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2026 American Rocketry Challenge Student Survey
Thank you for providing information about your participation in the American Rocketry Challenge! This information will be used to help us improve the program in future years. Please complete the information below.
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1.
Grade Level: (2025-2026 academic year)
(Required.)
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
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2.
What state/territory do you reside in?
(Required.)
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia (DC)
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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3.
How did you hear about the American Rocketry Challenge?
(Required.)
From social media
From an internet search
From a nonprofit organization (FFA, Challenger Center, scouts, 4-H,)
From a teacher or in a school club
From a family member
From another student or friend my age
Other (please specify)
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4.
How many years have you participated in the American Rocketry Challenge? (include this year in your count)
(Required.)
1 year (this year was my first)
2 years (this year and one previous year)
3 years (this year and 2 previous years)
4 or more years
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5.
After graduating high schooI I plan to...
(Required.)
Enroll in a Vocational, Technical, or Trade School
Enroll in the U.S. Military
Take a year off to travel, do volunteer work, do a mission year, or participate in another non-academic activity
Enroll in a 2-year college
Begin working full time
Enroll in a 4-year college/university
Other (please specify)
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6.
Prior to participating in the American Rocketry Challenge, what field of study, trade, or profession did you plan to pursue, if any?
(Required.)
Unsure or no plans prior to ARC
A field typically considered Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)
A field NOT typically considered STEM
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7.
After participating in the American Rocketry Challenge for the first time, what field of study, trade, or profession did you plan to pursue, if any?
(Required.)
Unsure or no plans after ARC
A field typically considered Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)
A field NOT typically considered STEM
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8.
Did your team have rocketry mentorship support?
(Required.)
From a member of the National Association of Rocketry
From a different aerospace professional
From our teacher who had subject matter expertise
We did not have mentorship in rocketry.
Other (please specify)
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9.
How many hours per month (not counting off-season) does your team meet with a rocketry mentor? (Enter a whole number.)
(Required.)
10.
Did you engage with an aerospace company or mentor affiliated with an aerospace company this season, if so what companies did you engage with and in what way?
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11.
Which adult figure supported your team the most overall through the program?
(Required.)
My teacher / adult supervisor
A team member’s parent/guardian
A National Assocation of Rocketry mentor (who was neither a parent nor teacher)
An aerospace industry professional (who was neither a parent nor teacher)
None, we were mostly on our own
Other (please specify)
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12.
How many hours total do you estimate you spent on the American Rocketry Challenge in the last year? (Enter a whole number.)
(Required.)
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13.
What was the biggest challenge your team faced in participating in this program? (mark up to 3)
(Required.)
Funding
Keeping ourselves motivated
Finding a place to fly
Finding weather conditions that supported flying
Finding parts/supplies to build a rocket
Learning to build a rocket that worked
Understanding the rules and guidelines of the challenge
Finding a local National Association of Rocketry observer for qualifications
Finding an adult advisor to coordinate our team
Finding an adult mentor with rocketry knowledge
Other (please specify)
14.
What additional resources, support or opportunities could the competition organizers provide that would help you throughout the year in participating in the competition?
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15.
Please respond to the following statements (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree): I would like to participate in the American Rocketry Challenge again next year (if you are a graduating senior, answer N/A)
(Required.)
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
N/A
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16.
To what extent has your KNOWLEDGE changed as a result of participating in the American Rocketry Challenge? (consider your full year of participation)
(Required.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
N/A
My understanding of the concepts behind rocketry
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
N/A
My knowledge of manufacturing techniques (woodworking, 3D printing, etc.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
N/A
My knowledge of the mathematics necessary for rocketry calculations
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
N/A
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17.
To what extent have your INTERESTS and ATTITUDES changed as a result of participating in the American Rocketry Challenge? (consider your full year of participation)
(Required.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My belief that I am good at science, engineering, math, or technology (STEM).
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My belief that I could succeed in a STEM field of study or career.
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My interest my current science, technology, engineering, and math classes
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My interest in taking more science, technology, engineering, and math classes in middle or high school
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My interest in studying science, technology, engineering or math after high school
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My interest in a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My confidence in approaching new topics I am unfamiliar with
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My interest in volunteering or helping others in my school or community in STEM or rocketry
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
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18.
To what extent have your SKILLS changed as a result of participating in the American Rocketry Challenge? (consider your full year of participation)
(Required.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My ability to explain rocketry concepts to others
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My ability to physically build or put together a model rocket
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My ability to work with and communicate with a team
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My ability to perform mathematical calculations
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My ability to utilize simulation software
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My manufacturing skills (woodworking, welding, 3D printing, etc.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
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19.
To what extent has your AWARENESS changed as a result of participating in the American Rocketry Challenge? (consider your full year of participation)
(Required.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My awareness of companies that hire people in aerospace careers
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My awareness of aerospace-related careers.
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My awareness of colleges and universities who value students who have experience in this area
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My awareness of aerospace supply chain that makes building aircraft possible.
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
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20.
To what extent has your INTERACTION WITH PEOPLE changed as a result of participating in the American Rocketry Challenge? (consider your full year of participation)
(Required.)
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
The number of adults I know who can give me advice about school, careers, or future opportunities
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
My connections with people from different backgrounds and experiences
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
The time I spend volunteering or helping with school, community, or other organized activities
Greatly Increased
Increased
Stayed the Same
Decreased
Greatly Decreased
Not Applicable to Me (N/A)
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21.
Did your team win any ARC awards this year?
(Required.)
N/A
Top 100 Finalist
Top 25 Team (Qualified for NASA SLI)
1st - 10th Place
Special Award at Finals (Rocket-building, Craftsmanship, Innovative Approach)
Mission Extension Challenge Award (Mission Debriefing, Rocket Reels, or Launchpad League)
22.
For Finalist Teams Only: Did you participate in Aerospace Games at National Finals?
Yes, and we returned to have our points tallied.
Yes, we started, but did not come back to the tent to get our score tallied.
No, we did not, but I was interested in participating.
No, this did not interest me.
23.
For Finalist Teams Only: Did you visit any exhibitor/sponsor booths at National Finals?
Yes, I visited all the exhibit booths.
Yes, I visited some exhibit booths.
No, but I was interested in visiting the booths.
No, this did not interest me.
24.
For Finalist Teams Only: If yes, which of the following are true about your experience stopping by exhibit booths?
I gained an understanding of what each organization or sponsor does.
I was excited to gather giveaway items.
I learned about companies or organizations I had not heard of before.
I enjoyed the hands-on activities
I plan to interact with one of these companies or organizations in the future.
25.
How can we improve for next year’s challenge? Please limit your response to 4 sentences.
26.
Please leave any additional comments about your experience with the American Rocketry Challenge below:
27.
Optional: Provide a testimonial about the impact the American Rocketry Challenge has had on you that we could use on our website or share with sponsors. If you would like it to be attributed to you, please include your first name only, grade level, and state.
28.
If you are over 18 or have guardian permission, you can sign up for the Alumni Newsletter and future opportunities to connect with notable figures in the aerospace industry. Enter your email address below. (This field will be separated from the above data upon export.)
29.
Enter your email address below to have a chance at the giveaways associated with completing this survey (This field will be separated from the above data upon export.):
