2026-2027 DWU: Middle School Design Challenge

The 2026-2027 Dream with Us Design Challenge, themed "Fueling Flight: New Energy Systems," focuses on middle and high school students exploring the incorporation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the aviation industry. This challenge aims to increase safety, reduce costs, and discover new fuels for aircraft, while addressing the need for airport adaptations to accommodate these changes.

For middle school teams, the challenge requires participants to adapt an existing airport or design a new one that incorporates both LNG and traditional aviation fuel. The airport design must include various elements such as control towers, hangars, fuel locations, terminals, passenger parking, and runways. Specific requirements will be provided for middle school entrants.

Teams consist of 2-4 members and must submit their designs through the designated submission link on the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage by January 22, 2027, at 11:59 pm ET. Adult team sponsors may create the registration on behalf of the participating students. It is essential to note that using artificial intelligence tools for any aspect of the challenge is strictly prohibited. All submissions must be created solely by the team members without AI assistance.

The middle school challenge is open to students in grades 6-8 attending public, private, parochial, and home schools in the United States, as well as children of U.S. military members stationed overseas. Winning teams will be announced during a virtual awards reception and further details will be shared on social media and the Dream with Us design challenge webpage.