American Rocketry Challenge
The American Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket competition, has engaged over 100,000 middle and high school students in model rocketry. The challenge provides a yearlong opportunity to gain hands-on engineering experience by designing, building, testing, and launching model rockets to meet rigorous requirements. The program fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as students deepen their interest and passion for aerospace and STEM.
American Rocketry Challenge Announces 2026 National Finalists After Another Record‑Breaking Season
Arlington, Va. – The Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) today announced the top 100 teams that have placed in the 2026 National Finals. Among 1,107 teams registered nationwide, these groups of students from all over the United States ranked as the top performers for altitude and flight duration.
“The American Rocketry Challenge launches not just rockets, but also the careers of the next generation of aerospace innovators,” said Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO. “Our 100 national finalists have spent the year applying creativity, precision, and teamwork to one of the most demanding STEM competitions in the country. On May 16, we’ll see their hard work take flight as they compete for the title of National Champion.”
American Rocketry Challenge Expands Access to Hands-on Learning with Northrop Grumman Foundation STEM Innovation Grants
The Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) announced that 23 teams from Title I schools in 14 states will receive Northrop Grumman Foundation STEM Innovation Grants, opening the door for hundreds of students to experience science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a transformative, hands‑on way.
“STEM education comes alive when students have the opportunity to design, build, and launch something real,” said Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO. “Through our partnership with the Northrop Grumman Foundation, these grants help ensure that students with limited access to STEM resources have the chance to discover their potential in aerospace and engineering. We can’t wait to see what these new teams create.”
ARC Sets New Record as 1,107 Teams Register for 2026 Competition
The Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) American Rocketry Challenge (ARC), the world’s largest student rocketry competition, announced today that 1,107 teams have registered for the 2026 competition, breaking last year’s record of 1,001 teams.
“The record‑breaking registration for this year’s American Rocketry Challenge shows just how powerful this program is in giving students real, hands-on experience in STEM and connecting them to a future career in these fields,” said Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO. “For more than 20 years, the competition has helped students see themselves as future aerospace leaders — and this surge of interest signals not only a bright future for these students and this competition, but for our country and the entire STEM industry.”
This year’s competition will bring together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country. With 1,107 teams representing schools across the nation, ARC continues to expand its reach and strengthen the pipeline of future engineers, scientists, and innovators. The top 100 finalists will be announced in April and will compete for the title of National Champion at the 2026 Finals in May at Great Meadow Foundation in The Plains, Virginia.
Partnerships
Club for the Future and ARC
Through this partnership, ARC teams participate in Club for the Future’s Postcards to Space initiative by designing co-branded postcards that will launch aboard future missions. This hands-on experience encourages students to imagine the future, share their ideas, and see those ideas travel to space and back, inspiring the next generation of explorers and innovators.
Learn MoreChallenger Center and ARC
Challenger Center and ARC announced a new partnership designed to spark curiosity, build skills, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, engineers, and explorers. Through this partnership, select ARC student teams will gain access to Challenger Center’s Virtual Missions — interactive, team-based space simulations that immerse students in solving real-world aerospace challenges as scientists and engineers.
Learn MoreFFA and ARC
The National FFA Organization’s partnership with the American Rocketry Challenge will broaden the competition, expanding FFA members’ awareness and interest in aerospace and STEM. By partnering with FFA, the program will reach even more students, including those with agricultural backgrounds, and introduce them to the exciting possibilities of aerospace and STEM careers.
Learn More2026 Team Resources
2026 Rocketry Starter Kit
New to rocketry or looking to refresh your member and get the 2026 rocket parameters? Get all the details for the 2026 competition including this year’s challenge, scoring, suggested schedule of activities, rocketry vocabulary, and a sample letter for potential team sponsors.
2026 Rocketry Starter KitFriend of the Team Program
The “Friend of the Team” Program connects American Rocketry Challenge teams with adult supporters who can provide additional expertise to support their work. This may include rocketry expertise, advice on fundraising, assistance raising the profile of the team in the community, leadership development, or any other area where the team needs additional help. Adult Team Advisors: sign up now to express interest in being matched!
Express Interest Now!Virtual Events
These sessions give teams, educators, and Adult Team Advisors direct access to our staff and notable speakers. Whether you need assistance with your application, have questions about rules, need advice on team management, or want to dive deeper into rocketry topics, we’re here to help connect you with the right resource. You can attend Launchpad LIVE, Office Hours, Rocketry Trainings, and other events!
Mark your calendars and join us to take your ARC journey to the next level.
See All Events
Boy Scouts Troop 74 Soars to a First-Place Victory at International Rocketry Challenge
The “Troop 74 Rocketeers” won the opportunity to represent the United States by securing the title of National Champion at the 23rd annual American Rocketry Challenge National Finals in May. The team bested a record-breaking 1,001 middle and high school teams who participated in the design, build, and launch competition.
New Jersey Team Named National Champion in World’s Largest Rocketry Challenge
Boy Scouts Troop 74, whose team name is “The Troop 74 Rocketeers,” outperformed a record-breaking 1,001 teams that entered the competition at the start of the year and bested the top 100 teams competing at National Finals on Saturday. This is the team’s first time qualifying for National Finals. Their precision in designing, building, and launching a model rocket was unmatched by any other team in the country.
2025 Results
2025 Finalists Announced: Top 100 Teams Ready for Launch in the World’s Largest Student Rocketry Competition
To qualify for the National Finals, participating teams designed, built, and launched model rockets that safely carry two raw eggs to an altitude of 790 feet, stay airborne for between 41 and 44 seconds, and return the rocket to the ground safely. The requirements for the National Finals will be modified to introduce a new challenge to the teams. Competition finalists will compete for $100,000 in prizes and the prestigious title of National Champion. The winning team will then represent the United States and compete at the International Rocketry Challenge in June at the Paris Air Show.
See the press release here.
2025 FinalistsBoosting Rocketry Dreams: 14 Student Teams Awarded STEM Innovation Grants for World’s Largest Youth Rocketry Competiton
The Aerospace Industries Association’s American Rocketry Challenge awarded 14 STEM Innovation grants to Title I schools in 11 states and the District of Columbia. These grants further underscore the association’s commitment to empowering students in STEM. Click below to read more!
Read more here!See the 1,001 Teams for the 2025 Challenge!
The 2025 competition features 1,001 teams from 46 states and Washington, DC. Click below to see the full team list and a map of this year’s competitors.
See the 2025 Participating Teams!
American Rocketry Challenge Teams Up with the United States Space Force to Propel STEM Education to New Heights
The American Rocketry Challenge and USSF unite in a shared mission to ignite a passion for STEM among American middle and high school students. By engaging with ARC students, the USSF cultivates top-tier talent, inspiring future leaders who may one day serve and propel advancements in space technology.
ARC Alum Travels to International Space Station
On March 2, 2023, American Rocketry Challenge alum Warren “Woody” Hoburg launched to the International Space Station as the mission pilot for a six-month mission as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6. Woody participated in the first-ever American Rocketry Challenge in 2003, then known as the Team America Rocketry Challenge, as a North Allegheny High School (Pennsylvania) team member, alongside his brother.
Attend National Finals
National Finals will take place on May 16th, 2026 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. Student teams who have designed, built, and launched their rockets into the Top 100, will compete for the title of National Champion. More information will be posted here in the Spring 2026.
The World's Largest Student Rocket Competition
Compete against hundreds of teams nationally for the chance to win $100,000 in awards and an all-expenses paid trip to the Farnborough, England Airshow.
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The American Rocketry Challenge allows me to engage and participate in a nationwide competition while learning and having fun with people that have similar likes and talents.
Kyra Wagner, Team Captain
Webster City, IA
The American Rocketry Challenge provides me the opportunity to give my students an endeavor that fosters curiosity, imagination, and scientific skills in the firmest spirit of collaborative enterprise.
Greg Severino, Teacher
Philadelphia, PA
TARC introduces students to the realities of the real world engineering pursuits, teaching them to attack not just the solvable problems but also face and learn how to mitigate the factors that they do not have control over.
Pavel Pinkas, Mentor
Madison, WI
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