The American Rocketry Challenge
The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems.
The World's Largest Student Rocket Contest
Registration for the 2021 American Rocketry Challenge is now closed. Learn how your team can compete in this exciting STEM competition next year!
Learn more about the American Rocketry ChallengeCompetition Updates
2021 Competition Changes and Updates
The safety of the American Rocketry Challenge community is our top priority. To protect our teams, teachers, mentors, and their families during the COVID-19 crisis, while still building the next generation of STEM leaders, we are making three key changes to the 2021 National Finals:
- TIMING: The National Finals will now take place in mid-late June 2021. This extra time will provide teams with more opportunities to build and launch their rockets. This also means that the revised deadline for qualification flights is now May 17, 2021.
- LOCATION: The 2021 National Finals will occur at ten or more regional launch sites in order to limit the number of people that gather at any one site and to minimize team travel requirements. Regional launch sites will be selected based on the location of this year’s finalists.
- PRIZES: We are reviewing our prize structure for the 2021 contest, given the cancellation of the Paris Air Show. Standby for another update unveiling new categories and cash prizes in the coming weeks.
Review the 2021 Competition Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the 2021 National Finals and virtual competition? We have answers. Review our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the updates to the 2021 competition.
Thank You To Our Sponsors & Partners
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
Our Social Media
Ah yes, the American Rocketry Challenge. The world's largest (and fanciest!) student rocket contest.🧐
Learn about all the fancy competition updates to make #TARC2021 happen here: https://t.co/smMf19YFku https://t.co/ycJdQDEUlv
Thank you to everyone who joined our Q&A webinar! We'll post a recording on YouTube in the coming days.
If you have any more questions about the changes to #TARC2021, please email rocketcontest @aia-aerospace.org or visit our FAQ page: https://t.co/dihkJm3rew 🚀 https://t.co/N68hVezFp7
Our live Q&A session with Program Manager Jeremy and @NARRockets #TARC2021 Manager Trip Barber is about to kick off! Click here to join: https://t.co/jVWe2Tf4mb
You've got questions, we've got answers! Join us tonight at 7PM ET for a live Q&A webinar on the updates to #TARC2021 with Program Manager Jeremy and @NARrockets Trip Barber. Click here to join the meeting at 7PM: https://t.co/pJOS6T9RPl https://t.co/w4x7oSPx1U
#ICYMI: We announced some big changes to #TARC2021 that prioritize the health and safety of the entire rocket contest community. Check it out: https://t.co/Usl6qlDv2P https://t.co/IKDwZZXHZN
❗️ IMPORTANT #TARC2021 UPDATES: The 2021 National Finals and Virtual Competitions are on, but we're making some key updates and changes. Get the facts: https://t.co/syXzuAEE9d https://t.co/qp22h8YGuR
Get In Touch
Don’t see the answer to your question? Want to learn more? Get in touch and someone from our team with reach out to you shortly.
Contact Us