About the Program
Design Lives Here is a semester-long engineering initiative that equips teachers and students (grades 5th-8th) to participate in engineering activities within their school or afterschool program. Professional engineers serve as mentors to students throughout the year. Schools who participate are diverse – public, parochial and private – and have the option of making this part of their school day or an extended program. Each spring, all the participants come together for a day of engineering challenges, grouped in new teams to compete for prizes. Design Lives Here activities are inspired by the popular PBS KIDS program and website, Design Squad Nation.
Design Lives Here 2025–2026 is a WQED initiative made possible through major underwriting by Howmet Aerospace Foundation, PPG Foundation, Duquesne Light, Huntington National Bank, ATI and MSA. Additional funding provided by ANSYS, Ninja Transfers, and Rush Order Tee’s, and founding partner the Engineers’ Society of Western PA.
