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!

2025-26 STEM Challenges Flyer

Catapult Challenge – Saturday, October 17, 2026

View photos of the 2025 challenge winners here.

Challenge	Construct a miniature catapult to competition specifications that will compete in tests for (1) accuracy and (2) distance
Event Details	Date: Saturday, October 17, 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 (prior to 9:30 AM). *New in 2026: Friday testing sessions at the MOST are available for school teams who cannot attend Saturday’s main event. Please contact jnoble@most.org to book a testing time on Friday, October 16.
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 beginning September 2026 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 14, 2026

Challenge	Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications
Event Details	Date: Saturday, November 14, 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). *New in 2026: Friday testing sessions at the MOST are available for school teams who cannot attend Saturday’s main event. Please contact jnoble@most.org to book a testing time on Friday, October 16.
Registration	Click here to register beginning October 2026 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 30, 2027

Winner Photos	View photos of the 2026 winning teams here.
Challenge	2027 Prompt: TBD
Event Details	Date: Saturday, January 30, 2027, 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	Register at challenge.most.org beginning November 2026 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	– 1^st – 4^th 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 Robotics Challenge Judging Rubric

CNY Science & Engineering Fair (CNYSEF) presented by SRC – Sunday, April 4, 2027

Presented by SRC and Lockheed Martin

Download the 2026 CNYSEF Program Book

View 2026 Award Results

View 2026 Event and Award Photos

Challenge	Conduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications
Date & Time	Sunday, April 4, 2027 8:00 – 8:45 AM: Student Check-in/Setup 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Judging Period ~1:30 PM: Award Ceremony 2:30 PM: Project Breakdown
Location	MOST (500 S. Franklin St, Syracuse NY 13202)
Cost	Free
Registration	Registration Opens February 2027
Project Questions?	Email 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!
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, June 6, 2027

View Rocket Challenge winner photos here.

See final results here.

Challenge	Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications
Date & Time	Sunday, June 6, 2027, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2
Cost	Free
Registration	Registration will open in April 2027.
Materials & Kit Pickups	For each registered team, the MOST provides: 1. Model Rocket Kit (Provided ahead of time – pick up by arrangement with eventcoordinator@most.org) 2. Rocket Motor, Egg, Wadding (Provided at launch 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, 1^st – 4^th Place (Senior Division) · Top Overall Score, 1^st – 4^th 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)