Major STEM Enhancement Program Gets Delayed Due To COVID-19 Concerns

To ensure the health and safety of our rocketeers, mentors, teachers, and their families, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is officially postponing the 2020 American Rocketry Challenge competition and will roll over this year’s rules into the 2021 competition.

Last month, teams were directed to suspend all qualification flights and launches and follow the guidance of their schools, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and state and local health departments. Teams were notified of the competition’s postponement at the end of March.

All registered 2020 teams will be automatically registered to compete in the 2021 season. The 2021 season of the American Rocketry Challenge will use the same rules as the 2020 season. Teams wishing to withdraw and no longer compete next year may receive a refund of their registration fee.

To provide students with an impactful STEM experience throughout the summer, the American Rocketry Challenge is still awarding prizes for three additional competitions that can be completed remotely:

New this year, the Marketing Competition asks students to create a 30 to 120 second video to generate excitement about their team, the rocketry challenge, and aerospace and space exploration. The winning team will receive $2,000, a custom logo and poster designed by the same firm that created the competition’s logo, and custom-designed gear for each team member. Prizes of $1,000 and $500 will be awarded to second and third places winners, along with branded American Rocketry Challenge merchandise.

The Engineering Notebook Competition awards the team that skillfully crafts an engineering notebook documenting their design cycle for the American Rocketry Challenge. The winning team will receive $1,000.

The Presentation Competition has teams create presentations explaining the design and strategy behind their rocket to a panel of rocketry experts and engineers. The first place team will receive $2,000, while the second and third place teams will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively. In addition, there will be a separate $1,000 prize for Best Newcomer, given to the best rookie team with first-time teachers and students.

FMI: https://www.aia-aerospace.org