Student STEM Competitions

Welcome to the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s exciting STEM Competitions, where students are challenged to imagine, design, create, and innovate!

Our competitions bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to life through hands-on challenges that encourage creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

For additional information about our student competitions, call 516-572-4029. 

2026 - 2027 Competition
NEW Competition: Build Beyond: Invent Tomorrow Challenge - April 5, 2027

Imagine it. Design it. Build it. 

The Build Beyond: Invent Tomorrow Challenge invites young architects, engineers, designers, and visionaries to reimagine future communities. 

Students will test their creativity and STEM skills as they develop innovative ideas for sustainable cities of tomorrow. Through the competition, participants will explore how thoughtful design, emerging technologies, engineering, and environmental responsibility can work together to address real-world challenges and create better communities for future generations. 

More than a competition, Build Beyond gives students a chance to collaborate, solve problems, think beyond today's limitations, and turn their ideas into possibilities for tomorrow. 

Important Dates

Competition Date: April 5, 2027
Registration Opens: December 1, 2026
Registration Deadline: February 26, 2027
Team Plan Submission Deadline: February 26, 2027

Each registered team must submit all components of the competition plan electronically by February 26, 2027. The handbooks also specify that all parts of the Project Plan are due electronically by that date

The electronic submission link will go live in January 2027.

Competition Resources:

Please review the competition materials below before beginning your project.

Teacher Handbook
Student Handbook
Competition Rubrics
Student Planning Sheets

Are you ready to Build Beyond?

Join us at the Cradle of Aviation Museum and help invent the future!