15 Engineering Challenges for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 9
- 11 min read
If you want to test your problem-solving skills outside the classroom, engineering challenges can give you a more concrete way to apply them to a real build, research question, or community problem. That kind of experience can help you figure out what parts of engineering you actually enjoy, whether that is prototyping, coding, data analysis, technical writing, or presenting ideas. Engineering competitions can also strengthen your high school profile. They show that you can work through open-ended problems, collaborate with a team, and stick with a project long enough to improve it. If you place well, win awards, or advance to later rounds, that can give you an especially strong accomplishment to highlight in college applications.
Why should I participate in an engineering challenge in high school?
Engineering challenges help you build skills that are hard to develop through regular coursework alone. Depending on the competition, you may learn how to design prototypes, test and revise a solution, analyze data, use CAD software, write technical reports, pitch an idea, or troubleshoot under time pressure. If you're passionate about engineering, robotics, environmental science, aerospace, or applied research, these challenges provide clear evidence of that interest.
To help get you started, we’ve put together 15 engineering challenges for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These challenges span robotics (FIRST Robotics, VEX V5), aerospace and rocketry (NASA Dream With Us, American Rocketry Challenge, Build the Moon Challenge), mathematical modeling (Modeling the Future Challenge, HiMCM), research competitions (Regeneron STS, JSHS), and creative design (Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, Destination Imagination), giving students a wide range of engineering formats to explore.
Most challenges are free to enter, including NASA Dream With Us, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Conrad Challenge (Activation Stage), Toshiba ExploraVision, JSHS, Regeneron STS, Modeling the Future Challenge, and Build the Moon Challenge, while team-based robotics programs like FIRST Robotics (~$6,300 per team) and VEX V5 involve higher participation costs, though grants and sponsorships are often available.
Several competitions offer substantial prizes and scholarships, including Regeneron STS (up to $250,000), Modeling the Future Challenge (scholarships totaling up to $60,000), and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (classroom technology and national recognition), making them particularly strong additions to a college application.
Many challenges follow multi-stage structures that progress from regional or virtual rounds to national or international finals, including FIRST Robotics, VEX V5, American Rocketry Challenge, Conrad Challenge, and Destination Imagination, which rewards consistency and sustained effort over a full competition season.
Some competitions, such as Regeneron STS, JSHS, and Modeling the Future Challenge, emphasize written technical reports or research papers alongside the engineering work itself, building skills in scientific communication that are directly applicable to college-level STEM study.
Location: Virtual
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: September – March
Application Deadline: December (registration) | January (submission)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) in teams of 3–7 with a coach
The NASA Dream With Us Engineering Challenge invites you to design innovative solutions for the future of aviation. You work in a team to solve a real-world aerospace problem within a specific focus area, using engineering design principles and tools like NASA’s Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP). Throughout the competition, you develop an engineering notebook aligned with a scoring rubric and present your ideas to judges. The challenge includes multiple stages, from submission to semifinals and final presentations. Finalists showcase their solutions to NASA professionals, gaining exposure to real-world aerospace problem-solving and design processes.
Location: United States (school-based; national competition)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Fall – Spring (multi-stage competition)
Application Deadline: October–November
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 from public schools (teams apply via a teacher)
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national STEM competition where you develop engineering-based solutions to real-world community problems. Working in teams, you identify a local issue and design a project using technologies such as AI, data science, or hardware prototyping. You receive mentorship, resources, and guidance as you refine your idea across multiple competition stages, from the initial proposal to the final pitch. Selected teams advance to the semifinals and finals, competing for significant prizes including classroom technology and national recognition. This challenge is particularly valuable if you want to combine engineering, social impact, and innovation while building a strong college project.
Location: Chicago, IL (Illinois Institute of Technology)
Participation Fee: Low (cost of materials; registration typically free)
Dates: Spring (final competition typically April)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students (individual or team participation allowed)
The IIT International Bridge Building Contest is a structural engineering event in which participants design and build a model bridge using specific materials and following strict rules. The bridges are evaluated for strength, efficiency, and load capacity, demanding the application of physics, material science, and optimization principles. Participants must balance weight and structural integrity to achieve the best performance during load testing. The contest focuses on precision, iterative design, and engineering analysis. It is especially beneficial for those interested in civil engineering, structural design, and practical problem-solving.
Location: Virtual + Innovation Summit (Space Center Houston, TX)
Participation Fee: Free for Activation Stage; fee for Innovation Stage (financial aid available)
Dates: August – April | Summit: April 22 – 25
Application Deadline: October 30 (Activation Stage)
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 in teams
The Conrad Challenge is a global innovation competition in which you develop entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems across fields such as aerospace, energy, health, and cybersecurity. You progress through multiple phases, starting with idea development and advancing to the development of a detailed innovation plan. Along the way, you create deliverables such as business models, prototypes, and pitch presentations. Finalists are invited to present their work at the Innovation Summit held at Space Center Houston, where they compete for scholarships, awards, and global recognition.
Location: Global (regional, district, and international events)
Participation Fee: ~$6,300/team (grants and sponsorships available)
Dates: January – April (competition season)
Application Deadline: Team registration varies (typically late fall)
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–18; grades 9–12) in teams with mentors
The FIRST Robotics Competition is a large-scale robotics challenge where you design, program, and build an industrial-sized robot to compete in a new game released each January. Working in a team guided by mentors, you apply engineering, coding, and systems integration skills to create a functional robot that competes in alliance-based matches. Beyond technical work, you also develop a team identity, raise funds, and engage in community outreach to promote STEM. The competition emphasizes “Coopertition®,” combining collaboration and competition while building real-world engineering and leadership skills.
Location: Global (50+ countries; regional, national, and world championships)
Participation Fee: Moderate (team registration + robot kit costs; varies)
Dates: Year-round season (major events typically January–April; World Championship in April)
Application Deadline: Varies by region and event
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (team-based with mentors)
The VEX V5 Robotics Competition is one of the largest global robotics programs, where you design, build, and program a robot to compete in an annual game-based engineering challenge. Working in a team, you develop solutions using mechanical design, coding, and systems integration, while iterating your robot based on testing and competition performance. Teams participate in local and regional tournaments, with top performers advancing to the VEX Robotics World Championship. The competition emphasizes hands-on engineering, problem-solving, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
Location: United States (finals held in Washington, D.C. area)
Participation Fee: ~$150/team (additional build/material costs; grants available)
Dates: July – May (year-long competition cycle) | Finals: May
Application Deadline: December (registration closes)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in teams
The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest student rocket competition, where you design, build, and launch model rockets to meet precise flight requirements. Working in a team, you apply aerospace engineering principles to optimize altitude, payload, and flight stability through multiple test launches. You submit qualification flights, refine your design, and compete to reach the national finals fly-off. The competition emphasizes iterative engineering, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving in aerospace systems. Top teams compete for national recognition and cash prizes, with opportunities for mentorship and funding support.
Location: USA and Canada
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Regional: March 12 | National: April 28 | Award week: June 3 – 6
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Students in grades K–12, high school division available; teams of 2–4 with a coach
The Toshiba ExploraVision Competition challenges you to imagine and design future technologies by combining scientific research with engineering innovation. You work in a team to select a current technology, study it in depth, and propose how it could evolve over the next 10+ years. The project requires you to develop a detailed research report that includes scientific principles, design concepts, and potential societal impact. You also create visual representations and communicate your ideas clearly through structured submissions. Finalists receive national recognition, awards, and the opportunity to present their concepts.
Location: United States (regional competitions + National Symposium)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Fall – Spring (regional rounds) | National Symposium: typically spring
Application Deadline: Varies by region (usually January–February)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a distinguished research competition in which participants submit original, independent STEM research. You prepare a detailed research paper and, if chosen, present at a regional event. Successful contestants move on to the national level, competing through oral or poster presentations. The competition values scientific accuracy, critical thinking, and effective communication of complex ideas. With notable scholarship prizes and recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense, it is especially beneficial for those interested in careers in research, engineering, or science.
Location: Virtual + Finals Week in Washington, D.C.
Participation Fee: Free, Awards up to $250,000
Dates: Scholars announced January | Finalists announced January | Finals Week March
Application Deadline: Opens from June to November
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors conducting independent research
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is one of the most prestigious research competitions globally, designed for students who have conducted original, independent STEM research. You submit a detailed project demonstrating rigorous methodology, analytical depth, and real-world relevance across fields such as engineering, biology, or data science. The competition follows a highly selective, multi-stage evaluation process, recognizing 300 Scholars for their research, academic achievement, and leadership. From this group, 40 finalists are invited to Washington, D.C., where you present your work to expert judges, participate in interviews, and engage in public exhibitions.
Location: Virtual
Participation Fee: Free, Scholarships totaling up to $60,000
Dates: Annual cycle
Application Deadline: Fall (varies by cycle)
Eligibility: High school students (team participation with a teacher/mentor)
The Modeling the Future Challenge (MTFC) is a rigorous STEM competition where you use mathematics, data analysis, and computational modeling to solve real-world problems. Working as part of a team, you analyze complex datasets and build predictive models to assess risks and propose data-driven recommendations. The competition emphasizes actuarial science concepts, including uncertainty, probability, and decision-making under risk. You are expected to interpret data, construct models, and communicate your findings clearly in a professional-style report.
Location: Virtual (with optional physical experimentation component)
Participation Fee: Varies (registration + materials; grants available)
Program Dates: October – April (final submissions due March)
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: Middle and high school students worldwide (teams with a coach)
The Build the Moon Challenge (BTMC) is a multidisciplinary engineering competition in which you design and test solutions to construct sustainable lunar habitats. Working in a team, you create and experiment with “lunar concrete” using regolith simulants, testing its strength and durability through iterative trials. You then apply your findings to design structures such as landing pads or habitat walls that meet real mission constraints. The challenge integrates materials science, structural engineering, and space exploration concepts while emphasizing experimentation and data-driven design
13. UW Math Olympiad
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Early June (typically first Sunday)
Application Deadline: Registration opens late April
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–10
The UW Math Olympiad is a rigorous problem-solving competition that tests both your mathematical ability and your communication skills. You begin by solving a set of challenging problems independently, requiring strong analytical thinking and familiarity with advanced concepts. If you qualify for the next round, you present your solutions orally to mathematician judges and refine your explanations based on feedback. This format emphasizes not just arriving at the correct answer, but clearly articulating your reasoning and logic.
Location: Regional competitions (U.S. & international) + World Championship (virtual/in-person hybrid)
Participation Fee: Varies by region
Program Dates: Regional events: March – April | World Championship: March – May
Application Deadline: Registration closes ~3 days before regional events (or until full)
Eligibility: Teams of 1–15 students (middle and high school divisions with a coach)
The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest challenges you to design and build a complex machine that performs a simple task in the most creative and indirect way possible. Working in a team, you use everyday materials to construct a multi-step system that incorporates mechanical, structural, and timing elements. The competition emphasizes creativity, engineering design, and iterative problem-solving, as you refine your machine to ensure reliability and precision. Teams compete at regional events and can advance to national and world-level competitions, where projects are evaluated on functionality, complexity, and creativity.
Location: Global (regional tournaments + Global Finals)
Participation Fee: Varies by region/team registration
Program Dates: August – May (tournament season February – April; Global Finals in May)
Application Deadline: Varies by region (team formation typically August – January)
Eligibility: Students from elementary through high school (teams of 2–7 with a team manager)
Destination Imagination is a project-based STEAM competition where you work in a team to solve open-ended engineering and innovation challenges. You choose a category such as engineering, technical design, or scientific problem-solving and develop a solution over several months, culminating in a live presentation at tournaments. A defining feature of this program is its emphasis on independent creativity — teams must design and build their solutions without outside assistance. In addition to long-term projects, you also complete “Instant Challenges” that test quick thinking and teamwork under time constraints. Top teams advance through regional competitions to Global Finals, making this challenge particularly valuable if you want to build creative problem-solving, engineering design, and collaboration skills.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best engineering challenges for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's interests and goals. Students drawn to robotics might consider FIRST Robotics or VEX V5; those interested in aerospace might look at the American Rocketry Challenge or NASA Dream With Us; and those who enjoy research-based projects might consider Regeneron STS or JSHS.
Are there free engineering challenges for high school students?
Yes, many competitions are free, including NASA Dream With Us, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Conrad Challenge (Activation Stage), Toshiba ExploraVision, JSHS, Regeneron STS, and the Modeling the Future Challenge. Competitions like FIRST Robotics and VEX V5 involve team costs but typically offer grants and sponsorship opportunities to offset them.
Which engineering challenges are best for students who want to work in teams?
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Conrad Challenge, FIRST Robotics, VEX V5, American Rocketry Challenge, Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, Destination Imagination, and Build the Moon Challenge are all team-based competitions, while Regeneron STS and JSHS are individual research competitions.
Which challenges involve building a physical prototype or device?
FIRST Robotics, VEX V5, American Rocketry Challenge, International Bridge Building Contest, Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, and Build the Moon Challenge all require students to design and physically construct something, while competitions like Regeneron STS and Modeling the Future Challenge focus primarily on research, data analysis, and written reports.
Do any engineering challenges offer pathways to national or international recognition?
Yes, FIRST Robotics, VEX V5, and Destination Imagination all progress to world championships; American Rocketry Challenge and Toshiba ExploraVision advance top teams to national finals; and Regeneron STS invites 40 finalists to Washington, D.C., for a nationally recognized final event.
When should I apply to engineering challenges for high school students?
Deadlines are spread across the fall and winter. Early deadlines include Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (October to November), Conrad Challenge (October 30), and American Rocketry Challenge (December registration close), while others, such as International Bridge Building Contest (March) and Toshiba ExploraVision (February 9), fall later in the school year.
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.