2022-2023 Central Challenges
Some teams will pick a Challenge because it falls within their Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Engineering or Service Learning wheelhouse -- they simply love that area of STEAM learning. For others, this is a time to try their hand at something new. There are no prerequisites for any of these Challenges... teams will learn as they go!
Our Technical Challenge prompts students to complete tasks by using engineering, research, strategic planning, and related skills.
Who doesn’t love a good puzzle? Your team will explore the thrill of finding that crucial piece or clue that brings the whole thing together. Puzzle it out in this season’s Technical Challenge!
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Design and create a puzzle that will be assembled during the Presentation.
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Design and build 2 puzzle solvers that use technical methods to assemble the puzzle.
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Create and present a story about how a character’s understanding changes at a pivotal moment.
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Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Engineering Challenge asks students to explore and apply engineering skills and tools to design and build solutions to specific applications.
Zoooom, whoosh, weeeee! Design and test your very own roller coaster, complete with unexpected twists and turns. Join us for a wild ride as you explore this season’s Engineering Challenge!
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Design and build a roller coaster that will be assembled and then tested during the Presentation.
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Design and create a launching mechanism that starts moving a golf ball along the roller coaster track.
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Test how far and how fast the golf ball can travel through the roller coaster.
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Create a Presentation that shows what the riders would experience when riding the roller coaster.
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Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Scientific Challenge blends the curiosity of scientific research with the creative expression of performance art.
Have you ever heard a story that seemed too amazing to be true? In this season’s Scientific Challenge, your team will show how science can be used to put the impossible to the test. Is the story fact, or is it just a tall tale?
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Present a team-created story in the style of a tall tale.
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Include an exaggerated character with a hyperbolic trait.
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Design and build a theatrical embellishment that enhances the hyperbolic trait.
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Present a scientific analysis to determine whether or not the exaggerated character could actually exhibit the hyperbolic trait(s) as described in the tall tale.
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Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Fine Arts Challenge helps students develop acting and creative skills through artistic media, theater arts, scriptwriting, and prop design.
Sometimes the story you know isn’t the whole story. Explore what happens when the focus of a story changes. It’s time to put your own twist on a well-known tale in this season’s Fine Arts Challenge!
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Create and present a flipped tale that is inspired by a well-known story but focuses on a new main character.
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Research literary devices and integrate one into the Presentation.
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Use theatrical techniques to move the audience’s focus from one portion of the Presentation Area to another.
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Design and build a piece of scenery that goes through a scenery flip.
Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Improvisational Challenge is all about research, spontaneity, and storytelling. Teams receive topics and quickly produce skits.
We all love to root for an underdog. In this season’s Improvisational Challenge, your team will use your improv skills to tell a story about an unlikely hero who rises to a challenge. Will they emerge victorious, or will they crumble under the pressure?
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Create and present an improvisational skit about an Underdog preparing for and/or participating in a competition.
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Incorporate an expert into the skit.
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Integrate a complication into the skit.
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Enhance the skit with trash bags and rubber bands.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Service Learning Challenge is designed to engage students in public service that addresses real-life community issues.
It takes a lot to make the world a better place. You’ve put it all on the line—will it pay off? The clock ticks and the pressure builds in this season’s Service Learning Challenge.
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Identify, design, carry out, and evaluate a project that addresses a need in a real community.
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Create and present a suspenseful story about a high-stakes situation.
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Include a slow-motion scene that is enhanced by a special effect.
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Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
Grades 2-5 (EL) Grades 6-8 (ML) Grades 9-12 (SL) and University/College (UL)
Our Rising Stars for Early Learners Challenge offers simple experiences with the creative process, and it gives young kids a place to work together and make new friends.
Music can bring a story to life. Unleash your inner musician as you create your own instruments and use music to tell a story about friends going on a fantastic adventure. This season’s Early Learning Challenge will be music to your ears!
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Create and present a play about a group of friends going on a fantastic adventure together.
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Include a musical character.
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Create musical instruments and use them to perform a song.
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Create costumes, props, and scenery to help tell the story.
Kindergarten through Grade 2