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STEAM - Design Under Constraints: Solving Real Engineering Problems

  • Journey Museum & Learning Center 222 New York Street Rapid City, SD, 57701 United States (map)

Join us this week to navigate engineering constraints!

This March, The Journey Museum invites families to step into the role of engineers and designers, exploring how structures are built to last through time, force, and change. Participants are introduced to the Engineering Design Process, guiding them through real-world challenges that require planning, testing, failure, and redesign. 

Learners will use materials creatively while working within constraints just like real engineers. Through building, testing, and improving their designs, participants discover how thoughtful design choices shape the strength, stability, and durability of structures all around us. 

Each session follows the same design cycle: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve, and Share. Optional Engineer+ Challenge Cards provide added complexity for older learners ready to push their designs further. 


For this week’s activity, learners explore why real engineers work within limits. In this final challenge, participants design structures using a limited set of materials and evolving constraints. Midway through the activity, new challenges are introduced, requiring teams to adapt, redesign, and problem-solve in real time. This session emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and strategic decision-making in the engineering process. 


STEAM Saturdays are offered seasonally from October through April and are fun for the whole family. No need to pre-register, just bring your curiosity!

Morning Session: 10:30am - 11:00am

Afternoon Session: 2:00pm - 2:30pm

STEAM Saturdays are free with your daily admission or annual membership to the Journey Museum. Not a member? Become one today!

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March 27

Turtle Soup | Corey Christianson - A South Dakotan in the Great War: Alfred Dahlin

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March 28

Women's Adventure Film Tour 2026