The rapid advancement of technology is transforming our world, as everyday objects increasingly communicate through the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. With the growing prevalence of sensors and actuators, the smartification of cities and daily environments is becoming a tangible reality. Consequently, it is essential to equip future generations with the knowledge and skills to design and master these technologies, moving beyond mere technical proficiency. This study investigates how 266 high school learners engage with professional technologies from STMicroelectronics through hands-on activities, analyzing the impact of design stages on their learning experience. Since 2023, this activity has been conducted yearly to inform and increase awareness of learners about STEM fields, with a particular focus on engineering. As a key innovation in this year’s research design, participants were challenged to design their smart objects collaboratively, fostering deeper engagement. Their perceived engagement levels were assessed through an anonymous post-workshop questionnaire. The results indicate that participants are highly engaged, even more than in the previous year’s edition, shedding light on the effectiveness of an open-ended design stage in engaging learners in emerging technologies.