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!
2024-2025 STEM Challenges Flyer
Catapult Challenge – Saturday, October 12, 2024
The CNY Steamboat Challenge has been retired following the 2023 competition. In 2024, the MOST inaugurates a new challenge: the 2024 CNY Catapult Challenge!
| Challenge | Construct a miniature catapult to competition specifications that will compete in tests for (1) accuracy and (2) distance |
| Event Details | Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| 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 | Registration is free and a free materials kit provided upon registration. Register here today! |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, September 28, 2024 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) at the MOST Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name (Junior and Senior) – Team Spirit & Sportsmanship Results and participation certificates can be found here! |
| Materials | Only materials on the following APPROVED MATERIALS list may be used. A standard kit 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. – Popsicle/craft sticks – Rubber bands – Plastic spoon(s) – Clothespin(s) – Wooden Dowel rod – School or Wood Glue -Ping pong ball (as projectile) |
| 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 | Catapult Challenge Rules & Guidelines Manual |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | 2024 Scoresheet – FINAL |
Bridges Challenge – Saturday, November 9, 2024
| Challenge | Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications |
| Event Details | Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Registration | Registration is free and a free materials kit provided upon registration. As of 10/22/2024, we received another batch of balsa wood kit. We currently have approximately 40 additional kits available for pickup. Remember, you must register your team before picking up your kits. Register here today! |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, September 28, 2024 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) at the MOST Or 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 |
| Scoring/Awards | Teams are ranked by efficiency score (a ratio of how much load the bridge can handle to the bridge’s mass.) The load will be measured in kilograms, while the bridge’s mass will be measured in grams. The following awards are given: – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name (Junior and Senior) – Best Team Spirit |
| Materials | – Balsawood & Glue Kit (Provided by MOST) Pick up your Kit at a scheduled support session or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Project Specifications & Manual | Teams may only use approved materials to construct a bridge that meets the dimensional, testing, and construction specifications listed in the Rules, Specifications, and Construction Manual. |
Micron Robotics Challenge – Saturday, January 25, 2025
| Challenge | 2025 Challenge Theme: “Design a device that can help on a farm” |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free to register; Free Kits provided to first 40 teams (30 Junior, 10 Senior) with a limit of 3 teams per teacher per school maximum. Non-school affiliated teams will not count towards the limit. |
| Registration | Click here to register! Free materials kit provided upon registration |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, January 4, 2025 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) at the MOST Saturday, January 11, 2025 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) at the MOST Saturday, January 18, 2025 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) at the MOST Saturday, January 25, 2025 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) at the MOST Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and 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 Kits (Provided by MOST) Teams must be registered to pick up a kit. Pick up your materials at a scheduled support session or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Rules/Specifications Manual | Challenge Rules & Guidelines Manual |
| Award Results | Award Results (2024) |
| Award Images | Award Images (2024) |
| Scoring/Judging 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 30, 2025
Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.
Award Winner Photos from 2025 Competition
| Challenge | Conduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications |
| Date & Time | Sunday, March 30, 2025 2025 Fair Schedule |
| Location | MOST (500 S. Franklin St, Syracuse NY 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration closed |
| Pictures | 2024 Award winner pictures 2024 Event pictures here |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at MOST 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 2024 Award winner pictures |
| 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 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
| Results | View 2024 results here View 2024 winner photos here |
| Challenge | Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, May 31, 2025, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2 |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration will open Monday, April 7, 2025 |
| 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) |
| Materials | – Model Rocket Kit (Provided by MOST) – Rocket Motor, Egg, Wadding (Provided at Event) Rocket kits can be picked up either at a Support Session (see above) or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org. |
| 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 – Sunday, June 8, 2025
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:
