eSTEM Challenge
The Center for Pre-College Programs at NJIT is proud to announce our annual Elementary STEM challenge for elementary school students (3rd - 5th grade), focusing on engineering and design.
eSTEM 2027 Registration is NOW OPEN!
Get the Early Bird rate by submitting your registration by November 12.
Spots are limited, and will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.
This year's eSTEM Challenge will feature a new "Community Problem-Solving" question, where students will harness the power of microcontroller technology to address a real-world issue. Using the Engineering Design Process (EDP), student teams will design, build, and demonstrate creative solutions that can make a positive impact in their community.
This year we will host two divisions: Novice Division and Pioneer Division. Teams with 0-1 years of eSTEM experience will be in the Novice Division, and teams with 2+ years of eSTEM participation will join the Pioneer Division.
Showcase Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2027 from 8:30am-3:00pm
Eligibility: 3rd - 5th grade students
# of Team Members: 4 - 6 student members per team (Limited to 1 team per school)
Registration Deadline: Friday December 11, 2026
Registration Fee: Payment method must be by check or school Purchase Order
Early Bird Registration: $299 per team (due date Thursday, November 10, 2026)
General Registration: $349 per team (due date Friday, December 11, 2026)
Costs includes:
- Supply kits
- Engineering Logbook (1 per team)
- A teacher-coaches virtual professional development workshop (dates TBA)
- An optional teacher-coach hands-on Tinker session (dates TBA)
- An NJIT student mentor who will meet with the team throughout the six weeks prior to the showcase day
Challenge Components:
- Engineer's Logbook (30% of the overall score): The first part of the challenge will require the team to complete and submit one final Engineer's Logbook that documents each phase of the Engineering Design Process.
- Oral Presentation (30% of the overall score): This part of the challenge will feature team members’ presentations of project overviews that include their design processes, concepts and evidence of teamwork. The presentation will include a board/slide display and provide information on Engineering principles used as well as methodology and scientific reasoning.
- Prototype Demonstration (30% of the overall score):. This component of the challenge will require students to demonstrate the prototypes they worked on for the six weeks leading up to the competition. Judges will time, observe and evaluate the students using a score sheet during the device demonstration.
- Knowledge Assessment (10% of the overall score): The final part of the challenge will be a knowledge assessment to test the students' understanding of the Engineering Design Process, and the components of the Challenge.
NJIT Student Mentors:
Each team will be assigned an NJIT Student Mentor that will meet with the team on a weekly or biweekly basis for six weeks prior to the challenge. Novice teams will meet with mentors weekly, while Pioneer teams will meet biweekly.
Mentors will meet with teams to answer questions regarding rules and logistics, and provide overall guidance to the team as they work through the Engineering Design Process.
Teacher-Coaches Professional Development:
- Virtual Info Session (mandatory; date TBA)
- Tinker Session (optional; date TBA)
Awards & Prizes:
The challenge will culminate with an award ceremony that will include the announcement of first, second and third place challenge winners within each Challenge Component. Three teams will take home trophies for highest overall scores. Medals will be given to each team member in the award categories, while the top placing teams will also receive a trophy.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at eSTEM-group@njit.edu.