MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Middle school students from across Wisconsin put their creativity and engineering skills to the test Friday at Waukesha County Technical College.

Teams of students designed multi-step machines using everyday materials, all with one goal: water a plant.

The hands-on competition gives kids real-world STEM experience while showing how teamwork can turn simple ideas into working inventions.

"It really comes down to make engineering and STEM fun," said Rich Merkel, executive director of STEM Forward. "If we can engage and inspire and get the creative juices flowing, students are more likely to continue an education in STEM, and ultimately, hopefully a STEM career."

The challenge had nearly 40 teams from nine different schools across our hometowns.