Parents & Educators: About the Site

Guide to Web Features for Kids

The goal of the Design Squad Web site is to extend the Design Squad television experience, showcase engineering in the context of real-world applications, and explore content through the lens of "engineering as problem-solving using science, math, and technology."

Challenges (Episodes)

Each full-length episode of the Design Squad television series is made available on the site, and is paired with related activities to do away from the computer. Kids can also access behind-the-scenes "bonus" video not seen on TV. Each challenge page also includes a "Design Process" slideshow. This gives an overview of each team's steps in from the first brainstorm, all the way to the finished product.

Cast Bios

Each cast member has a bio page, with a ton of photos, and short interview about likes and dislikes, and their future aspirations.

Games

DESIGNit, BUILDit, FIDGiT

In this multiplayer game, players employ their problem-solving and engineering skills to save small, cute creatures called Fidgits. They design rooms with various configurations of objects to help get the creatures to safety. Players can also exchange these rooms with friends and work on them together. FIDGiT's overarching goal is to help kids strengthen and build their engineering design process skills while learning along the way that engineers rarely solve a problem on their first try.

String Thing

This interactive feature let's kids exercise their musical talent while learning about the physics of sound and string instruments. Changing the tension, gauge, and length of each string changes the pitch that it makes. Once all the strings are in place, you can add a beat and play it back!

ProFiles & Video

At the end of most episodes are "D-Squad Pro Files." Through these short videos, viewers meet engaging young engineers who demonstrate that engineering is a creative career where you get to work with great people, solve interesting problems, and design things that matter. Every ProFile is available for viewing online and is paired with related hands-on activities.

Build Projects

These hands-on activities cover a wide range of topics: motion, motors, wind power, simple machines, basic circuitry and more. Each project can be done alone or in groups, and are appropriate for a wide range of ages.