Arlington, Va. – Today, 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.

“We are proud to offer STEM Innovation Grants to under-resourced schools, opening doors for students to explore the wonders of aerospace through the American Rocketry Challenge,” said American Rocketry Challenge & STEM Engagement Senior Director Jessica Pedersen. “By providing these opportunities, we are fostering a love for science and engineering that will propel these young minds toward a brighter future. Together, we are igniting passion and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.”

American Rocketry Challenge STEM Innovation grants are designed for teams from Title I schools who are interested in competing in the American Rocketry Challenge for the first time. Grantees receive additional mentorship, $2,000 in grant support, and a registration fee waiver.

Now in its 23rd year, the American Rocketry Challenge continues to be the largest rocket competition in the world, inspiring over 100,000 middle and high school students to pursue education and careers in STEM fields. Participants gain hands-on engineering experience as they design, build, and launch model rockets, all while adhering to strict criteria. The program has launched countless careers in A&D and STEM, with alumni engineering the vehicles that will take us back to the moon and, one day, to Mars. Notably, NASA Astronaut Warren “Woody” Hoburg, who participated in the very first American Rocketry Challenge in 2003, traveled to the International Space Station in 2023.

This year’s competition features more than 5,500 middle and high school students from a record-breaking 1,001 teams across 46 states and the District of Columbia. The 100 finalists will compete on May 17 for the title of National Champion at Great Meadow Foundation in The Plains, Virginia.

###