STEM Challenges
The MOST organizes four Design, Build & Compete outreach programs and a regional science fair for students in the center of New York State from Canada to the Pennsylvania border. Students who live in the following counties are welcome to register for all of the competitions: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins.
Have event photos? Tag @MOSTSyracuse on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a chance to be featured on the MOST’s social media accounts!
Catapult Challenge – Saturday, October 18, 2025
| Challenge | Construct a miniature catapult to competition specifications that will compete in tests for (1) accuracy and (2) distance |
| Event Details | Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) Admission to the MOST is free for students and their families arriving for the Challenge (9-9:30 AM). |
| Eligibility/Divisions | Junior Division: Grades 4-8 Senior Division: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-4 Unlimited number of teams per school |
| Registration | Click here to register Registration is free and a free materials kit is provided to each registered team. Team leaders may be a teacher, coach, tutor, parent/guardian, or other adult with the permission of the student’s guardians. |
| Support Sessions | Free support sessions are available to introduce students to relevant STEM careers and to the challenge project. Support sessions can be booked (subject to staff availability) by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name (Junior; Senior) – Team Spirit & Sportsmanship |
| Materials | Only materials on the following APPROVED MATERIALS list may be used. A free kit containing a basic set of these materials will be provided to each registered team. Teams may use more of the materials than are provided in the kit, but they must be materials from the APPROVED MATERIALS list. Please consult the Challenge Manual for more details. APPROVED MATERIALS LIST – Popsicle/craft sticks (multiple sizes) – Rubber bands – Plastic spoon(s) – Clothespin(s) – Wooden Dowel rod – School or Wood Glue – Ping pong ball (as projectile) Once teams have been registered, pick up your kit at the MOST front desk during open hours, or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Project Specifications | Catapults must pass an inspection of the following specifications to participate: – Must use only materials on the APPROVED MATERIALS list – Must not exceed 8″ wide and 10″ long – Must not include a counterweight, latch, or slingshot mechanism |
| Challenge Manual | Teams may only use approved materials to construct a catapult that meets the specifications listed in the Catapult Challenge Rules & Guidelines Manual. |
| Scoring Rubric | Catapult Scoresheet |
Bridges Challenge – Saturday, November 15, 2025
| Challenge | Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications |
| Event Details | Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) Admission to the MOST is free for students and their families arriving for the Challenge (9-9:30 AM). |
| Registration | Click here to register Registration is free and a free materials kit is provided to each registered team. Team leaders may be a teacher, coach, tutor, parent/guardian, or other adult with the permission of the student’s guardians. |
| Support Sessions | Free support sessions are available to introduce students to relevant STEM careers and to the challenge project. Support sessions can be booked (subject to staff availability) by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Eligibility/Divisions | Junior Division: Grades 4-8 Senior Division: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-4 Unlimited number of teams per school |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name (Junior; Senior) – Team Spirit & Sportsmanship |
| Materials | Balsawood & Glue Kit (Provided by MOST) Once teams have been registered, pick up your kit at the MOST front desk during open hours, or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Project Specifications & Manual | Teams may only use approved materials to construct a bridge that meets the specifications listed in the Rules, Specifications, and Construction Manual. |
Robotics Challenge presented by Amazon – Saturday, January 31, 2026
| Challenge | 2026 Prompt: Design a device that can help humans observe or explore space. |
| Event Details | Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) Admission to the MOST is free for students and their families arriving for the Challenge (9-9:30 AM). |
| Registration | Registration will open in November 2025. Registration is free and a free materials kit is provided to each registered team. Team leaders may be a teacher, coach, tutor, parent/guardian, or other adult with the permission of the student’s guardians. |
| Support Sessions | Free support sessions are available to introduce students to relevant STEM careers and to the challenge project. Support sessions can be booked (subject to staff availability) by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 4-8 students 3 teams per school maximum |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Spirit – “Fan Favorite” Project |
| Materials | Minicomputer (Arduino) Kits (Provided by MOST) Once teams have been registered, pick up your kit at the MOST front desk during open hours, or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| Rules/Specifications Manual | Challenge Rules & Guidelines Manual |
| Scoring Rubric | Scored on the following metrics for a total of 100 points: – technical proficiency/efficiency – design creativity/process – student comprehension of STEM concepts |
CNY Science & Engineering Fair (CNYSEF) – Sunday, March 29, 2026
Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.
| Challenge | Conduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications |
| Date & Time | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Location | MOST (500 S. Franklin St, Syracuse NY 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration closed |
| Pictures | Award Winner Photos from 2025 Competition |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | TBD Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-3 Unlimited number of projects per school |
| Awards | Dozens of prizes, cash awards, and scholarships for all ages! 2025 Awards List |
| Materials | Science Fair Board can be provided by MOST upon request to eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Participation Rules & Guidelines | Participation Rules & Guidelines |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | Junior Level Rubric Sample Senior Level Rubric Sample |
Major Funding Provided By:
Rocket Team Challenge – Sunday, May 31, 2026
| Results | |
| Challenge | Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Sunday, May 31, 2026, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2 |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration is now open. Click here to register! |
| Materials & Kit Pickups | – Model Rocket Kit (Provided by MOST) – Rocket Motor, Egg, Wadding (Provided at Event) Note: Only registered teams are eligible to pick up kits. Teams are also welcome to reuse Green Eggs or Graduator rockets from previous years for bonus sustainability points! |
| Support Line | Have questions or need help with your build? Please email eventcoordinator@most.org for assistance or to schedule a support session with our Syracuse Rocket Club advisor. |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 4-8 students Team leaders may register a maximum of 3 teams (Maximum of 6 teams per school in junior and senior divisions) |
| Awards | · Top Overall Score, 1st – 4th Place (Senior Division) · Top Overall Score, 1st – 4th Place (Junior Division) · Best Team Name (Senior Division) · Best Team Name (Junior Division) · Most Accurate Apogee Prediction (Senior Division) · Highest Flight (Junior Division) |
| Participation Guide | CNY Rocket Team Challenge Participation Guide, including details on kit components, inspection criteria, judging interview, and more. |
| Assembly Manuals | Junior Level Manual and MOST Manual Addendum (Green Eggs Rocket) Senior Level Manual and MOST Manual Addendum (Graduator Rocket) |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | See Participation Guide (above) |
Science Congress
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Time: 2025 Science Congress Schedule
Location: Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) – 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse, NY, 13202
Registration: By invitation from a Regional Congress/Fair only
Accommodations: A room block has been reserved for Science Congress participants/attendees at the Best Western Syracuse Downtown Hotel (416 South Clinton Street). Room rates range from $159-169 plus tax and include free breakfast and parking. Guests can call 315-425-0500 and reference NYS Science Congress, or use this link to book online. Rooms must be booked by 4/22.
Questions? Please email eventcoordinator@most.org.
Links for Finalists and Fair Directors:
2025 Regional Congress Report (to be completed by Fair Directors)
2025 Student Registration Form (to be completed by invited Finalists)
Join Our STEM Competition Mailing List
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
Healthy Snacks for Students
and Campers Courtesy of:
