2026–2027 Dream with Us Design Challenge: Refueling Flight Design and New Energy Systems

NASA’s 2026–2027 Dream with Us Design Challenge, titled “Refueling Flight Design Challenge: New Energy Systems,” invites middle school and high school students to explore how new aviation fuels could change aircraft and airport design.

About the Aviation Design Challenge

As more aircraft join the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS), NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), universities, and aviation industry partners are exploring ways to improve aviation safety, make flight more affordable, develop new aircraft fuels, and reduce the time passengers and cargo spend in the air.

This year’s Dream with Us Challenge focuses on aviation fuels and the ways that adding a new fuel can affect aircraft design, airport infrastructure, safety, and flight operations.

Middle school and high school teams will investigate the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an additional aviation fuel source. Students will learn about LNG, how it may be used in aviation, the potential benefits of additional fuel sources, and the changes airports and aircraft may need to accommodate new energy systems.

Why New Aviation Fuels Could Change Airport Design

Since the early days of aviation, commercial aircraft have generally relied on traditional designs and infrastructure. The familiar “tube and wing” aircraft design was influenced by the materials and manufacturing techniques available at the time.

Advances in aircraft materials, manufacturing, fuel research, electrification, and other technologies are creating new possibilities for aircraft design. As aircraft use different energy systems, airports may also need to adapt.

Airports could require multiple fuel types, different gateway configurations for new aircraft, and designated areas for different aircraft operations. Future researchers and designers will help determine how aviation infrastructure responds to these challenges.

Middle School Challenge: Airport Design Requirements

Teams of two to four middle school students will modify an existing airport or create an original airport design that supports both LNG and traditional aviation fuel.

The airport design must include an overall airport layout with features such as:

• Control tower
• Hangars
• Fuel locations
• Passenger terminals
• Passenger parking
• Runways

See the challenge requirements below for additional details.

Important Dates and Eligibility

The 2026–2027 Dream with Us Design Challenge begins on September 25, 2026.

The middle school application and submission period ends on January 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Challenge begins: September 25, 2026
• Middle school submission deadline: January 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Registration deadline: To be announced
• Finalists selected and announced: To be announced
• Finalist presentations: Virtual date to be announced
• Winners announced: During a virtual awards reception; date to be determined

The Middle School Challenge is open to students in grades 6–8 attending public, private, parochial, or homeschool programs in the United States. Children of U.S. military personnel stationed overseas may also participate.

Students in grades 9–12 should use the high school module. Teams that include both middle school and high school students will compete in the High School Challenge.

Team Registration and Submission Rules

Schools, organizations, and community groups should inform parents and guardians that each team may submit only one entry. Team registration requires someone at least 13 years old to create an account. Adult team sponsors may create registrations on behalf of their teams.

Entries must be submitted through the submission link on the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage. Each participant must also provide a signed permission form from a parent or legal guardian agreeing to the challenge terms, requirements, and submission forms.

Artificial intelligence tools are not permitted. Teams may not upload, process, or generate challenge-related content using AI systems, publicly available browser-based generative AI services, AI-assisted code generators, or AI-generated images. All submissions must be created solely by team members without AI assistance.

Challenge Rules and Materials

Each team must address two submission categories: a technical presentation and a creative presentation. Both categories must be considered in the final project.

All sources must be cited, including image sources. Teams must also follow the rules prohibiting AI-generated or AI-assisted work.

1. All submissions must be original work created by the students.
2. Graphics must meet accessibility standards.

Accessibility Requirements

Documents should include descriptive alternative text for images, diagrams, and graphics. Alt text helps screen readers communicate visual information to users with disabilities and supports accessible, Section 508-compliant content.

Use clear, concise language to describe the purpose and content of each image. In Microsoft Word, right-click an image, choose Edit Alt Text, and enter a description.

Sample alternative text on PC: Right-click the image to display a drop-down menu and select Inspect Accessibility Properties to open the Web Inspector. Select the Show Alt Text option to open the Alt Text window.

Mac alternative text samples: Right-click an image and select Inspect Accessibility Properties to open the Web Inspector. The image’s alternative text appears in the highlighted gray area. Click the gray arrow next to “Image” if you need to view the complete alt text.

Technical Presentation Requirements

Technical presentations may be created using PowerPoint or another presentation format and should include the following:

1. Title slide: Include the team name, school or organization, and the first name and last initial of each team member. Do not include team members’ full last names.
2. Labeled airport layout: Show the airport design and identify its major features.
3. Airport modifications: Describe the changes made to accommodate multiple fuel types.
4. Safety and benefits: Explain safety considerations, the benefits of the airport design, and the needs of new aircraft taking off and landing at the airport.
5. Optional narration: Presentations may include recorded narration. If a presentation does not include audio, the slides must be self-explanatory.

Creative Presentation Requirements

The creative submission should promote the benefits of renovating an airport so it can use two different types of fuel. Teams may present their idea to city or state leaders, businesses interested in investing at the airport, airlines interested in serving the airport, or another audience of their choice.

Creative submissions may be presented as any of the following:

1. Video
2. Brochure
3. Flyer
4. Infographic
5. Commercial
6. Website
7. Another creative format

Videos, commercials, websites, and similar projects must include an accessible link. Teams may attach a Word document or PDF containing the link or a QR code. Make sure judges can access all linked content.

Submission File Requirements

Middle school entries will be submitted through the NASA Gateway and the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage.

All entries must include:

1. A signed permission form completed by each student’s parent or legal guardian.
2. A presentation submitted in PDF format. PDFs may not exceed 10 MB.
3. Artwork submitted as a high-resolution .jpg or .png image of the original artwork. The longest side must be at least 2,400 pixels. AI-created artwork is not accepted.
4. Videos uploaded to YouTube using a “Watch URL” link or a QR code submitted in a PDF document.

Research and Learning Resources

The challenge lessons and activities will help students learn about aircraft design, airport design, aviation fuels, and other aircraft considerations.

To learn more about research into liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an aviation fuel source, visit:

Research resource link: Insert link here

How Entries Will Be Judged

Industry experts will evaluate entries based on:

• Impact
• Practicality
• Originality
• Ease of communicating the idea

The judges will use these criteria to select award recipients and determine which projects will be recognized.

Submission Link and Awards

Submissions for the Dream with Us: Middle School Aviation Challenge will be accepted from September 25, 2026, through January 22, 2027.

Submission link: Insert link here

Winners will first be announced during a virtual awards reception. The reception date will be determined. Winners will also be shared on social media and on the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage after the reception.

Support for Educators and Students

Educators who want to support one or more teams and students who want to participate can follow the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage for additional information. A mid-term check-in is expected in October, with dates to be published on the challenge webpage.

Questions

For additional questions, contact the NASA Aeronautical STEM team at [email protected].

Related challenge: Dream with Us: High School Engineering Challenge