GRAND PRIZE

A big trophy, $20,000 for your team, $1,000 for your school, and the chance to represent the United States on the international stage.

The winning team receives an all-expense paid trip to represent the United States in the International Rocketry Challenge, hosted at the Farnborough International Air Show in 2020. At the IRC, you have the chance to take on the United Kingdom, Japan and France.

Cash Prizes

2^nd Place : $15,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

3^rd Place: $12,500.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

4^th Place: $10,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

5^th Place: $7,500.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

6^th Place: $5,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

7^th Place: $5,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

8^th Place: $5,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

9^th Place: $5,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

10^th Place: $5,000.00 for the team, $1,000.00 for the school

The top 25 teams each year receive an invitation to participate in NASA’s Student Launch Initiative to continue their exploration of rocketry with high-powered rockets and challenging mission parameters.

Special Awards

AIA Marketing Competition Award: $1,000

The team that creates the best video based on Strength of Message, Creativity, and Editing and Technical Skills will win a guaranteed spot in the finals, $1,000, and more. All entries will be scored based on our rubric by at least three members of the American Rocketry Challenge team. The top ten entries will be sent to a panel of five judges from our partners and sponsors.

AIA/NAR Engineering Notebook Award: $500

AIA and the NAR encourage all teams to practice their engineering fundamentals and documents their design cycle and testing for The American Rocketry Challenge. Every team is eligible to submit an engineering notebook and win this prize, regardless of whether they are selected as a national finalist. To learn more about the Engineering Notebook Competition, click here.

AIA/NAR Best Dressed Team: $500

Teams are encouraged to attend the National Finals in costume, either having fun or celebrating their hometown. Teams are judged based on photos taken at the official contest photobooth at the National Finals.

Boeing Spirit Award: $500

Lockheed Martin Best Rocket Craftsmanship: $500

Raytheon Most Innovative Approach to the Mission: $500

Presentation Competition – Sponsored by AIA/NAR

1^st Place: $500

2^nd Place: $300

3^rd Place: $200