Top 7 Engineering Contests for High School Students

Every aircraft propeller operates on the same physics that students explore in STEM classrooms. Each blade acts as a rotating wing, accelerating air backward to generate forward thrust — a direct application of Newton’s Third Law. The airfoil design and blade angle determine how efficiently that energy becomes motion, influencing everything from takeoff performance to fuel efficiency. NASA’s Propeller Design Challenge introduces these same aerodynamic principles through hands-on learning — inspiring future engineers who will shape tomorrow’s aircraft technology. 👉 https://ed.gr/ehjiy — Aviation Propellers proudly supports STEM education and the science that keeps aviation moving forward. #NationalSTEMDay #AvProps #STEM #PhysicsOfFlight #AviationEngineering #PropellerScience

Harrisburg University’s Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics program has been awarded a $34,500 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation, marking the fourth consecutive grant since 2022. The funding, presented by representatives from Phillips Corporation, will support student scholarships and experiential learning opportunities, including competition teams like HU’s award-winning NASA Lunabotics team. Thank you to the Gene Haas Foundation for your ongoing support of HU students and our mission to advance innovation and workforce development in Pennsylvania and beyond. 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/etGqjrds

🚀 Pushing the boundaries of deployable structures — from space habitats to real-world impact We’re excited to highlight recent work by Professor Jeffrey Lipton, a core faculty member of the Institute for Experiential Robotics (IER) and mechanical & industrial engineering professor at Northeastern. Jeffrey and his collaborators have developed a new class of high-expansion-ratio deployable structures (HERDS) — lightweight systems that fold compactly for launch and can expand to enormous lengths in space. Their potential? Enabling artificial-gravity space habitats that help astronauts maintain muscle mass on long-duration missions. Earlier this year, the team tested the system in microgravity aboard a parabolic flight, validating both the hardware and the software models needed to simulate these complex mechanisms. Beyond space exploration, the same geometric principles could inform deployable systems here on Earth — from emergency stretchers to temporary communications towers. It’s inspiring to see IER faculty advancing research that blends robotics, materials, and real-world applications across extreme environments. 🔗 Read the full NGN story: https://lnkd.in/e8KNFqfF #IER #RoboticsResearch #DeployableStructures #SpaceTech #NortheasternUniversity #EngineeringInnovation #ArtificialGravity

Helping Robots Work Together to Explore the Moon and Mars Penn Engineers joined NASA and five partner universities at White Sands National Park to test robotic systems for lunar and Martian exploration. The TRUSSES project, .led by Cynthia Sung, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, demonstrated how cooperative robots can connect and assist one another to traverse extreme terrain. https://lnkd.in/djMFVqgx

🚀 Exploring the Science Behind the Stars..... Excited to share that my friend Saayan Dash and I attended the Rocket Science and Engineering Workshop organized by the India Space Academy (Department of Space Education, ISW) on 11th October 2025. This workshop was a remarkable experience that fueled my passion for aerospace, mechatronics, and innovation. Here are some of my key learnings and takeaways: ✅ Fundamentals of Rocket Propulsion – Understanding the working principles of solid, liquid, and hybrid rocket engines. ✅ Aerodynamics & Flight Stability – Learning how design and balance affect rocket trajectory and control. ✅ Stage Separation & Payload Systems – Insights into multi-stage rockets and satellite deployment mechanisms. ✅ Mission Design & Launch Calculations – Basics of orbit planning, thrust-to-weight ratio, and delta-V computations. ✅ Team Collaboration & Innovation Thinking – Working with peers to design conceptual rocket models. ✅ Future of Indian Space Research – Discussed emerging opportunities in ISRO, private space tech, and academic research. Being part of this workshop strengthened my passion for space research, mechatronics, and innovation, motivating me to contribute toward the next era of India’s space exploration. Grateful to India Space Academy for this opportunity to learn, explore, and dream beyond limits.

Dr. Xin Liu, Assistant Professor in UTA’s MAE Department and researcher with UTARI’s Institute for Predictive Performance Methodologies (IPPM), has received a $750,000 NASA grant to develop additively manufactured metamaterials that enhance Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) safety. The project will pioneer energy-absorbing lattice materials and foster student training and regional collaboration to advance next generation AAM technologies. To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/eyMaiiDS

At Cranfield, student engineers don’t just study space. They build it. CranSEDS is one of Cranfield University student societies for the Exploration and Development of Space. It is a regional branch of UKSEDS - UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. Yesterday, CranSEDS hosted a Welcome Event. I am engaged at this society as a sponsorship manager together with Víctor Vallès Huerta. Other committee members lead on outreach, finance, social media and, most importantly, project management for airspace and space engineering projects. These include: – High-powered rocket design for EuRoC and Mach competitions – Hybrid and liquid propulsion development – Autonomous Mars-style rovers – Solar-powered UAVs – Satellite design for CubeSat and RPO missions Each team works to structured development cycles — PDR, CDR, FRR — and engages in systems engineering, avionics, payload design, and propulsion. These projects are student-led and technically rigorous, aligned with industry standards and timelines. For sponsors and industrial partners, they offer clear visibility into emerging talent, technical depth, and collaborative R&D opportunities. If you or your organisation are interested in supporting CranSEDS or exploring partnership opportunities, feel free to get in touch.

Last week, USC Information Sciences Institute Institute hosted a conversation about the future of Astrobee, an autonomous robotic platform that supports research and tech development in microgravity. Now, Arkisys, founded by USC’s David A Barnhart, has been selected to maintain and operate Astrobee commercially. The plan includes expanded access for researchers, international space agencies, and commercial users via the ISS National Lab and NASA Ames Research Center. Experiments already underway include real-time computer vision, cooperative docking systems, and student-written code through MIT’s Zero Robotics. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/et_ySgYx #Astrobee #SpaceRobotics #ISS #TechWeek #SpaceInnovation

Space exploration The new frontier with KBR. In January 2024, KBR and a team from NASA Ames Research Center designed and built a robot system that can autonomously build structures using specially designed lattice blocks. The robot could be used to autonomously build shelters for astronauts before they land on various planets. https://lnkd.in/eSp9kgh3 “KBR was created in 1998 when M.W. Kellogg merged with Halliburton's construction subsidiary, Brown & Root, to form Kellogg Brown & Root. In 2006, the company separated from Halliburton and completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.” https://lnkd.in/egbtBVag.

Learn how JuliaHub's comprehensive Dyad platform addresses every stage of the engineering lifecycle, from model development and AI-enhanced refinement to regulatory-compliant deployment, while maintaining the safety and reliability standards essential for critical applications. Download this comprehensive 26-page analysis to understand how Software-Defined Machines will reshape industrial engineering and discover why leading organizations like NASA, Williams Racing, and Fortune 500 manufacturers are already making the transition. Find it here: https://lnkd.in/gcjnnQcJ JuliaHub #AI #ML #MechanicalEngineering #ProductDevelopment #SoftwareDefinedMachines