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 12, 2024
Congratulations to our 2023 Steamboat Challenge winners!
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 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Divisions | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: Grades 9-12 |
| Team Size | Teams of 1-4 Unlimited number of teams per school |
| Registration | Registration Not Yet Open |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, September 14 (2:00 – 3:00) @ MOST Saturday, September 21 (2:00 – 3:00) @ MOST Saturday, September 28 (2:00 – 3:00) @ 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 |
| 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) – School or Wood Glue |
| Rules/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 |
| How-To Manual | Manual Coming Soon! |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | Scored on the following metrics for a total of 100 points: – Student Presentation to Judges (2-3 minutes) on the team’s design & the STEM principles at work – Accuracy Test (best of 3 attempts) – Distance Test (best of 3 attempts) |
Bridges Challenge – Saturday, November 9, 2024
| Challenge | Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Registration Not Yet Open |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, October 5 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, October 12 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, October 19 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, October 26 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Division | Junior: Grades 4-8 and Senior: 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 – 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 |
| Challenge 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. |
Healthy Snacks for Students and Campers Courtesy of TOPS
Micron Robotics Challenge – Saturday, January 27, 2024
View photos from the 2024 event.
| Challenge | 2024 Challenge Theme: “Design a device that can help a person with a disability complete a task” |
| 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 December 1, 2023 at challenge.most.org |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | Saturday, January 6 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, January 13 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, January 20 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ 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 Coming Soon (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 |
Healthy Snacks for Students and Campers Courtesy of TOPS
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 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 2 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, March 9 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, March 16 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, March 23 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ 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! 2024 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:
Healthy Snacks for Students and Campers Courtesy of TOPS
Rocket Team Challenge – Saturday, June 1, 2024
| Challenge | Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, June 1, 2024, 9:00 AM – 1:00 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) @ MOST Saturday, May 11 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, May 18 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ MOST Saturday, May 25 (2:00 – 3:00 PM) @ 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 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) |
Healthy Snacks for Students and Campers Courtesy of TOPS
Science Congress – Sunday, June 9, 2024
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024
2024 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 block of rooms has been reserved for the Science Congress at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown (100 E Onondaga St., Syracuse 13202). To book a room, attendees/fair directors/chaperones should contact the Marriott and ask for the Museum of Science & Technology Room Block, or book using this link.
Questions? Please email eventcoordinator@most.org.
Links for Finalists and Fair Directors:
2024 Student Registration Form
Healthy Snacks for Students and Campers Courtesy of TOPS
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Thank you to all of our sponsors!
Linda Ervin
Cynthia Scott
Bandera Architecture