15 Aerospace Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student interested in aerospace, competitions can be an effective way to explore the field in a more challenging setting. These opportunities often expose you to college-level academics, practical problem-solving, industry-relevant skills, and valuable connections with mentors and peers. They can also help you build experience in engineering, design, research, teamwork, and communication, all of which are useful in both college and future careers. For students hoping to strengthen their competitive college applications, participating in an aerospace competition can demonstrate initiative, skill, and genuine interest in the field.
Why should I participate in an aerospace competition in high school?
Participating in an aerospace competition in high school can help you move beyond classroom learning and apply what you know to challenges. These competitions often let you work on advanced problems, develop technical and creative skills, and gain experience that looks impressive on college applications. They can also introduce you to judges, mentors, industry professionals, and other students who share your interests, providing networking opportunities that may be valuable later. If you earn an award or place highly, it can further strengthen your college application by showing that you can perform well in a rigorous, selective environment.
To help you find the right fit, we have narrowed down 15 aerospace competitions for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These competitions cover diverse aerospace disciplines, including rocketry (American Rocketry Challenge, NASA Student Launch), robotics (Zero Robotics, Lunabotics Junior), drones (UAS4STEM, Aerospace Jam), and satellite engineering (CanSat), giving students options based on their technical interests.
Several competitions are free or low-cost to enter, including the Aerospace Jam (free) and NASA's TechRise Challenge, which provides $1,500 to winning teams to build their experiment, while others like the Conrad Challenge and UAS4STEM charge entry fees with financial aid available.
Most competitions run as multi-month engineering cycles, from proposal to final demonstration, such as the Conrad Challenge (9 months) and CanSat Competition (about 9 months), reflecting real aerospace project workflows.
International participation is possible in several competitions, including the Conrad Challenge, CanSat Competition, and UK Youth Rocketry Challenge, which accept teams from outside the United States.
Application deadlines are spread across the fall, with several falling between September and December, so students should research team formation and mentor requirements well before the school year begins.
Location: Great Meadow Foundation, The Plains, VA
Cost: The registration fee is $175 per team, with an additional $365 required to attend the National Finals. Teams also have the opportunity to compete for a share of $100,000 in awards.
Dates: March 30 – May 17 (year-long)
Application Deadline: December 6
Eligibility: High school and middle school students in teams with a mentor
The American Rocketry Challenge centers on designing, building, and launching a model rocket that meets a precise set of annual flight requirements, making it a hands-on engineering competition. You work in teams with a mentor to develop a rocket system, test it through multiple launches, and refine performance based on measured results. The process emphasizes iterative design, data analysis, and technical problem-solving as you adjust for stability, altitude, and payload constraints. Teams also document their work and prepare for evaluation during competitive launch events. Finalists advance to a national launch where they demonstrate both technical accuracy and consistency under real conditions.
Location: Nationwide U.S. competition
Cost: 60 winning teams will be selected to receive $1500 to build their experiment
Dates: Winners are announced in January
Application Deadline: applications expected to open in September
Eligibility: The competition is open to teams of 6th - 12th-grade students.
The NASA TechRise Student Challenge focuses on proposing a science or technology experiment that could be tested on a NASA-supported flight platform. You develop an idea, define its objectives, and outline how it would function within real-world constraints, such as size, weight, and environmental conditions. The submission process builds skills in experimental design, research, and technical communication. Selected teams move beyond the proposal stage to work toward building and testing their experiment with support and guidance. The competition highlights how ideas transition from concept to application in aerospace research.
Location: Online submission; finalists/winners are invited to NSS’s International Space Development Conference (ISDC)
Cost: $15 registration fee; fee may be waived for hardship. Grand Prize winner/team receives a $2,500 scholarship
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students ages 12–18; individuals or teams of 2–5 or 6–12 are judged separately.
The Live in a Healthy Space Design Contest requires you to design a component of a space settlement focused on supporting human life. You develop a concept that addresses practical aspects such as living conditions, sustainability, and system integration. The submission emphasizes research, creativity, and a clear explanation of how your design fits within a larger habitat. Students build skills in systems thinking and conceptual engineering through detailed planning. Finalists may present their work at a conference, providing an opportunity to share their ideas with a broader audience.
Location: Across U.S. high schools
Cost: Not specified
Dates: January 23 – March 23
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: The challenge is open to all US participants in grades 9 – 12 who are attending public, private, parochial, and home schools in the United States of America, and children of U.S. military members stationed overseas, in teams of 3–7 people
The Dream with Us Engineering Challenge involves developing a team-based solution to a real-world aviation problem posed by NASA and its partners. You research the problem, design a feasible engineering response, and present your concept through a structured submission. The competition focuses on applying STEM knowledge to real-world challenges, requiring participants to clearly explain their approach. It helps teams develop skills in collaborative problem-solving and effectively communicating technical ideas. Additionally, the challenge offers exposure to current issues in aviation and aerospace systems through themes that change annually.
Location: Online through the challenge year; the Innovation Summit is at Space Center Houston and NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: $499 entry fee for the Innovation Stage; financial aid is available.
Dates: August 28 – April 25 (9 months)
Application Deadline: October 30
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18; teams of 2–5 students with a coach; open to teams from anywhere in the world.
The Conrad Challenge is an innovation-based competition where you develop a solution to a global or industry-relevant problem. You work in teams to move from idea generation to a refined concept, often creating prototypes, business plans, or technical models. The process emphasizes research, creativity, and clear communication of your solution’s feasibility and impact. Teams progress through stages that include feedback and refinement before presenting at the final Innovation Summit. The competition integrates technical problem-solving with presentation and entrepreneurial thinking.
Location: Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX
Cost: Not specified
Dates: October – April (from initial rounds to finals)
Application Deadline: September 25
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in high school in grades 9–12. Teams must be led by a sponsor or educator from a U.S. education organization, and the minimum team size is five students and one Lead Teacher
The NASA App Development Challenge requires you to design a software application that addresses a specific problem related to space exploration or navigation. You work in a team to conceptualize the app, develop its functionality, and present how it would be used in a real-world scenario. The process builds skills in coding, user interface design, and translating technical requirements into usable tools. Teams also prepare a demonstration or presentation explaining their solution and its impact. The challenge connects software development to NASA missions, providing context for how digital tools support space operations.
Location: Online; finals are held at MIT, Boston, MA
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Runs September - December; Tournament ends March 15
Application Deadline: November 28
Eligibility: High school students and international teams are welcome; advisor registration is required as the first step.
The Zero Robotics High School Tournament focuses on programming autonomous robots to complete tasks in a simulated competitive environment. You write and test code that controls robot behavior, adjusting strategies as competition rounds progress. The challenge builds skills in coding, algorithm design, and debugging under evolving conditions. Teams collaborate remotely in the early rounds and advance through a performance-based tournament structure. Finalists present and run their programs in a live setting, demonstrating both technical accuracy and strategic thinking.
Location: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Not specified
Dates: August – April; ~ 9 months
Application Deadline: Proposal deadline is Late August–Early September
Eligibility: Open to U.S.-based teams (middle school, high school, college/university). High school teams must qualify through competitions such as the American Rocketry Challenge (Top 25) or similar, plus a required workshop.
The NASA Student Launch Challenge involves designing, building, and launching a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. You follow a structured engineering design cycle that includes proposal writing, design reviews, testing, and final launch preparation. Teams document their progress and present their work at various stages, mirroring professional aerospace project workflows. The competition emphasizes safety, precision, and teamwork throughout the process. The final launch event provides an opportunity to demonstrate the full system in a real flight environment.
Location: Virtual and AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI
Cost: US-based teams pay $1,495; additional teams under the same manager receive 50% off; international teams pay $1,695.
Dates: Virtual preliminary competition: April 14 – 29; Championship competition (by invitation): July 20 – 22
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: students aged 11-19, with the support of an adult mentor who manages the team
The UAS4STEM International Competition involves designing and operating unmanned aircraft systems to complete mission-based tasks. You plan flight strategies, manage drone operations, and adapt to specific challenges that simulate real-world scenarios. The competition emphasizes teamwork, safety, and technical decision-making throughout the process. Teams are evaluated on both performance and their ability to execute tasks effectively under constraints. The championship stage brings together top teams to demonstrate their systems in a structured competitive environment.
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Not specified
Dates: August 21 – April 11 (from initial rounds to finals)
Application Deadline: proposal deadline on September 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. and international students in grades 6–12, college, and university; NASA also accepts proposals from U.S./international middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, plus U.S. informal education institutions serving middle/high school students.
The Human Exploration Rover Challenge requires you to design and build a rover capable of navigating a simulated extraterrestrial terrain while completing mission tasks. You work through mechanical design, material selection, and performance testing to ensure the rover meets competition requirements. The process includes submitting design documentation and refining the vehicle through iterative improvements. Teams also engage in problem-solving under operational constraints during the final event. The challenge reflects real-world exploration scenarios by combining engineering design with functional testing.
Location: Regional events across the UK; national final in Buckminster, Grantham; international final at Farnborough International Airshow.
Cost: Not specified
Dates: March 25 – July 24
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Students ages 11–18; teams of 3–6 students from a single school, non-profit youth/educational organization, or home-schooled group.
The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge focuses on building and launching a rocket that meets defined mission criteria, similar to other model rocketry competitions. You work in teams to design, test, and refine your rocket, balancing factors such as stability, payload protection, and recovery systems. The process develops practical engineering and teamwork skills through repeated testing and iteration. Teams also prepare to explain their design choices and results during competition rounds. The challenge progresses from regional events to a national final, where teams demonstrate their final designs.
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: Free
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school teams across Wisconsin; teams of 2–10 students plus one adult mentor
The Aerospace Jam competition challenges teams to use drones to complete mission-based tasks inspired by real-world aerospace scenarios. Participants develop strategies, control robotic systems, and adapt to different levels of difficulty. The event encourages hands-on learning, teamwork, and problem-solving. Teams also develop skills in technical execution and collaboration while adapting to evolving mission needs. The format encourages continuous improvement and the sharing of knowledge among participants.
Location: Worldwide (local in-person and virtual events)
Cost: Not specified
Dates: October 4 – 5
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all ages, skill levels, and professional backgrounds
The International Space Apps Challenge is a global hackathon where you work in teams to solve real-world problems using NASA’s open data. You choose from a set of themed challenges and develop a project, which may include software, hardware concepts, or data-driven solutions. The competition emphasizes rapid prototyping, collaboration, and creative problem-solving within a limited timeframe. Teams present their work through demos, prototypes, or visual explanations that communicate both the idea and its application. Selected global nominees have their projects reviewed by NASA experts, providing exposure to professional evaluation and feedback.
Location: National competitions across Europe and Canada; final event at ESTEC
Cost: Not specified
Dates: September 15 – June 19 (Duration: ~9 months)
Application Deadline: Varies by national competition
Eligibility: Teams of 3–6 students aged 14–19 with a teacher/mentor; must be from eligible ESA member or partner countries
The CanSat Competition involves designing and building a small satellite that fits within the size of a soda can and performs a mission during a rocket launch. You work in teams to integrate sensors, communication systems, and recovery mechanisms into a compact payload. The project requires planning, testing, and iterative improvement to ensure the satellite functions during descent. Students develop skills in electronics, programming, and systems engineering while also documenting their design process. The competition culminates in a launch campaign where teams present their work and analyze flight data.
Location: Nationwide across the United States
Cost: Not specified
Dates: October 20 – January 25 (Duration: ~3 months)
Application Deadline: September 29
Eligibility: K–12 students in the United States (public, private, and homeschool)
The Lunabotics Junior Competition focuses on designing a robotic system capable of operating in a simulated lunar environment. You develop a concept for a robot capable of performing tasks such as excavation or movement across challenging terrain. The submission typically includes design documentation, technical drawings, and explanations of how the robot would function. The challenge builds skills in robotics design, systems thinking, and engineering communication. Students also gain experience in presenting their concepts clearly, as evaluation is based on both technical feasibility and the clarity of their explanations.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best aerospace competitions for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to hands-on engineering might consider the American Rocketry Challenge or NASA Student Launch, those interested in software might look at the NASA App Development Challenge or Zero Robotics, and those drawn to research and innovation might consider the Conrad Challenge or NASA Space Apps Challenge.
Are there free aerospace competitions for high schoolers?
Yes, the Aerospace Jam is free to enter, and several NASA-run challenges, including TechRise, Dream with Us, and the App Development Challenge, do not specify entry fees. Some competitions, like the American Rocketry Challenge and Conrad Challenge, charge registration fees but offer financial aid.
Can international students participate in aerospace competitions for high schoolers?
Yes, several competitions accept international teams, including the Conrad Challenge, CanSat Competition (open to ESA member and partner countries), UAS4STEM, UK Youth Rocketry Challenge, and the Human Exploration Rover Challenge.
Do aerospace competitions require a team or a mentor?
Most do. Competitions like the American Rocketry Challenge, UAS4STEM, and CanSat require teams with an adult mentor or coach, while others like the NASA App Development Challenge require a sponsor or educator to lead the team.
Which aerospace competitions involve building and launching something physical?
The American Rocketry Challenge, NASA Student Launch Challenge, UK Youth Rocketry Challenge, and CanSat Competition all involve designing, building, and launching a physical rocket or satellite payload, while the Human Exploration Rover Challenge involves building a rover for simulated terrain testing.
When should I apply to aerospace competitions for high school students?
Deadlines are mostly concentrated in the fall. Early deadlines include the NASA App Development Challenge (September 25) and Human Exploration Rover Challenge (September 15), while others like the American Rocketry Challenge (December 6) and UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (December 31) fall later in the year.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.