Theme: 

“Explore the growing population of objects in Earth orbit, identifying contributing causes, consequences, traffic management implications, mitigation approaches, and prospects for the future.”

 

Requirements:

• Typewritten essay, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, in 1,000 words or less

• The use of Artificial Intelligence for text generation and improving language is strictly disallowed

• Include student name, teacher name, current grade, and school name in your submission

• Email Essay Submissions with "Essay Contest" in subject line to Gregg Cannady by April 10, 2025: Greggory.Cannady@scienceandtech.org

 

Deadline:

Essay submission deadline to AIAA RMS section officers is April 10, 2025. AIAA RMS will judge submissions, and then submit AIAA RMS 1ST place winning essays to the national contest on April 30, 2025. National winners and their teachers will be notified by the end of May 2025.

 

Eligibility:

Any seventh or eighth grader (or equivalent).

 

National Prizes:

1st place will be awarded $125,

2nd place will be awarded $75, and

3rd place will be awarded $50.

 

Winners are publicly announced in the September 2025 issue of Aerospace America magazine.

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Rocky Mountain Section Prizes:

• 8th grade: 1st place $100, 2nd place $50.

• 7th grade: 1st place $100, 2nd place $50.

 

Judging Criteria:

1. Originality of ideas presented (30%)

2. Soundness of logic used to develop ideas (30%)

3. Realism of ideas presented (20%)

4. Quality of composition & clarity of expression (20%)

 

Email Essay Submissions by April 10th and Questions to Gregg Cannady:

Greggory.Cannady@scienceandtech.org with Essay Contest in subject line.

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Check out a few essays from previous contests:

• 2023 AIAA RMS Winners

• National Results from 2024