The eighth grade boy’s STEM class at RPRY were challenged to design the sturdiest platform possible using a limited amount of paper and tape, to bear a maximum amount of weight. The design challenge reflected the engineering design process of ask, imagine, plan, develop, test and improve in an ongoing loop. The students learned about the importance of using an engineering notebook to record their ideas, inventions, experimentation records and all work details. This can impact the outcome of a patent application! STEM at RPRY is part of the yeshiva’s academic philosophy to teach students higher order thinking skills, fostering creative problem solving in and out of the classroom.