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 the events: 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!
Steamboat Challenge – Saturday, October 14, 2023
| Challenge | Construct a miniature working steamboat (or “putt-putt”) boat to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration Open at challenge.most.org |
| Support Sessions (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, September 2 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, September 16 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, September 23 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, September 30 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-4 No maximum number of teams per school |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name, Junior – Best Team Name, Senior – Best Team Spirit 2022 Award Winners Listed Here 2022 Team Spirit Winners (Tie): – Students of Paige Edgar, Citizenship Academy – Students of RISE Weekend Academy |
| Materials | We highly encourage the use of recyclable/recycled/up-cycled materials for building the boat (e.g. Styrofoam egg cartons, milk cartons, plastic bottles, etc.). |
| Rules/Specifications | Boats must pass an inspection of the following specifications to participate: – No larger than 6” wide and 8” long – Must float on the water of 3” depth – Fueled only by a single standard tealight candle (~1.53” diameter) |
| How-To Manual | Steamboat Boiler Instructions |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | Scored on the following metrics for a total of 100 points: – Fastest Race Time in 2 Heats – Boat Design – Team Knowledge of relevant STEM principles – Aesthetics/Creativity – Teamwork/Collaboration/Team Spirit |
Thank you to our sponsors!
Bridges Challenge – Saturday, November 11, 2023
| Challenge | Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration will open September 28, 2023. |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, October 7 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, October 14 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, October 21 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, October 28 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-4 No maximum number of teams per school |
| Awards | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name, Junior – Best Team Name, 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 |
| Rules, Specifications, and Construction Manual | Bridges must meet the dimensional, testing, and construction specifications listed in the Rules, Specifications, and Construction Manual. |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | 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. |
Thank you to our sponsors!
Micron Robotics Challenge – Saturday, January 27, 2024
| Challenge | 2024 Challenge Theme: TBD |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Kits provided to first 40 teams (30 Junior, 10 Senior) |
| Registration | Registration will open November 2023. |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, January 6 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, January 13 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, January 20 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) 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) Pick up your materials at a scheduled support session or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Rules/Specifications Manual | Specifications Manual |
| Award Results | Award Results |
| Award Images | Award Images |
| 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 |
Thank you to our sponsors!
CNY Science & Engineering Fair (CNYSEF) – Sunday, April 7, 2024
Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.
| Challenge | Conduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications |
| Date & Time | Sunday, April 7, 2024 Schedule Coming Soon! |
| Location | TBD |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration will open January 2024. |
| Pictures | Event pictures here |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, March 2 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, March 9 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, March 16 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, March 23 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-3 No maximum number of projects per school |
| Awards | Award info located here |
| Materials | Science Fair Board (Can be provided by MOST upon request) |
| Participation Rules & Guidelines | Participation Rules & Guidelines |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | Junior Level Rubric Sample Senior Level Rubric Sample |
Major Funding Provided By:
Additional Support Provided By:
Rocket Team Challenge – Saturday, June 1, 2024
| Challenge | Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, June 1, 2024, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Informational Flyer Here Location: Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2 |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration will open in April 2024 |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, May 4 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, May 11 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, May 18 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Saturday, May 25 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 4-8 students 6 teams per school maximum |
| 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) |
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Science Congress – Sunday, June 9, 2024
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024
2023 Congress Schedule – 2024 Schedule Coming Soon!
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: TBD – 2024 Information
Questions? Please email eventcoordinator@most.org.