The Robotics Challenges

Two young girls smiling and looking at a handheld electronic device in the Maker Space at The University of Manchester, with colorful craft supplies nearby.

Inspire real-world problem solving with ready-to-teach guides that support you every step of the way.
Each resource helps young people ask bold questions, imagine creative solutions, and design with purpose, while building teacher confidence in Design & Technology, Computing, and Science. Fully linked to the National Curriculums for England and Scotland.

Each challenge has 2 versions - one for ages 7-11 and one for 11-14 yrs.

‘Ready Set Robotics’ are 2 introductory sessions that springboard into each of the Eng Ed Challenges.

Ask - Imagine - Create

Children and a man participating in a robotics workshop or competition at an event called 'Engineering Educates Robotics Challenge.' The children are working with small wooden or plastic parts, and the man is helping or instructing them. There are banners in the background mentioning UK-RAS Network and the challenge, along with tables filled with papers, tools, and materials.
A purple and white flyer for an introductory session titled 'Ready Set Robotics,' featuring circuitry and technology-themed graphics.

Learners take on a real-world brief, designing delivery robots that meet user needs through structured engineering thinking.

Logo for shop-a-bot with a robotic shopping cart and circuit board design, part of an engineering challenge.

Motion in the Ocean Challenge has UNESCO Ocean Decade accreditation

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Motion in the Ocean Challenge has UNESCO Ocean Decade accreditation 〰️

Learners explore types of motion and mechanisms as they design innovative animatronic prototypes for deep-sea exploration with this UNESCO accredited challenge.

A graphic promoting an engineering challenge titled 'Motion in the Ocean,' featuring a fish with a robotic tail and an emblem for 'Engineering Educates Robotics Challenge' on a circuit board-themed background.

From empathy to engineering - learners use micro:bits to design rehabilitation robots, with no prior experience needed by staff or learners.

A poster for the Engineering Challenge featuring a robotic rehabilitation device and a computer monitor, with the text "Re-Engineering Rehab" and the website www.engineeringeducates.org.

Ready… Set… Reflect

Using electronics and microcontrollers, learners create robots to navigate and investigate mysterious places.

Graphic design with circuit board elements, a robot arm, and a tank, with text reading 'Engineering Challenge' and 'The Secrets Within' and a website URL.
Slides from an educational presentation about engineering and the engineering design process. The first slide shows a circular diagram labeled 'Engineering Design Cycle' with steps 'Ready, Set, Reflect' and a closing reflection question. The second slide shows a classroom or workshop with students engaged in hands-on activities. The third slide provides a link to learn more about careers in engineering and STEM outreach activities.

Learners explore how engineers design, adapt, and test UAVs and use creative problem-solving to prototype aerial solutions. 

A drone with multiple propellers and a camera, surrounded by circuit-like graphics, with the text 'The Sky's The Limit' and 'Engineering Challenge'.

Learners design and prototype robots capable of working in extreme underground environments.

Illustration of a mechanical pipe pioneer vehicle on a white background with circuit board designs and the words 'Engineering Challenge' and 'Pipe Pioneers'.

Research has shown that follow-up reflection activities help to reinforce the learning, encourage critical thinking, support personal growth and build connections, all of which help learners to solidify knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation for the subject.​​

You are encouraged to facilitate a reflective discussion with learners by sharing these slides a couple of weeks after they have completed the challenge.​

A timeline graphic for the Engineering Educates Challenge with dates from September 2024 to July 2026, featuring illustrations and names of engineering projects and challenges.

All challenges are supported by the EngEd Toolkit.

Not sure which Challenge is for you? Start with the curriculum guides.

Circular badge with a teal outer border and a black and white inner border, containing the words 'Teacher Support' in navy blue text.
Circular logo with the words 'ENG ED TOOLKIT' in blue text, surrounded by a black and beige border.

The Engineering Educates Farmvention Challenge is still available for you. Developed in partnership with the National Farmers’ Union there are 3 activity pathways tailored to inspire 7-14 year olds to think as engineers in the context of British farming.

A graphic design with the words, "Engineering Educates, Farmvention, Challenge" on a tractor silhouette, with a blueprint style and colorful design elements.
Circle logo with the word 'ARCHIVE' in blue uppercase letters inside.