Student Challenge 2026

Join the Student Challenge 2026 help shape a cleaner, safer future in space!

How can we keep Earth’s orbit safe and sustainable as space becomes more crowded? This year, participants of the Girls Go STEM Student Challenge are invited to take on a real-world challenge: space debris is a growing risk and new ideas can help shape the future of how we design and use space technologies. Develop your own concept, think creatively about how to minimise debris, and present your solution in a short video that brings your idea to life.

What is it About?

The Girls Go STEM Student Challenge is an annual European competition inviting girls aged 14–19 to team up and turn ideas into impactful STEM solutions.

Selected teams will be invited to the Women and Girls in STEM Forum, the Girls Go STEM annual event taking place in autumn 2026. There, they will present their project on stage and connect with an international network of students, experts, and innovators.

Your Challenge: Design for a Cleaner Space

There are currently over 1.2 million pieces of tracked debris orbiting Earth: old satellites, rocket parts, and fragments from past collisions. In simple terms, space debris includes all non-functional, human-made objects in space, especially broken or no longer working satellites. When components fail, they can break apart into fast-moving fragments that threaten other missions.

Your challenge is to rethink this problem! Choose one space component and redesign it so that, if it fails, it produces as little harmful debris as possible. Instead of trying to prevent failure entirely, focus on what happens when something goes wrong.

What Your Project Should Include

Your design can focus on any component, such as:

• a camera or sensor used to collect data
• a solar panel or antenna that unfolds in space
• a robotic arm or small moving mechanism
• a separation system used during launch
• a cooling system that prevents overheating
• or any other component of your choice.

To complete the challenge, you will:

• create a design (drawing or simple 3D model)
• explain your material choices
• show what would happen if your component failed.

Why Participate?

Take on a real-world challenge and design a solution for a more sustainable space 

If selected, you will get to:

• Pitch your idea live on stage at the annual event
• Take part in hands-on workshops and mentoring sessions
• Connect with students from across Europe and engage with experts and innovators

Who Can Participate?

• Motivated girls between 14 and 19 years old
• Each team must consist of 2 to 4 girls, individual participation is not allowed
• Teams can be formed across schools and countries (each team must register under a single country)
• Alumnae of the Girls Go STEM programme (successful completion of at least two introductory courses and one additional course)

For full eligibility requirements and rules, download the Student Challenge Rules & Guidelines.

How Does it Work?

• Step 1: Complete two introductory courses and one additional course (e.g. on Space Debris) on the learning platform.
• Step 2: Form a team of two to four girls. Download the slidedeck and think about your idea. 
• Step 3: Create your design (drawing or simple 3D) and add it, together with an explanation, to the slide deck.
• Step 4: Create a video presenting your idea convincingly (max. 1 min). Please ensure you have the consent of everyone appearing in the video and that any images and music used are royalty-free.
• Step 5: Every participant fills out the consent form. If you are a minor, the form must be signed by your parent or your legal guardian. Merge all consent forms into one single PDF.
• Step 6: Complete the application form with all required details and submit it by 27 July 2026, 13.00 CET.

Apply now!