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NASA techrise Student Competition

teams are forming at Pvnet
Grades 7-12

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IMPORTANT - READ BEFORE REGISTERING!

PVNet will be forming teams for suborbital flights!
(PVNet teams swept the recent aerospace debris reduction competition, winning 1st & 2nd place!)
 

​NASA IS CALLING ALL YOUNG INNOVATORS — GRADES 7-12
 

NASA invites students in grades 7 through 12 to design experiments that can fly suborbital spacecraft in the TechRise Student Challenge. If you’ve ever wanted to test science or engineering ideas in near-space or under microgravity, this is your chance.

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🌠 What is NASA TechRise?

A nationwide competition where student teams propose experiments to fly on NASA-sponsored commercial flight platforms:
• 🛰️ Suborbital spacecraft providing about 3 minutes of microgravity

Up to 60 winning teams will be selected. Each team receives:
• 💵 $1,500 to build their experiment
• 📦 A starter kit, including a “flight box”
• 🧑‍🏫 Technical mentorship and support

No prior experience is required — the challenge is designed to support beginners.

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🏫 Team Requirements & Eligibility

  • Each team must have at least four students plus one Team Lead (a teacher or school employee).

  • All student team members must attend the same U.S. public, private, or charter school (including U.S. territories).

  • Students must be in grades 7–12.

  • There is no maximum team size.

  • Homeschool students are not eligible, unless affiliated with an eligible school that carries liability insurance.

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📅 Key Dates

  • Challenge Opens: September 4, 2025

  • Virtual Student Field Trip: September 25, 2025

  • Proposal Submission Deadline: November 3, 2025 (11:59 PM PT)

  • Winners Announced & Experiment Build Begins: January 20, 2026

  • Experiment Build Period: January 20 – May 15, 2026

  • Experiments Due / Shipping Deadline: May 16, 2026

  • Virtual Winner Experiment Showcase: May 15, 2026

  • Flight of Experiments: Summer 2026

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🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Join the Competition

Join a PVNet Team

  • Minimum: 4 students + 1 teacher or school staff lead.

  • PVNet will help form and organize teams.

Learn the Rules

  • Read the official proposal template, educator guide, and technical requirements when registration opens.

Brainstorm Your Experiment

  • Design for a 🛰️ suborbital spacecraft.

  • Focus on a safe, testable, and data-driven experiment idea.

Write and Submit Your Proposal

  • Work with your team and PVNet mentors.

  • Submit online by November 3, 2025 at the official TechRise site.

If Selected as a Winner

  • Receive $1,500 and a NASA starter kit.

  • Build your payload with PVNet support between January–May 2026.

  • Ship or deliver the experiment to the designated location by the published deadline.

Watch It Fly

  • Selected experiments will launch on a NASA-sponsored flight in summer 2026.

  • Participation is virtual; observing a launch in person is optional.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Important Notes for Parents & Students

  • Cost: Free to participate. NASA provides funding and materials to winning teams.

  • Travel: Travel is not required for any competition phases. Observing a launch in person is optional.

  • Support: PVNet will guide team formation, proposal writing, and experiment building.

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🔬 What You’ll Gain

  • Experience designing and testing experiments for unique environments.

  • Hands-on skills in engineering, coding, and scientific methods.

  • Exposure to NASA’s process and real flight opportunities.

  • Teamwork, communication, and project management skills.

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🎯 Why You Should Join

  • Get a chance to see your experiment fly on a real NASA-sponsored flight.

  • Work with peers and mentors on a once-in-a-lifetime project.

  • Build standout experience for college and career pathways in STEM.

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🤝 PVNet’s Role

  • PVNet will support team formation, provide workspace and resources, and mentor students throughout the competition.

  • We’ll host info sessions and guide students through proposal development and experiment building.

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🌍 Conclusion

This is your chance to dream big, build real experiments, and see them fly into near space or microgravity. With PVNet and NASA’s support, you’ll gain experiences few students ever have — preparing you for future opportunities in science, technology, and beyond.

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Register Here

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Visit the NASA TechRise Student Challenge on NASA's Website.

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