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 15, 2022
| Challenge | Construct a miniature working steamboat (or “putt-putt”) boat to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Awards Listed Here | |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | – Thursday, September 22 (4-6 PM) – Saturday, October 1 (10 AM -12 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 |
Bridges Challenge – Saturday, November 5, 2022
| Challenge | Construct the most efficient balsawood bridge to challenge specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: MOST (500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY, 13202) |
| Cost | Free |
| Reg. Opens | Registration Closed |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | – Thursday, October 13 (4-6 PM) – Saturday, October 22 (10 AM -12 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. |
Micron Robotics Challenge – Saturday, January 28, 2023
| Challenge | Construct an automated device to complete this year’s challenge: “Combat the effects of climate change” |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 28, 2023, 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) |
| Reg. Opens | Registration Closed for 2023 |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | – Thursday, December 15 (4-6 PM) – Saturday, January 14 (10 AM -12 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 |
CNY Science & Engineering Fair (CNYSEF) – Saturday, April 1, 2023
Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.
| Challenge | Conduct and present a science fair project to fair specifications |
| Date & Time | Saturday, April 1 2023 (Check-in Opens at 8:00 AM) Event Schedule |
| Location | Recreation Center, Le Moyne College |
| Cost | Free |
| Reg. Opens | REGISTER HERE (Registration closes the Sunday prior to the event) |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | – Saturday, February 25 (10 AM -12 PM) – Thursday, March 9 (4-6 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 | Dozens of merit awards, prizes, scholarships, and qualifying status for the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) |
| 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 |
Thank you to our sponsors:
Presented by Lockheed Martin & SRC, Inc.
Rocket Team Challenge – Saturday, June 3, 2023
| Challenge | Construct a model rocket to challenge specifications and predict its apogee |
| Date & Time | Saturday, June 3, 2023, – Time TBD Location: TBD |
| Cost | Free |
| Reg. Opens | April 3, 2023 (Registration closes the Sunday prior to the event or when registration is full, whichever comes first) |
| Support Session (Open Help Hours) | – Thursday, April 27 (4-6 PM) – Saturday, May 20 (10 AM -12 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 | – 1st – 4th Place, Junior – 1st – 4th Place, Senior – Best Team Name, Junior – Best Team Name, Senior – Best Recycled Rocket – Best Team Spirit |
| Materials | – Model Rocket Kit (Provided by MOST) – Rocket Motor, Egg, Wadding (Provided at Event) Pick up your Kit at a scheduled support session or by appointment with eventcoordinator@most.org |
| Rules/Specifications | Rockets must pass inspection of the following specifications to participate: – Engine mount secure – Fins straight – Rail buttons aligned – Chute points secure – Nose cone & payload fit |
| How-To Manuals | Link Coming Soon |
| Scoring/Judging Rubric | Scored on the following metrics for a total of 100 points: – Team Knowledge of relevant STEM principles – Rocket Aesthetics/Creativity – Apogee Calculation Accuracy – Flight Performance – Eggstronaut Recovery |
Thank you to our sponsors:
Dorothy & Marshall M. Reisman Foundation
Science Congress – Sunday, June 11, 2023
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2023
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 the Science Congress at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown at Armory Square (300 W. Fayette St.), only two blocks from the MOST. Double-queen rooms are available for $179/night, and parking is available for an additional $14/night.
To book a room, guests can call the reservations desk at 315-422-4854, or use the group link below for online reservations. When calling, all guests must identify themselves as a member of the Science Congress Group in order to obtain the Group’s rate. Rooms must be booked by May 11, 2023, to be guaranteed the group rate.
Book your group rate for Science Congress @ The MOST!
Questions? Please email eventcoordinator@most.org.