Like the nationally known Destination Imagination competition, "Mind Builders" offers simple engineering problems to be solved by student teams. It begins with a few exercises to introduce the team concept. These are followed by ten warm up problems that can be completed within an hour or less, with little advanced preparation. Finally, teachers choose one of 12 engineering challenges to be completed by teams over an extended period, and presented to judges on Challenge Day.

For more than twenty years, the Richmond, Virginia Public Schools' program for gifted students has conducted an...