A Fun Engineering Challenge for K-12 -- Win a $1,000 Prize for Your School! -- ENDS 3/17/25
9th Jan 2025
Submissions will be accepted from February 16 to March 17, 2025, but students can start planning, designing, building, and testing their rockets and rocket-catching devices now!
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The 2025 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge brings current space science engineering into the classroom and encourages students to think like rocket scientists.
Reusable rockets and vertical landing technologies are transforming space science! Inspired by the engineering feats of organizations like Blue Origin and SpaceX, this year's challenge gives students a classroom-accessible opportunity to solve a real engineering challenge.
The task is to design and build a device that can catch a rocket vertically.
The 11th-annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenge is free to enter and is designed to work well in a K-12 classroom or out-of-school setting.
The 2025 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge brings current space science engineering into the classroom and encourages students to think like rocket scientists.
Reusable rockets and vertical landing technologies are transforming space science! Inspired by the engineering feats of organizations like Blue Origin and SpaceX, this year's challenge gives students a classroom-accessible opportunity to solve a real engineering challenge.
The task is to design and build a device that can catch a rocket vertically.
The 11th-annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenge is free to enter and is designed to work well in a K-12 classroom or out-of-school setting.
Simple Materials & Easy to Plan
The Rocket Catcher Challenge uses simple, low-cost materials like paper, tape, and recycled cardboard tubes. Everyone participating uses the same materials. The focus is on creative STEM thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, not expensive supplies.
See the challenge information page for the complete list of allowable materials.
Supporting Resources: Lesson Plans & Student Guides
The following resources are available to help you prepare and implement this year's challenge:
- Overview video
- Lesson plan, grades K-5
- Lesson plan, grades 6-8
- Lesson plan, grades 9-12
- Independent student project
Lesson plans contain worksheets and additional materials for classroom use.
Win a $1,000 Prize for Your School!
The annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenge is about getting kids to try engineering and see themselves as engineers.
All qualified submissions will be entered in random drawings (regardless of score) for a chance to win one of ten $1,000 (USD) prizes for the student's school or nonprofit organization.*
Even the youngest students have a chance to win!
2025 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge
See the 2025 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge page for complete rules and prize eligibility.