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American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) 2026
Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/arc

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American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) (Nov 2025 – May 2026)


Course Description

The American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) is the world’s largest student rocketry competition, designed to inspire students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on aerospace design. This STEM club will guide students step-by-step through the process of designing, building, and flying rockets that meet ARC’s national competition requirements.


Throughout the year, students will:

  • Learn the fundamentals of rocketry and flight.
  • Use simulation software to design rockets that meet altitude and duration goals.
  • Build and test rockets that can safely carry a fragile payload (an egg).
  • Perform trial launches and official qualification flights.
  • Potentially compete at the ARC National Finals in Virginia (May 2026).

Thank you to IPG Photonics for sponsoring the 2025-2026 Sci-Tech Rocketeers' ARC Team so that students could have handsome uniform shirts and be able to travel to Virginia and Washington DC for the National Finals on May 16, 2026.


The American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) is a national competition where middle and high school students design, build, and launch model rockets.


In April 2026 the Rocketeers were chosen as one of only 100 teams nationwide to advance to the finals, and the only one from Massachusetts.

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Students must maintain a NEST membership during the program in order to take the workshop for a one-time lab fee of $50. 

Who Can Join

  • Open to students in grades 6–12.
  • Students must contribute actively to design, building, and flight activities.

Sign-Up Information

  • Sign-ups open in October during our info sessions. New 2027 info coming soon.
  • Interested students must attend at least one info session before committing.
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2025-26 INFO-SESSIONS

You must attend one of these sessions for a CIS overview (allow 30 minutes):

Sat, Oct 25, 10:00 AM, sign up here
Sat, Nov 1, 10:00 AM, sign up here
Sat, Nov 8, 10:00 AM, sign up here

American Rocketry Challenge:
Register here

ALSO: Student Permissions Form

2025-26 SUNDAY MEETINGS, 10:30-11:30 am

Nov 16 – Meeting #1, Phase 1: Team Setup & Registration.
Nov 23 – Meeting #2, Phase 1: Rocketry Fundamentals & Mission [Register Team by Dec 6]
Nov 30 – no meeting, Thanksgiving break
Dec 7 – Meeting #3, Phase 1: Rocketry Fundamentals & Mission
Dec 14 – Meeting #4, Phase 1: Brainstorm: initial ideas for protecting the egg
Dec 21 – Meeting #5, Phase 2: Learn OpenRocket/RockSim
Dec 28 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Jan 4 – Meeting #6, Phase 2: Explore motor choices and parachute sizes
Jan 11 – Meeting #7, Phase 2: Simulate candidate designs
Jan 18 – no meeting, Winter break
Jan 25 – Meeting #8, Phase 2: Finalize design and order materials 
Feb 1 – Meeting #9, Phase 3: Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Feb 8 – Meeting #10, Phase 3: Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Feb 15 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]
 Feb 22 – no meeting, School vacation week [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Mar 1 – Meeting #11, Phase 3: stability swing test, parachute deployment, altimeter setup 
Mar 8 – Meeting #12, Phase 3: Final work on rocket. 
Mar 15 – Meeting #13, Phase 4: Qualification flights (2–3 attempts with NAR observer)
Mar 22 – Meeting #14, Phase 4: Qualification flights (2–3 attempts with NAR observer)
Mar 29 – Meeting #15, Phase 4: Submit 2 best scores by March 30, 2026 
Apr 5 – Meeting #16, Phase 5: Nationals Prep.

Apr 12 – Meeting #17, Phase 5: Nationals Prep. 
Apr 19 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Apr 26 – no meeting, School vacation week
May 3 – Meeting #18, Phase 5: Nationals Prep.
May 10 – Meeting #19, Phase 5: Nationals Prep.
May 17 – Meeting #20, Finals:  May 16 (backup May 17) in Virginia.

May 24 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]
May 31 – Optional, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 7 – Optional, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 14 – Optional, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 21 – to July 26 – No meetings
Aug 2 – Optional, Prep for HamXposition.
Aug 9 – Optional, Prep for HamXposition.
Aug 15 – Northeast HamXposition, Youth Day. Presentations for American Rocketry Challenge

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April 2026 - New England Sci-Tech is proud to announce that its student rocketry team, the New England Sci-Tech Rocketeers, has been selected to compete in the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals, the nation’s largest middle and high school rocketry competition.


Out of 1,107 teams representing 44 states, Washington, DC, and the Northern Mariana Islands, the New England Sci-Tech Rocketeers were chosen as one of only 100 teams nationwide to advance to the finals. The selection was based on the team’s outstanding performance during qualifying flight missions. Notably, the Rocketeers are the only team from Massachusetts to earn an invitation to this year’s National Finals.


In addition to this achievement, the team has also been selected to participate in “Rockets on the Hill,” a prestigious event in Washington, DC, where students present their rocket designs and engineering work to Members of Congress. Scheduled for the morning of May 15, this event provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their technical skills, advocate for STEM education, and represent both New England Sci-Tech and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on a national stage.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These dates are subject to change based on changes in the rocket launch schedule or project submission deadlines. On alternate and holiday weekend dates when the workshop does not meet, students are welcome to attend other clubs, such as rocketry, robotics, or battlin' bots, or to continue working on the rocket challenge.

 

Because of traffic conditions and for your convenience, you are welcome to drop off and pick up for up to 30 minutes on each side of class time. Members may stay through the day during member open time.

 

If a class cannot meet in person because of severe weather, we may switch to online classes via Zoom.

 

*NOTE: Students must be a current member of New England Sci-Tech as a "Teen" or "Family" membership level. Having a club membership alone (radio or rocketry club) or supporting membership does not qualify a student for general NEST activities and programs like this.  Membership must run from at least November through April for class participation.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.


In addition to registering for this workshop, please fill out the Workshop Student Permissions Form.

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The Sci-Tech Rocketeers iron-on patch is available free to all participants in rocketry club workshops, launches, and activities.

According to the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge Rules, teams must meet these specific flight parameters:
  • Payload: Carry one raw Grade A Large egg (55–63 grams) that must remain uncracked after the flight.
  • Altitude Goal: Reach an altitude of exactly 750 feet.
  • Flight Duration: Total flight time must be between 36 and 39 seconds.
  • Recovery: The rocket must return to Earth safely with all parts tethered together and recover using a parachute.
  • Rocket Dimensions: The rocket must be at least 650 mm (25.6 inches) long with a constant body tube diameter of at least 47 mm (1.85 inches) from nose to tail.
  • Maximum Weight: Gross liftoff weight, including motors, must not exceed 650 grams (22.9 ounces).
  • Student-Built: All design and construction, including any custom 3D-printed parts, must be performed solely by the student team members.
Eligibility & Age Requirements
  • Student Grade Level: Participants must be students currently enrolled in grades 6 through 12 at a U.S. school or an eligible non-profit youth organization (e.g., Scouts, 4-H, Civil Air Patrol).
  • Team Size: Teams must consist of 3 to 10 students.
  • Adult Supervision: Each team must be supervised by an adult approved by the school principal or organization leader.
16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA
508-720-4179