Keep a crew alive and happy on the Moon or Mars.

A STEM competition for teams of up to six students in grades 3–8. Research the challenges of living in space, design a colony, and build a 3D model from recycled materials — then submit a video and presentation for feedback from real STEM professionals and a chance to win.

Cumulative reach, 2022–2026

Students (all-time): 1,400+
Teams (all-time): 360+
Schools (all-time): 90+
Judges (all-time): 140+

Two students building their space colony model in a school library

Running since 2014 Backed by a NASA grant Judged by real STEM professionals Aligned to NGSS & TEKS

Students and their teacher planning a space-colony layout together — In it together
Real teams, real engineering
Students research, plan, and build alongside their teachers and mentors — collaborating like real engineers on open-ended problems that don't have a single right answer.

Why it matters

Skills that outlast the competition

More than a contest, the Space Colony Competition turns one of humanity's real challenges into weeks of hands-on learning. Students don't just study space — they practice how engineers and scientists actually work.

Problem-solving

An authentic, open-ended challenge with no single right answer.

Engineering & design thinking

Design real systems — power, air, water, food, shelter — under real constraints.

Research & science literacy

Investigate the real science of surviving on the Moon or Mars.

Teamwork & collaboration

Divide the work, debate trade-offs, and build together as a team.

Creativity & imagination

Invent a place no one has built — and bring it to life as a model.

Communication & confidence

Present the design on camera and hear back from real professionals.

Every team is scored on a 100-point rubric and receives a personal feedback video from a working STEM professional. It's real feedback on real work, and it's what students remember most.

Explore

Everything about the competition

Dig into the challenge, the season, how judging works, and the resources that support your team.

The Challenge

Research, design, and solve the real problems of keeping a crew alive on the Moon or Mars.

Timeline

The full season — registration, build, judging, and awards.

Judging

Real feedback from real STEM professionals.

Rules & Resources

Eligibility, what to submit, and how the rubric works.

Cosmic Portal

Free STEM resources and community, all year long.

What it costs

One flat fee — everything included

No kits to buy. Just recycled materials and their imaginations.

$40 / team

Up to 6 students — as little as $7/student

Scored by real STEM professionals
A personal feedback video for every team
Recycled materials only — no kits or travel
District invoicing with POs · need-based financial support

Costs nothing to register — reserve your teams now and pay by card or invoice before the deadline.

A fraction of most judged STEM competitions (often $100–$300+ per team).

About

A program of the Cosmic Leap Foundation

What began in 2014 as a city-wide competition in San Antonio — powered by a grant from NASA — is now a virtual program open to classrooms and STEM clubs around the world. The Space Colony Competition is run by the Cosmic Leap Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bringing hands-on Grades 3–8 STEM to students everywhere.

Learn about our mission

Partners & Sponsors