Mission.io: 5th-Grade Engineering Activities That Build Problem-Solving Skills

Collaborative STEM Missions That Bring Engineering to Life

Engineering isn’t just about building—it’s about solving real problems as a team. Mission.io gives 5th graders the chance to think like engineers through full-class, story-driven missions. Students work together in small groups to design, test, and refine solutions in response to high-stakes, real-world challenges.

These digital missions aren’t isolated screen tasks—they’re collaborative experiences where every student plays a role, communicates ideas, and applies core STEM concepts in a way that’s deeply engaging and academically grounded.

Why Choose Mission.io?

Mission.io delivers collaborative, STEM-aligned engineering challenges that help students think critically, work together, and apply real-world problem-solving—all without the mess of traditional materials. Each mission brings the engineering design process to life through immersive, story-based scenarios tied to 5th-grade science and STEM standards.

Guides the Engineering Design Process – Missions lead students through planning, testing, and revising solutions to engineering challenges.
STEM Challenges Without Supplies – Skip the popsicle sticks and glue. Everything happens digitally—just launch and go.
Interactive & Team-Based – Missions are designed for group collaboration, communication, and creativity.
Problem-Solving Focus – Missions encourage students to solve real-world engineering problems, reinforcing problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
Aligned to Science & STEM Standards – Challenges integrate Next Generation Science Standards, making them a great fit for teaching STEM in the classroom.
Students Choose & Customize Learning – Teachers can assign missions, allowing students to choose the best approach and strategies to solve engineering challenges.

Fifth | Improving Prototypes

Reactor Revamp

The crew will use engineering skills to design an improved fusion reactor to power Koré's protective shield!

Standards: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3, CCSS ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1-10

Fifth | Minimizing Hazards

Tsunami

When a huge tsunami strikes on Viper 1, the crew will determine the best solutions to minimize hazards and reduce damage.

Standards: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, SEEd 5.1.5

Fifth | Forces and Motion

Off the Rails

Using their knowledge of forces and motion, the crew will fend off pesky GAL-Delilahs that are disassembling train tracks in Taipan.

Standards: 5.P3U1.4, 5.P3U2.5, P.5.6.4

What Does Mission.io Look Like in the Classroom?

Mission.io transforms your classroom into an engineering lab—without the cleanup. In each digital mission, students are dropped into a real-world challenge where they must work together to design, test, and improve their solutions using science and engineering principles.

Choose a Mission – Teachers select a standards-aligned engineering scenario built for 5th-grade learners.
Students Engage in Engineering Challenges – No paper plates, rubber bands, or simple materials—just computer-based problem-solving.
Launch the Challenge – Students explore engineering concepts, test variables, and design solutions in a virtual environment.
Guided by Teachers – Educators facilitate discussions, encourage teamwork, and guide students through the engineering design process.
STEM Learning That’s Fun & Interactive – Each STEM project is engaging, exciting, and designed to deepen STEM understanding.

Why Is Mission.io the Best Choice for Fifth Grade Teachers?

Mission.io offers a dynamic, interactive alternative to traditional hands-on STEM activities, ensuring students can:

✔ Engage in STEM Challenges & Digital Engineering Projects
✔ Strengthen Problem-Solving & Engineering Skills
✔ Develop Critical Thinking Through Digital Simulations
✔ Apply the Engineering Design Process in Virtual Environments
✔ Have Fun with Digital STEM Activities

Through 5th-grade engineering activities, students explore forces, create digital solutions, and build engineering knowledge in an interactive digital format.