American Rocketry Challenge
Scholarship Sponsored by National Association of Rocketry
Overview
The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest student rocketry competition, engaging more than 110,000 middle and high school students. It offers a yearlong, project-based opportunity to design, build, test, and launch model rockets against mission-specific requirements. The program emphasizes hands-on engineering, leadership, teamwork, and problem solving while deepening students’ interest in aerospace and STEM fields. Participating teams gain practical experience across design, fabrication, testing, and launch operations.
Description: A nation-wide student competition that challenges teams to meet strict flight objectives through iterative engineering practice and testing.
History of the Award: Over its history the challenge has reached more than 110,000 students, becoming a major pipeline for STEM engagement at the middle- and high-school levels.
- Large-scale, yearlong STEM program for grades 6–12
- Focus on hands-on engineering and teamwork
- Practical experience from design through launch
Rules of the 2027 American Rocketry Challenge
The 2027 rules set precise mission objectives that determine scoring and safety requirements. Teams must design rockets that protect onboard payloads, meet a designated altitude, and achieve a target flight duration within a narrow tolerance. Safety, repeatability, and accurate measurement are enforced during launches, and teams are expected to test and iterate prior to competition. Consult the official rulebook for full specifications on motors, materials, launch procedures, and scoring.
Requirements: Rockets must meet payload, altitude, and flight-time constraints; careful recovery design and testing are essential to meet those requirements.
- Payload: Carry two raw Grade A large eggs (55–63 grams each) in any orientation; both eggs must survive the flight uncracked.
- Altitude Goal: Reach 800 feet.
- Flight Time: Land within a flight-time window of 37 to 40 seconds.
- Strict, measurable mission objectives govern design and scoring
- Payload protection and recovery system design are critical
- Teams must balance altitude and flight-time accuracy
How to Compete
Teams of middle and high school students design, build, test, and launch rockets to meet the stated mission objectives and compete for awards. Teams should register to participate, form a project plan, iterate through testing, and document results to prepare for regional and national events. The competition also offers recognition and opportunities for top teams to represent the United States internationally. Coaches and mentors support student learning and ensure compliance with safety and competition rules.
Eligibility: Open to student teams in grades 6–12.
Application Timeline: Registration is currently open; teams should review official deadlines and regional launch dates on the program’s website.
- Form a team, register, and follow the official schedule
- Iterative testing and documentation improve performance
- Coaches and mentors help ensure safety and rule compliance