Homeschooled and STEM Curious?
One Day. A Real Space Mission.
Our Space Design Challenges are open to any student, nation-wide. Participants join a team of peers and design a futuristic Martian habitat, then defend the design against industry peers.
At a glance
Grades 7–12
One or Two Day Events
Cost varies by event
Where we run
Nine locations across nine states — six running now, three in planning. Reserve a spot and we will point you to the one nearest you.
- UNLV, Las Vegas, NV — Space Design, running now
- Innovation Gateway, MSU Mankato, Mankato, MN — Environmental Design, running now
- Brook T Smith Launchpad @ Clemson University, Clemson, SC — Space Design, running now
- Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Ashland, NE — Space Design, running now
- CSU Spur, Denver, CO — Environmental Design, running now
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD — Space Design, running now
- Iowa State University, Ames, IA — Space Design, in planning
- St Mary's School, Raleigh, NC — Space Design, in planning
- Baylor University, Waco, TX — Space Design, in planning
- Denver · CSU Spur
- Ames · Iowa State University · in planning
- Mankato · Innovation Gateway, MSU Mankato
- Raleigh · St Mary's School · in planning
- Ashland · Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
- Las Vegas · UNLV
- Clemson · Brook T Smith Launchpad @ Clemson University
- Brookings · South Dakota State University
- Waco · Baylor University · in planning
Why design competitions
No school, no team, no experience needed
Students arrive on their own and leave with a network of peers, mentors and a design they defended in front of working engineers.
No School Team Required
Participants are formed into ‘companies’, a great way for students to meet new people, build their network, and develop soft skills.
Industry Mentoring + Judging
Professionals — from college and local businesses — volunteer to mentor across the weekend, and then act as judges. Careers start here.
Real students, real competitions
Scenes from past Stellr design challenges.
Credit: © Stellr Education
© Stellr Education
What participants and judges say
Space design competition
Reserve a spot
Tell us who you are and how many students you are inquiring for. We will send follow up information, and schedule a call to answer your questions.
- Preferential registration for your student/s
- A short call to answer your questions
- Scholarship eligibility and how to apply
Questions
Before you ask us
Does my student need a team to enter?
No. Participants are formed into ‘companies’ on arrival, which is how most students meet the peers they stay in touch with afterwards. We will always welcome individual students attending our events.
Who is eligible?
Any student in grades 7–12, including homeschooled students and students in co-ops. Some events start at grade 9, so check the event page for yours. No school affiliation is needed.
Who mentors and judges?
Professionals from college and local businesses volunteer to mentor across the weekend, then act as judges for the final design defense.
What does it cost?
Registration is set per event and is all inclusive. Scholarships are available at every event.
Can parents attend?
Parents are welcome for the opening briefing and the final design defense. Students work with their company for the rest of the weekend. If parents wish to stay for the duration of the event, we do our best to accommodate them.
Where are competitions held?
Nine locations across nine states, on university and museum campuses. Tell us where you are and we will point you to the nearest.
My student has never competed before. Is that a problem?
No. Most participants arrive without competition experience. You do not need to know any orbital mechanics to start — that is what the mentors are for.
What does my student actually come away with?
A lifelong network of similar students, and professional mentors. As well as the satisfaction of achieving against the technical challenges we set them.