Welcome to DESIGNLAB.org

What are DESIGNLAB Invention Kits?

The UMass Lowell Future Engineers Center is working to develop a series of DESIGNLAB Invention Kits for schools to use to provide FUN, challenging, hands-on after school science and engineering workshops for students in grades 5 – 8. Based on our successful DESIGNCAMP summer program, which has a 9-year record of success, DESIGNLAB programs have been shown to stimulate many more middle school students to develop a real interest in engineering and science. Our goal is to make it easy for teachers to engage students in design-based science and technology projects – each kit includes the tools, materials, project guides, teacher’s notes, design instruction DVD and online support needed to run a 10-week after school program.

DESIGNLAB workshops engage students in “kid engineering” projects that require them to apply key science and math concepts and use the engineering design process to solve open-ended design challenges. Each workshop leads students through a series of experiments and guided activities to help them learn key concepts, technical skills, and tool skills; then we immerse students in a creative, hands-on, design and problem-solving environment. Each open-ended project teaches students aspects of the engineering design process and challenges them to create and build their own solutions to problems that are FUN, motivating and interesting.

For more, check out the info section or contact us directly through the contact page.