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!

ChallengeConstruct a miniature working steamboat (or “putt-putt”) boat to challenge specifications
Date & TimeSaturday, October 14, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202)
CostFree
RegistrationRegistration 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
DivisionJunior: Grades 4-8 and
Senior: Grades 9-12
Team SizeTeams 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
MaterialsWe 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/SpecificationsBoats 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 ManualSteamboat 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!

ChallengeConstruct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications
Date & TimeSaturday, November 11, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202)
CostFree
RegistrationRegistration 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
DivisionJunior: Grades 4-8 and
Senior: Grades 9-12
Team SizeTeams 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 ManualBridges 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!

Challenge2024 Challenge Theme: TBD
Date & TimeSaturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202)
CostKits provided to first 40 teams (30 Junior, 10 Senior)
RegistrationRegistration 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
DivisionJunior: Grades 4-8 and
Senior: Grades 9-12
Team SizeTeams 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 ManualSpecifications Manual
Award ResultsAward Results
Award ImagesAward 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!

Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.

ChallengeConduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications
Date & TimeSunday, April 7, 2024
Schedule Coming Soon!
LocationTBD
CostFree
RegistrationRegistration will open January 2024.
PicturesEvent 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
DivisionJunior: Grades 4-8 and
Senior: Grades 9-12
Team SizeTeams of 1-3
No maximum number of projects per school
AwardsAward info located here
MaterialsScience Fair Board (Can be provided by MOST upon request)
Participation Rules & GuidelinesParticipation Rules & Guidelines
Scoring/Judging Rubric  Junior Level Rubric Sample
Senior Level Rubric Sample

Major Funding Provided By:

Additional Support Provided By:


ChallengeConstruct a model rocket to challenge specifications
Date & TimeSaturday, June 1, 2024, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Informational Flyer Here

Location: Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2
CostFree
RegistrationRegistration 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
DivisionJunior: Grades 4-8 and
Senior: Grades 9-12
Team SizeTeams 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 GuideCNY Rocket Team Challenge Participation Guide, including details on kit components, inspection criteria, judging interview, and more.
Assembly ManualsJunior 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!

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

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