brainstorming Pages ✔ Blueprint Planning ✔ Final Squishy Design ✔ Improvement & Revision ✔ Design Pitch Teacher Resources ✔ Teacher Guide ✔ NGSS Alignment ✔ Student Design Brief ✔ Teacher Rubric ✔ Peer Feedback Form ✔ Junior Toy Designer Certificate Students Will Learn How To: ⭐ Apply the Engineering Design Process ⭐ Think creatively and solve real-world design problems ⭐ Brainstorm multiple solutions before choosing their best idea ⭐ Create detailed design plans and labeled blueprints ⭐ Revise designs using constructive feedback ⭐ Present ideas confidently using evidence and reasoning ⭐ Practice communication, collaboration, and critical thinking Perfect For ✔ STEM Activities ✔ Engineering Challenges ✔ Makerspace ✔ STEM Centers ✔ Project-Based Learning (PBL) ✔ Gifted & Talented ✔ Early Finishers ✔ Fast Finishers ✔ Innovation Week ✔ Design Thinking Lessons ✔ Career Exploration ✔ Elementary STEM Units ✔ Back-to-School STEM ✔ End-of-Year Projects Grades Grades 2–5 Standards This resource aligns with the NGSS Engineering Design Standards and supports students as they define problems, develop solutions, improve designs through testing and feedback, and communicate their thinking. Why Teachers Love This Resource ❤️ Highly engaging real-world STEM challenge ❤️ Minimal teacher prep ❤️ Encourages creativity and innovation ❤️ Promotes collaboration and communication ❤️ Printable and digital formats included ❤️ Easy-to-follow step-by-step process ❤️ Professional-quality student workbook and teaching slides Skills Students Practice Engineering Design Process STEM Problem Solving Critical Thinking Creativity Innovation Design Thinking Communication Presentation Skills Reflection Goal Setting Collaboration Resource Includes 10 Instructional Google Slides Printable Student Design Journal Teacher Guide NGSS Alignment Teacher Rubric Peer Feedback Form Junior Toy Designer Certificate If you like this, you’ll LOVE my FREE STEM Name Challenge!! Visit my website for teaching ideas, classroom inspiration, free resources, and professional development: www.fortheloveofteachers.com You’ll also find blog posts, teaching tips, and printable resources designed to help teachers save time and inspire students. This purchase includes a Single User License. Your purchase grants one teacher the right to use this resource in their own classroom. © 2026 For The Love of Teachers. All Rights Reserved.