American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) (Nov 2026 – May 2027)

Course Description

The American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) is the world’s largest student rocketry competition, designed to inspire students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on aerospace design. This STEM club will guide students step-by-step through the process of designing, building, and flying rockets that meet ARC’s national competition requirements.

Throughout the year, students will:

• Learn the fundamentals of rocketry and flight.
• Use simulation software to design rockets that meet altitude and duration goals.
• Build and test rockets that can safely carry a fragile payload (an egg).
• Perform trial launches and official qualification flights.
• Potentially compete at the ARC National Finals in Virginia (May 2027).

Students must maintain a NEST membership during the program in order to take the workshop for a one-time lab fee of $50. (The rocketry club membership by istself does not qualify. See Bob about switching memberships, if needed.)

Who Can Join

• Open to students in grades 6–12.
• Students must contribute actively to design, building, and flight activities.

Sign-Up Information

• Sign-ups open in October during our info sessions. New 2027 info coming soon.
• Interested students must attend at least one info session before committing.

2026-27 SUNDAY MEETINGS, 10:30-11:30 am (tentative)

Phase 1: Drawing Board
Oct 25 – Meeting #1, Rocketry Fundamentals; ARC Overview
Nov 1 –  Meeting #2, Review OpenRocket/Explore motor choices and parachute sizes
Nov 8 – Meeting #3, Review Design Ideas
Nov 15 – Meeting #4, Brainstorm: initial ideas for protecting the egg
Nov 22 – Meeting #5 Review Design Ideas [Register Team by Dec 5]
Nov 29 – no meeting, Thanksgiving break [NEST will be open for optional labs]

Phase 2: Design and Simulation
Dec 6 – Meeting #6, Simulate candidate designs
Dec 13 – Meeting #7, Simulate candidate designs
Dec 20 – Meeting #8, Finalize design and order materials
Dec 27 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]

Phase 3: Building and Testing
Jan 3 – Meeting #9, Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Jan 10 – Meeting #10, Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Jan 17 – no meeting, Winter break [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Jan 24 – Meeting #11, Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Jan 31 – Meeting #12, Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Feb 7 – Meeting #13, Build rockets (airframe, payload capsule, recovery)
Feb 14 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Feb 21 – no meeting, School vacation week [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Feb 28 – Meeting #14, Final work, stability swing test, parachute deployment, altimeter 

Phase 4: Qualification Flights
Mar 7 – Meeting #15, Qualification flights (2–3 attempts with NAR observer)
Mar 14 – Meeting #16, Qualification flights (2–3 attempts with NAR observer)
Mar 21 – Meeting #17, Qualification flights (2–3 attempts with NAR observer)
Mar 28 – Meeting #18, Submit 2 best scores by April 4, 2027 

Phase 5: Nationals Prep
Apr 4 – Meeting #19, Nationals Prep.

Apr 11 – Meeting #20, Nationals Prep. 
Apr 18 – no meeting, Holiday weekend [NEST will be open for optional labs]
Apr 25 – no meeting, School vacation week [NEST will be open for optional labs]

If Qualified: Nationals
May 2 – Meeting #21,  Nationals Prep.
May 9 – Meeting #22, Nationals Prep.
May 15 – Finals: May 15 (backup May 16) in Virginia.