The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest rocket contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). It was created in the fall of 2002 as a one-time celebration recognizing the Centennial of Flight, but the enthusiasm about the event was so great that AIA and NAR were asked to hold the contest annually.

Over 5,000 students from across the nation compete in TARC each year. Teams design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches a specific altitude and duration determined by a set of rules developed each year. The contest is designed to encourage students to study math and science and pursue careers in aerospace.

The top 100 teams, based on local qualification flights, are invited to Washington, DC in May for the national Finals. Prizes include $100,000 in cash and scholarships split among the top ten finishers plus $5000 in prizes for special events, all sponsored by AIA member companies. In addition, Raytheon sponsors a trip for the winning team to one of the major European air shows to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge.

The rules vary slightly each year to provide a new challenge to competitors. The 2020 rules require teams to design, build, and launch a model rocket that carries one raw egg to an altitude of 800 feet, stays airborne for 40 - 43 seconds, and return the rocket to the ground safely with the egg intact.

The contest’s rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design. See the contest website for exact scoring criteria for each year.

Website: http://rocketcontest.org

Managing Organization: Aerospace Industries Association

Contact:
Jeremy Davis
RocketContest@aia-aerospace.org
703-358-1000

Eligibility:
Teams are made up of three to 10 students between 6th and 12th grade, a supervisor, and an official Rocketry Challenge mentor. The application for a team must come from a single school or a single U.S. incorporated non-profit youth or educational organization (excluding the National Association of Rocketry, Tripoli Rocketry Association, or any of their local chapters or any other incorporated rocket organization). There is no limit to the number of teams that may be entered from any single school or organization, but no more than two teams containing students who attend the same school or who are members of the same organization, regardless of whether the teams are sponsored by that school or organization, can be invited to attend the Finals. Team members must be students who are currently enrolled in grades 6 through 12 in a U.S. school or homeschool. Participation in TARC generally requires a team to raise between $500 and $1000, not counting the costs for travel to the National Finals.

The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest rocket contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). It was created in the fall of 2002 as a one-time celebration recognizing the Centennial of Flight, but the enthusiasm about the event was so great that AIA and NAR were asked to hold the contest annually.

Over 5,000 students from across the nation compete in TARC each year. Teams design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches a specific altitude and duration determined by a set of rules developed each year. The contest is designed to encourage students to study math and science and pursue careers in aerospace.

The top 100 teams, based on local qualification flights, are invited to Washington, DC in May for the national Finals. Prizes include $100,000 in cash and scholarships split among the top ten finishers plus $5000 in prizes for special events, all sponsored by AIA member companies. In addition, Raytheon sponsors a trip for the winning team to one of the major European air shows to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge.

The rules vary slightly each year to provide a new challenge to competitors. The 2020 rules require teams to design, build, and launch a model rocket that carries one raw egg to an altitude of 800 feet, stays airborne for 40 - 43 seconds, and return the rocket to the ground safely with the egg intact.

The contest’s rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design. See the contest website for exact scoring criteria for each year.

Website: http://rocketcontest.org

Managing Organization: Aerospace Industries Association

Contact:
Jeremy Davis
RocketContest@aia-aerospace.org
703-358-1000

Entry Fee:

Eligibility:
Teams are made up of three to 10 students between 6th and 12th grade, a supervisor, and an official Rocketry Challenge mentor. The application for a team must come from a single school or a single U.S. incorporated non-profit youth or educational organization (excluding the National Association of Rocketry, Tripoli Rocketry Association, or any of their local chapters or any other incorporated rocket organization). There is no limit to the number of teams that may be entered from any single school or organization, but no more than two teams containing students who attend the same school or who are members of the same organization, regardless of whether the teams are sponsored by that school or organization, can be invited to attend the Finals. Team members must be students who are currently enrolled in grades 6 through 12 in a U.S. school or homeschool. Participation in TARC generally requires a team to raise between $500 and $1000, not counting the costs for travel to the National Finals.

Deadlines go here