edMe Challenge: Design a Safety Suit

NOTE: This competition concluded in January 2025. Thanks to all who participated!

This website has the rubrics, readings and process descriptions. You can use any of these resources or create your own entry without the support. If you submit a draft before January 20, we will give you feedback. All entries are due January 31 and we will mail prize money to the address provided by your parent in the sign-up form.

Due: Jan. 31 11:59pm ET

Challenge: Design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. In your essay describe the risks that your suit addresses. Then, describe how your suit addresses those risks.

K-6 Challenge Description & Upload

Grades 7-12 Challenge Description & Upload

Challenge Rules Including Draft Upload Information

Engineering Design Process Descriptions

Engineering Design Process Examples

Writing Supports & Practice Problems

K-6 Challenge

In 600 words or less, write an essay describing a problem that a safety suit can solve and the best design for the safety suit to solve those problems. To write the essay, you will need to design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. In your essay describe the risks that your suit addresses. Then, describe how your suit addresses those risks.

Include a cartoon with 2-8 pictures that show how your suit works.

Prize: $300 for first place

Entries will be scored using this rubric and must include this sign-up form.

Certificates awarded for high-achieving submissions.

Submissions Are Now Closed

These readings help understand risks and how to make cartoons.

7-12 Challenge

In 1,000 words or less, write an essay describing a problem that a safety suit can solve and the best design for the safety suit to solve those problems. To write the essay, you will need to design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. Managing risks also includes exploring opportunities. Describe how your suit addresses those risks and the opportunities your suit creates.

Include two scale drawings that show how your suit works.

Entries will be evaluated with this rubric and must include this sign-up form.

Prize: $500 for first place

Certificates awarded for high-achieving submissions.

Submissions Are Now Closed

These readings help understand risks and how to make scale drawings.

Rules

What do I turn in?

There is a sign-up form and you upload your writing and drawings in one PDF.

Do I have to upload a draft?

No. In most jobs, you talk with the people you write and design for. In this competition, you can submit a draft by the 20th and receive feedback on your progress so you can provide the best possible draft by the deadline.

What is the prize?

edMe Learning will mail a check to the address of the person finishing in first place. In addition, edMe Learning will email certificates to students that provide high-level work.

Can my paper go over the limit?

Absolutely not. The paper, including the title, need to fit within the described limit. Any cited resources will not be counted against the word count.

Can I get help?

You need to write the paper, but there are lots of ways to get help. You can research the topic and cite your resources. You can have someone read a draft and give you feedback and help with grammar. You cannot have AI write this for you. We want to hear your voice–the way you tell stories is important!

Need further assistance?

Need help finding the answers you need? Let’s have a conversation.

Chat with us

You can email with us at edme@myedme.com.

Engineering Design Processes

There are many ways to organize the engineering design process. Two of them are shown below with questions to help you understand them better. The video shows engineering design processes you may consider if the PDFs are too hard to understand.

If you have used another engineering design process before, feel free to use the one you have used before.

Answer Keys for Engineering Design Process Readings

Engineering Design Examples

These activities guide you through engineering designs from different books that edMe Learning has published. The first example has you reimagine your workspace, just like Thomas Jefferson did. The second example has you design a way to keep ice cubes cold. The third example shows how to write about Geiger counters. It’s not a safety suit, but this safety device writing sample shows how to develop your ideas.