NASA opens 2026-2027 middle school design challenge on new aircraft energy systems

NASA has announced the 2026-2027 Design, Weld, and Fly middle school design challenge, themed "Fueling Flight Design Challenge: New Energy Systems," according to the agency's aeronautics program materials.

The challenge invites middle school students to explore new energy systems for aircraft as the volume of aircraft operating within the United States' National Airspace System continues to grow. NASA, working alongside partners including the Federal Aviation Administration, universities, and companies across the aviation industry, has been researching ways to increase safety and efficiency as air traffic expands.

The program is designed to introduce younger students to core concepts in aeronautical engineering, encouraging them to think creatively about the energy systems that could power future generations of aircraft, including alternatives to traditional fuel sources.

Educational design challenges of this kind are a recurring part of NASA's outreach efforts, intended to build interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields among students at an early stage. Participating students and educators are typically provided with challenge materials and guidelines to structure their projects around the year's theme.

Further details on registration, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria for the 2026-2027 challenge were not fully outlined in the available announcement.