Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia
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    • About EEA
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      • About Env Justice
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
  • Our Team
  • Our Resources
    • Wildlife Viewing Grant
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
    • Participatory (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
    • Teaching about Climate Change
      • P WET Climate Resilience pdf
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
    • Evaluation and Assessment
  • Our Work
    • Our Conferences
      • EEA Annual Conference
      • Outdoor Learning Symposium
      • SEEA Conference
      • NAAEE Conference
    • Professional Learning
    • ATEEG
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
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      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
      • EEinGeorgia
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • Pollinator Habitats
        • Pollinator Habitat Grants
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
  • Our Initiatives
    • CEO Roundtable
    • EE Landscape Analysis
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OUR RESOURCES
​Eco-Engineering Challenges

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Eco-Engineering Challenges
​EEA's Eco-Engineering Challenges provide opportunities for students to identify and research environmental problems, design solutions, build prototypes, test and refine their solutions, and share the results with authentic audiences or markets. These challenges integrate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in cohesive, experiential projects.

Like all STEM engineering challenges, the iterative design process is key. This means that students will need  opportunities to test and refine their solutions. At least one part of every Eco-Engineering Challenge is intended to take place outdoors. Students observe and solve real-world problems in the schoolyard.

​Research shows that students who are least likely to major or become employed in STEM fields -- girls and children of color -- are more engaged and likely to persist in STEM learning that is focused on solutions to environmental or social problems rather than  robotics, rocketry, or technological gadgets for the consumer market. In addition, students who learn about environmental problems while given a chance to contribute to their solutions are less likely to become depressed about the state of the world and disengaged. Students who work on bite-sized problems and graduated challenges gain skills and confidence (also referred to as self-efficacy) to believe they can make a difference in the world.



Lab Report Forms and Templates​

Template for TEACHER-CREATED Eco-Engineering Challenges
eea_ecoengineering_challenge_-_teacher_template.docx
File Size: 317 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

TEMPLATE FOR STUDENT ECo-engineering lab report
eea_ecoengineering_challenge_lab_report_forms_for_students.docx
File Size: 563 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

ec0-ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS POSTER
ecoengineering_design_process_flow_chart.docx
File Size: 367 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Eco-Engineering Challenge SCORING RUBRIC
rubric_for_eco-engineering_challenges.docx
File Size: 125 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

RESEARCH Behind Eco-engineering design challenges
Learn More
How to transform a lesson into an eco-engineering Challenge
transforming_traditional_lessons_into_ecoengineering_challenges.docx
File Size: 1362 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

What Teachers Bring to EcoEngineering Challenges

  • A problem to solve
  • Design constraints (time, cost, specs)
  • Variety of materials
  • Minimum of coaching / no preconceived outcomes
  • Time for students to test and refine prototypes
  • ​Change to go outside and make real world connections
  • A gallery walk or other opportunity ​to share work
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What Students Bring to EcoEngineering Challenges

  • Curiosity and creativity
  • Resourcefulness
  • Research
  • An idea for a prototype
  • Tests and refinements 
  • Willingness to fail and try again

The EEA Eco-Engineering Challenges

Start by downloading the blank Student Lab Report form from the yellow accordion files above and provide a digital or print version to each student, pair of students, or team of four. Then pick one (or more) of the Eco-Engineering Challenges below.
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Biodiversity Challenge: Search for the Lost Ladybug 
Design, build, and test a ladybug catcher to search for rare nine-spotted ladybug
engineering_challenges_for_biodiversity_storyline.docx
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

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Biodiversity Challenge: Native Bee Habitat 
Design, test, and build a "bee hotel" to provide urban habitat for native bees
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Biodiversity Challenge: Monarch Butterfly Habitat Restoration
Design, test, and plant a garden to provide habitat for monarch butterflies
By following specific criteria, you can design a pollinator habitat that is eligible to be certified by Monarchs Across Georgia.
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Zero Waste Challenge: Microplastics
Design, test, and create a device for catching microplastics to assess stream health
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​Zero Waste Challenge: Food Waste Vermiculture
Design, test, and build a worm bin to divert food from the landfill
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Zero Waste Challenge: Oil Spill Clean-Up
Design, test, and build a device to clean up an oil spill using magnets
Zero Waste Challenge: Food Waste Composter
Design, test, and build a composting device to divert food from the landfill
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Energy Challenge: Heat Transfer / Solar Cooking Version
Design, test, and build a solar cooker to transfer heat effectively and cook food
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Energy Challenge: Renewable Energy Sources
Design, test, and build a wind turbine to generate power​
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Human Impact Challenge: Land Restoration / Erosion Control
Design, test, and build a solution for an eroded area in the schoolyard
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Zero Heroes Curriculum Guide

Lessons and activities related to reducing waste, including eco-engineering challenges, community science projects, and field investigations. Click here for free Educator Guide. 
Contact Us
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Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.  
P.O. Box 801066 | Acworth, GA 30101


EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program , activities, or employment. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here .
​Grievance officer may be contacted at info@eealliance.org


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  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Env Ed
      • About Env Stewardship
      • About Env Justice
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
  • Our Team
  • Our Resources
    • Wildlife Viewing Grant
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
    • Participatory (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
    • Teaching about Climate Change
      • P WET Climate Resilience pdf
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
    • Evaluation and Assessment
  • Our Work
    • Our Conferences
      • EEA Annual Conference
      • Outdoor Learning Symposium
      • SEEA Conference
      • NAAEE Conference
    • Professional Learning
    • ATEEG
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
      • CoOL Toolkit SPACES
      • CoOL Toolkit METHODS
      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
      • EEinGeorgia
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • Pollinator Habitats
        • Pollinator Habitat Grants
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
  • Our Initiatives
    • CEO Roundtable
    • EE Landscape Analysis
    • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
      • Outdoor Learning Collaboratory
    • Inclusive EE & Outdoor Learning
    • EE and Higher Ed
    • GOLD Grant Application Preview
  • Our News
    • EEA News
      • The Dragonfly Quarterly Newsletter
      • EEA E-News
    • Book Club
    • EEA Issues
      • EE Legislation
      • SCORP
      • Teaching During Covid-19
  • Our Impact
    • Our Finances
  • JOIN or GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
    • My Account
    • Field Excursions
  • Contact Us
  • Outdoor Learning Store
  • New Page