PITTSBURGH (February 27, 2026) — For 17 years, WQED’s Design Lives Here has been inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in students across southwestern Pennsylvania. Design Lives Here is a hands-on engineering competition for students in grades 5–8, engaging learners from 52 local schools and more than 50 professional mentors working in engineering- and design-related fields.
Educators consistently praise the Design Lives Here initiative for giving students meaningful opportunities to showcase their talents and explore future pathways in STEM.
“This program’s growth has been incredible,” said Gwen Anderson, Project Manager for Design Lives Here. “Students engage in challenges, create prototypes, and on event day, collaborate with unfamiliar peers to solve engineering problems—building key workforce skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.”
The initiative is part of WQED’s broader education mission to support STEM learning throughout the entire semester, both in classrooms and after-school programs. Through real-world challenges, students are encouraged to think like engineers while developing critical problem-solving and collaboration skills.
2026 Regional Competition Dates and Locations
After months of training and programming, students now move to four culminating regional events across WQED’s Learning Neighborhoods. These competitions will take place on the following dates:
- Wednesday, March 4: Frank Sarris Public Library (Washington County)
- Wednesday, March 11: Franklin Regional Middle School (Westmoreland County)
- Wednesday, March 18: Community College of Beaver County (Beaver County)
- Thursday, March 26: PennWest Clarion University (Clarion County)
A Day of Engineering, Innovation, and Teamwork
Each competition features a full day of activity, during which student teams collaborate to solve two dynamic engineering challenges , guided by professional mentors.
Students also participate in the Invention Showcase , a pre-event competition that challenges teams to identify a real-world problem, design a solution, and build a prototype. For the showcase, students chose from seven categories—including kitchen/culinary, pets, sports/hobbies, and transportation vehicles—and submitted a video highlighting their inventions. Winners of the Invention Showcase are announced during each event.
Inspired by the PBS KIDS series Design Squad Nation , Design Lives Here has engaged thousands of students since its inception, helping young learners build technical knowledge while discovering the creativity behind engineering.
For a complete list of participating schools and more information about the program, visit Design Lives Here at wqed.org/education/designliveshere.
Program Support and Partners
Design Lives Here 2025–2026 is a WQED initiative made possible through major underwriting by Howmet Aerospace Foundation, PPG Foundation, Duquesne Light, Huntington National Bank, ATI, and MSA. Additional funding is provided by ANSYS, Ninja Transfers, and Rush Order Tee’s , as well as the Engineers’ Society of Western PA , a founding partner of the program.
About WQED
Founded more than 70 years ago as America’s first community-owned television station, WQED was a forerunner to PBS and the television home of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Known as southwestern Pennsylvania’s Voice of the Arts , WQED provides a vital platform that amplifies our region’s vibrant and diverse cultural assets. Every day, WQED showcases the stories and voices that make our communities unique, strengthening our connections to each other, and deepening our pride in the place we call home.
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