AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS ROCKETRY CHALLENGE 2027
Build it. Test it. Launch it.
APPLY FOR A SCHOOL TEAM | DOWNLOAD THE CHALLENGE OVERVIEW | PARTNER WITH ASRC
The Australian Schools Rocketry Challenge (ASRC) is a new school rocketry program being developed by the South Australian Rocketry Club for its inaugural competition in 2027. Students learn rocketry, develop a rocket and scientific experiment, test and improve their design, and explain their decisions. Flight depends on the required technical and range-safety approvals. Students investigate, make decisions, learn from tests and explain the evidence behind their final design.
The Challenge at a glance
- Students: Years 7–12.
- Team size: approximately 4–6 students, supported by a school-approved teacher or adult.
- Inaugural capacity: up to 12 school teams, with one initial place per school.
- Location: Launch event planned for Blanchetown, South Australia.
- Launch event: 16–17 September 2027, Blanchetown.
- Learning: M1–M12 and embedded My Module Evidence due 7 May; short Teacher Orientation; ASRC marking and feedback.
- Project: Every team designs, builds and tests a rocket carrying its own scientific experiment.
- Reach: Primarily South Australian schools, with a limited number of interstate teams.
- Access: At least four of the initial 12 places reserved for regional, rural and remote schools; unused places go to other eligible schools.
Your mission
Design a rocket that can safely carry your team’s scientific experiment, prove your design through modelling and testing, build it, document the decisions you make, and prepare it for launch. Along the way, your team will need to think like an engineering team. How will you divide responsibilities? What data do you need before making a decision? How will your payload affect the rocket? What happens when a test does not work as expected? How do you show that the final rocket matches the design you intended to build? The Challenge brings physics, mathematics, electronics, data, materials, digital design, manufacturing and systems thinking together in one project.
How the Challenge works
- LEARN: Complete 12 learning modules specifically designed for this challenge to help you understand all about rockets. Students will learn about lots of different areas of STEM and the design thinking process.
- DESIGN: Develop a team rocket and scientific experiment.
- BUILD & INTEGRATE: Build, integrate and record the evidence.
- TEST & IMPROVE: Test and improve your designs.
- LAUNCH: Students will present their final rocket to industry partners, explain their ideas and launch their rocket into the sky.
For teachers: No prior rocketry experience required
You do not need to be a rocketry expert to support an ASRC team. You do not even need to be a specialist STEM teacher. Teachers complete short Teacher Orientation, organise school time and supervise practical work. ASRC will complete all marking and feedback to assist the students. Teachers will facilitate and supervise, while students own their learning, engineering decisions and project work.
What students will learn
Students can develop experience in:
- Aerodynamics, stability and flight simulation;
- Structures, materials and manufacturing;
- Electronics, sensors and data collection;
- Scientific experiment design;
- Testing, verification and evidence-based decision-making;
- Technical documentation and configuration control;
- Project planning, budgeting and teamwork;
- Communication, presentations and responding to review feedback;
- Problem-solving, creativity, resilience and iteration.
Designed for access
A school should not need an established rocketry program or a fully equipped engineering workshop to be considered for ASRC. At least four of the initial 12 places are reserved for regional, rural and remote schools. Tell us about travel, equipment, access or cost barriers in your application. Schools are encouraged to apply for a school team even if they are not yet sure how they would overcome a particular participation barrier.
The Launch Event
The planned event is 16–17 September 2027 at Blanchetown, South Australia. This is the only inperson aspect of the challenge, with all other parts of the challenge being able to be done at your school campus.
Apply for a school team
School applications are open for the inaugural ASRC.
Please understand that applying does not guarantee a place or require payment; successful schools receive an offer and acceptance conditions.
Apply by 30 November 2026. Outcomes are scheduled for 8 December.
Industry and community partners
ASRC is also seeking financial and in-kind partners who want to help more students access ambitious, practical STEM experiences. Partner support can contribute to rocket build packs, equipment access, electronics and sensors, fabrication, transport, event infrastructure, technical engagement and support for schools facing participation barriers. Partnerships are designed to connect students with real engineering, science, manufacturing and technical career pathways while protecting the independence of safety, school selection and judging decisions.
Contact: asrc.challenge@gmail.com
