MNN - Mother Nature Network

Tell your kids that there's a new website where they can learn all about engineering and they will probably yawn in your face while their eyes glaze over. But tell them there is a new site where they can learn how to build an unpoppable balloon, design a penny bridge, or learn how roller coasters are built and you might just have their attention.

 

That new website is actually not new at all.  It's Design Squad Nation over at PBSkids, but a recent redesign makes for a fun site that helps kids share their creative ideas with other like-minded kids. The site includes videos, games and lots of how-to advice that fosters the spirit of invention.

 

On the site, kids can earn points by contributing ideas, sketches and photos of the projects they dream up, and they can keep track of all the things they've made in their own profile pages. Or they can just watch a few videos and play a few games and see where their creativity takes them.

 

No matter what your kids are into — whether it's dance or desserts or design — Design Squad Nation has a video, project or inspiring example of how engineering can further their interests.