NASA is inviting middle school students to take part in a design challenge focused on how new fuels could change the future of air travel. The challenge centers around adding liquefied natural gas (LNG) into current aviation systems and how that would affect both aircraft and airport infrastructure. This year’s Dream with Us Design Challenge is open to students in grades six through eight, with a specific task for middle school teams. Teams are asked to either redesign an existing airport or build one from scratch that can handle both LNG and traditional aviation fuel.
The theme of the 2026-2027 competition is “Fueling Flight Design Challenge: New Energy Systems.” The competition is part of a larger effort by NASA and its partners at the Federal Aviation Administration, universities and the aviation industry to improve safety, make flight more affordable and explore new fuel options. The challenge is designed to help students think about how new technologies and materials are changing the way planes fly and how airports operate, according to a report from NASA. Participants will need to consider not just aircraft design but also how airport layouts might change with new fuel types.
The submission period for middle school teams begins on September 25, 2026, and ends January 22, 2027, at 11:59 pm ET. Students must work in teams of two to four members and submit their entries through NASA’s STEM Gateway. Team registration requires an account created by someone over age 13, and an adult team sponsor may create the registration on the team’s behalf.
Teams are not allowed to use artificial intelligence tools in creating their submissions. All work must be completed by the students themselves without AI assistance or input.
The challenge is part of a broader initiative that includes high school teams working on similar aviation topics. This year’s competition emphasizes how new fuel sources could influence not only aircraft but also the way airports are built and managed.
The goal of the challenge is to get young people excited about science and engineering while addressing real-world problems in aviation. Students will need to consider parts of an airport including control towers, hangars, fuel locations, terminals, passenger parking and runways.
The middle school challenge is open to students in grades six through eight attending public, private, parochial and home schools in the United States. Children of U.S. military members stationed overseas are also eligible. The challenge opens on September 25, 2026, and teams must submit their projects by January 22, 2027.
The challenge is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to engage students in science and technology through hands-on learning experiences. Entries will be judged by industry experts based on impact, practicality, originality and how well the team’s idea is communicated.
Dream with Us is an annual NASA Aeronautics challenge that gives students an opportunity to develop ideas about the future of aviation. This year’s middle school challenge is just one part of a larger educational effort to prepare the next generation of innovators.
Each middle school submission must contain both technical and creative components. Winners will first be announced during a virtual awards reception, with the date still to be announced, and will later be posted on social media and the Dream with Us website. Students who take part in the challenge will gain valuable experience in problem-solving and design thinking.
The competition is supported by NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), universities, and aviation industry partners. By focusing on real-world issues like fuel alternatives, the challenge helps students see how science connects to everyday life.
NASA is providing teams with research resources about LNG and other aviation topics so they can examine how the fuel might be used and what changes airports would need. This challenge gives students a chance to imagine the future of air travel and contribute ideas that could shape how planes fly in years to come.
The Dream with Us program introduces students to different aviation problems through changing challenge topics. Students who take part in this challenge are not only learning about science but also gaining insight into how innovation works in the real world.