PITTSBURGH – WQED Multimedia’s Design Lives Here competition is an exciting opportunity for students in grades 5 through 8 to participate in hands-on engineering and invention activities. Taking place at the historic Fred Rogers Studio on Wednesday, March 13 from 10am – 2pm, this competition is part of a broader initiative that aims to equip teachers and students to engage in engineering activities throughout the entire semester, both in school and afterschool programs. Other regional competitions are also being held with Clarion Area Elementary School, Baldwin-Whitehall Middle School, and Laurel Highlands Middle School.
In a day-long competition, students will be grouped into teams and tackle three hands-on/minds-on engineering challenge activities. Engineering mentors will assist students as they address STEM challenges including:
- Rocket Launcher: design and build using paper, tape, and a plastic bottle;
- Rubber Band Car: design and build a car using everyday materials; and
- Thrill Ride: design and build a roller coaster to carry a marble in a track.
Along with the on-site engineering challenges, the Design Lives Here competition also features the Invention Challenge, which students must complete before attending the event. To participate, students must identify a problem within one of seven invention categories, including kitchen/culinary, outdoors, pets, sports/hobbies, non-electronic toys, transportation vehicles and fashion wearables. They must then submit a video solution in advance. The winners of the Invention Challenge will be announced on the day of the competition.
Design Lives Here is a student outreach program inspired by the PBS show “Design Squad Nation,” which aims to inspire the next generation of engineers. For the past fourteen years, WQED has engaged thousands of middle school students through this program, using materials and challenges from “Design Squad Nation” episodes, interactive resources and local engineering mentors.
The 2023 – 2024 Design Lives Here initiative is a project of WQED Multimedia, with major underwriting by Howmet Aerospace Foundation, PPG and PPG Foundation, Huntington Foundation, MSA, and additional support from ATI, Mastech Digital, Pittcon, Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, ANSYS, HATCH, Gateway Engineers, and founding partner the Engineers’ Society of Western PA.
Schools Participating at WQED:
- Deer Lakes Middle School
- Franklin Regional Middle School
- Independence Middle School
- Moon Middle School
- Roy Hunt Elementary School
- Stewart Elementary
- Trinity Middle School
All Participating Schools:
- Armstrong School District
- Baldwin Middle School
- Beaver Area Middle School
- Bradford Woods Elementary School
- Butler Area School District – Gifted Program
- Canonsburg Middle School
- Clarion Area Elementary
- Corry Area Intermediate School
- Corry Area Middle School
- Deer Lakes Middle School
- Francis McClure Elementary
- Franklin Elementary School
- Greenville Area School District (Jr. High School and Elementary School)
- Grove City Middle School
- Homer-Center School District
- Hosack Elementary School
- Immaculate Conception Parish School
- Independence Middle School
- Ingomar Elementary
- Ionta Elementary School
- Delahunty Middle School
- Keystone Elementary School
- Laurel Highlands Middle School
- Marshall Elementary
- McKnight Elementary School
- Megan Simpson
- Moon Area School District
- Mount Pleasant Area School District (Gifted)
- North Clarion Elementary School
- Oil City Area Middle School
- PA Distance Learning Charter School
- Peebles Elementary
- Pittsburgh Schiller STEAM Academy
- Redbank Valley Intermediate School
- Roy A. Hunt Elementary School
- Ryan Gloyer Middle School
- South Side Area School District
- Stewart Elementary- Burrell SD
- Trinity Middle School
About WQED
WQED Multimedia starts conversations and creates experiences that educate, entertain and inspire our neighbors in Pittsburgh and across southwest Pennsylvania. Founded in 1954 as an experiment in educational community-supported television, WQED was a forerunner to PBS.
Our content creators produce impactful stories that delve into the rich mosaic of our region’s past, present, and future. We cover a wide range of topics, from arts and culture to pressing societal issues that impact our lives. We profile remarkable individuals and organizations who work to strengthen our communities. Our Learning Neighborhoods support children, in partnership with area schools and libraries, and extend to high school students exploring media careers through the WQED Film Academy. Known as “The Voice of the Arts,” WQED-FM provides a vital platform that amplifies our vibrant and diverse cultural assets, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
WQED Multimedia operates WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel; plus various streams, apps, and interactive experiences.
About The Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania
The Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) has provided a forum for the professional development and social interaction of its members for more than a century. Headquartered in an historic landmark building and club facility, the ESWP is chartered to advance the professions of engineering, architecture and applied sciences through technical activities, public services participation and social organizations. It also supports the needs of industries, communities and government in Western Pennsylvania. The ESWP is a non-profit organization with more than 950 members representing more than 400 local, national and global firms. Learn more about ESWP and our other STEM initiatives at www.eswp.com