Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
TTU Home T-STEM Center Design Squad TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS)

To help Texas teachers integrate “Design Squad” into their classroom, every “Design Squad” challenge has been aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Now you and your students can prepare for the TAKS test with hands-on engineering challenges from “Design Squad”.


Challenge Science Mathematics Technology
Rubber Band Car

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4

Middle School (6-8)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.5
  • Force and Motion
    • 6.6A, 6.6B
    • 7.6A, 7.6B
    • 8.7A

  • Matter and Energy: 7.8A

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Measurement: 4.11A
  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools: 14, 15, 16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Measurement: 6.8A, 6.8B
  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools
    • 6.11, 6.12, 6.13
    • 7.13, 7.14, 7.15
    • 8.14, 8.15, 8.16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Uses Manufacturing and Construction: 2A, 2B
  • Design Process: 3A, 3B
  • Tools: 6
  • Safety: 7, 8
  • Develop a Plan: 9
  • Critical Thinking: 13
  • Communication: 15

Kinetic Sculpture

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Systems: 5
  • Patterns: 4.6B

Middle School (6-8)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.5
  • Systems: 6.5
  • Force and Motion
    • 6.6A
    • 7.6A, 7.6B
    • 8.7

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools: 14, 15, 16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools
    • 6.11, 6.12, 6.13
    • 7.13, 7.14, 7.15
    • 8.14, 8.15, 8.16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Uses Manufacturing and Construction: 2A, 2B
  • Design Process: 3A, 3B
  • Tools: 6
  • Safety: 7, 8
  • Develop a Plan: 9
  • Critical Thinking: 13
  • Communication: 15

Hidden Alarm

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Systems: 5
  • Circuits: 5.8C

Middle School (6-8)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.5
  • Systems: 6.5
  • Force and Motion
    • 6.6A
    • 7.6A, 7.6B
    • 8.7

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools: 14, 15, 16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools
    • 6.11, 6.12, 6.13
    • 7.13, 7.14, 7.15
    • 8.14, 8.15, 8.16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Uses Manufacturing and Construction: 2A, 2B
  • Design Process: 3A, 3B
  • Tools: 6
  • Safety: 7, 8
  • Develop a Plan: 9
  • Critical Thinking: 13
  • Communication: 15

Pop Fly

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4

Middle School (6-8)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.5
  • Force and Motion
    • 6.6A, 6.6B
    • 7.6A, 7.6B
    • 8.7A

  • Matter and Energy: 7.8A

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Measurement: 4.11A
  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools: 14, 15, 16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Measurement: 6.8A, 6.8B
  • Graphing: 7.11
  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools
    • 6.11, 6.12, 6.13
    • 7.13, 7.14, 7.15
    • 8.14, 8.15, 8.16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Uses Manufacturing and Construction: 2A, 2B
  • Design Process: 3A, 3B
  • Tools: 6
  • Safety: 7, 8
  • Develop a Plan: 9
  • Critical Thinking: 13
  • Communication: 15

Four Corners

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Systems: 5

Middle School (6-8)

  • Scientific Process: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.5
  • Systems: 6.5

Elem. School (4-5)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools: 14, 15, 16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Underlying Process and Mathematical Tools
    • 6.11, 6.12, 6.13
    • 7.13, 7.14, 7.15
    • 8.14, 8.15, 8.16

Middle School (6-8)

  • Uses Manufacturing and Construction: 2A, 2B
  • Design Process: 3A, 3B
  • Tools: 6
  • Safety: 7, 8
  • Develop a Plan: 9
  • Critical Thinking: 13
  • Communication: 15