A new season of Ukraine’s National Rocket Modeling Competition for school students is now underway. Young participants aged 15 and under from across the country will compete for a $2,600 prize fund by designing, building, and testing their own rocket models.
Participants create their rockets using accessible materials such as paper, foam, and wood before putting them to the test. The competition challenges students to achieve the longest flight time and greatest distance in horizontal flight.
Due to safety restrictions during martial law, the competition is being held remotely. Students conduct launches in their own communities, record the flights on video, and submit the footage to the judges for evaluation. Participation is free of charge.
“Even during wartime, it’s essential to keep young people engaged in engineering and technical creativity,” says Denys Khmil, General Secretary of the krainian Spacemodelling Sport Federation. “Rocket modeling gives students a chance to put their knowledge of physics and mathematics into practice — from designing a model to launching it. It’s an excellent STEM activity that develops engineering thinking, problem-solving skills, and technical creativity. These are exactly the skills that will shape Ukraine’s technological future. For many children, this competition is also the first step into rocket modeling as a sport, opening the door to European and World Championships.”
The competition features several model categories, including rubber-powered catapult gliders with parachutes, pneumatic rocket models, and an “Air Games” category designed especially for beginners taking their first steps in rocket modeling.
Winners and runners-up will receive cash prizes and gifts:
- 1st place: $250
- 2nd place: $150
- 3rd place: $100
- 4th and 5th place (Air Games category): $50 each
Students can participate individually or as part of a team. To enter, participants need to:
- build a model rocket;
- launch it and record the flight on video;
- upload the results via the official competition submission form.
Students who would like guidance from experienced mentors can join local rocket modeling clubs, with a full list available on the competition website.
Registration is open until May 31, and the winners will be announced after June 8.
For more information and registration, visit: www.noospherespace.games/vzum
Last year’s competition attracted more than 120 participants from 14 regions of Ukraine, including a six-year-old competitor, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for rocket modeling among young Ukrainians.
