A family-freindly way to discover engineering
This March, introduce your family to the world of engineering with the Engineering Discovery Challenge. Created by National Engineering Month Ontario, this hands-on scavenger hunt invites families across Ontario to discover and learn together. Through weekly themes and engaging challenges, you’ll see firsthand how engineering shapes our everyday lives. Perfect for all ages—from budding engineers to the simply curious—the Engineering Discovery Challenge introduces a new engineering concept each week in March, inviting families to learn, explore, and connect through discovery. Keep reading to see each week’s theme.
#discoverNEMONTARIO
weekly themes
Fascinating Structures
(Mar. 1 - 9)
Search for bridges, towers, and buildings with interesting designs. Observe the materials, shapes, and stability features that help these structures stand tall.
Life's Helpers
(Mar. 10 - 16)
Identify tools and objects that simplify our daily routines, such as ramps, medical devices, and household gadgets. How do these innovations support accessibility and improve lives?
Nature Meets Engineering (Mar. 17 - 23)
Discover nature’s own engineering marvels, like honeycombs, spider webs, or tree branches, and explore how they inspire human-made designs.
Green ENgineering
(Mar. 24 - 31)
Look for items and systems powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, or electric vehicle chargers. Learn how green technology contributes to a sustainable future.
join the challenge
Guidelines and Safety
Get out there and explore! Visit parks, wander your neighborhood, or even check your home for examples of engineering in action. Capture photos of your discoveries or, if safe, bring back small items for further exploration.
Discovery and Discussion
Each find offers a chance to spark curiosity. Use these moments to ask questions, like, “What makes a bridge so strong?” or “Why are renewable energy sources important?” This is a great way for families to discuss engineering concepts together.
Share Your Discoveries
Use the #DiscoverNEMOntario hashtag to post your photos, captions, and “engineering insights” on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn). Join a community of explorers and celebrate the wonders of engineering with other Ontario families.
Prizes and Recognition
Earn virtual badges and certificates along the way! Each week, standout discoveries will be featured on NEM Ontario’s social media, and top submissions will be showcased in our virtual Engineer’s Showcase.
Why get involved?
win a prize
Join the scavenger hunt to explore and learn together as a family, and you could win a STEM kit each week for your coolest discovery!
Learn Through Play
Through this scavenger hunt, families engage in hands-on learning and discover engineering concepts like structural strength, energy efficiency, and problem-solving.
Quality Family Time
This is a perfect opportunity to spend meaningful time together, exploring and discussing the world around you.
Community Spirit
Connect with other families across Ontario, sharing your discoveries and celebrating engineering’s role in our communities.
By participating, we can spark a passion for engineering among Ontario’s youth. This adventure blends fun, learning, and family bonding as we discover the many ways engineering shapes our world. Together, we can inspire the next generation to engage with the engineering field.
questions?
The Engineering Discovery Challenge is a family-friendly scavenger hunt that will take place throughout National Engineering Month (March 1 – 31). Families can explore their neighborhoods, parks, and homes to find items related to weekly engineering themes, capturing photos and sharing their discoveries.
Each week, participants will focus on a different engineering theme, such as “Fascinating Structures” or “Green Engineering.” Families are encouraged to explore their surroundings and document their findings through photos or by bringing back small items to examine further.
The s Engineering Discovery Challenge features exciting weekly themes, including:
- Week 1 (March 1 – 9): Fascinating Structures
- Week 2 (March 10 – 16): Life’s Helpers
- Week 3 (March 17 – 23): Nature Meets Engineering
- Week 4 (March 24 – 31): Green Engineering
Families will have the opportunity to learn about engineering concepts in a fun, interactive way. Engaging in discussions about their discoveries can spark curiosity and provide valuable family bonding time.
Participants can share their photos and insights on social media using the hashtag #DiscoverNEMOntario. This creates a sense of community among families participating in the scavenger hunt.
Yes! Each week, the coolest discovery will win a STEM kit. Additionally, participants can earn virtual badges and certificates, and standout submissions will be showcased in NEM Ontario’s virtual “Engineer’s Showcase.”
The Engineering Discovery Challenge runs from March 1 to March 31, 2025. Be sure to submit your entries during this period to be eligible for weekly prizes and recognition. Additional key dates include:
- Weekly Theme Announcements: Each week’s theme will be revealed on our social media channels every Sunday in March.
- Prize Announcements: Winners of the STEM kits will be announced every Monday for the coolest discovery from the previous week.
To select the winners of the coolest entries each week in the Engineering Discovery Challenge, we’ll establish clear criteria to ensure a fair and engaging selection process. Here are some key criteria we will use:
1. Creativity: We will evaluate how unique and imaginative each entry is. This could include the choice of discovery, the storytelling aspect of the caption, or the innovative way participants present their findings.
2. Relevance to Weekly Themes: Entries will be judged on how well they align with the designated theme for the week. Participants should clearly connect their discoveries to the theme and explain the engineering principles involved.
3. Engagement: We’ll consider the level of interaction that entries receive on social media, such as likes, shares, and comments. Entries that inspire conversation and encourage others to engage with engineering topics will be favored.
4. Educational Value: We will look for entries that effectively communicate a lesson or insight about engineering. This could involve interesting facts or explanations about the engineering concepts behind their discoveries.
5. Quality of Presentation: The clarity and quality of the photos or videos submitted will also play a role. Well-composed, high-quality images that showcase the engineering discovery effectively will be more likely to win.
At the end of each week, our panel will review all submissions and select the winning entry based on these criteria. Winners will be announced on social media and will receive a STEM kit as a prize for their contribution to the scavenger hunt!
We’ll provide educator resources shortly. Stay tuned for details.
