The Girls Go STEM Student Challenge invites young female innovators to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing the modern space industry—space debris. Organized as part of the Girls Go STEM programme, the competition encourages participants to design innovative engineering solutions that reduce the amount of debris created when spacecraft components fail in orbit.
Finalist teams will have the opportunity to present their ideas to STEM professionals, researchers, and fellow students during the EIT Women and Girls in STEM Forum in Prague. The challenge promotes creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills while inspiring more girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Challenge Summary
- Host Event: Girls Go STEM Student Challenge
- Final Event Location: Prague
- Organized Through: Girls Go STEM Programme
- Competition Theme: Solving the Space Debris Crisis
- Participation Type: Team Competition
- Team Size: 2–4 girls
- Age Requirement: 14–19 years
- Eligible Nationalities: Participants from eligible Girls Go STEM programme countries
- Application Deadline: 27 July 2026 (13:00 CET)
Challenge Theme
This year's challenge focuses on reducing the dangers of space debris, one of the fastest-growing problems affecting satellites and future space missions.
Participants must redesign a spacecraft component so that if it fails in orbit, it produces as little dangerous debris as possible. Rather than preventing failure entirely, teams are encouraged to develop safer engineering designs that minimize long-term risks in space.
Possible Design Components
Teams may redesign one of the following spacecraft components:
- Camera or scientific sensor
- Solar panel
- Satellite antenna
- Robotic arm or moving mechanism
- Rocket separation system
- Cooling system
- Any other spacecraft component
Suggested Engineering Ideas
Participants are encouraged to explore innovative solutions such as:
- Materials that safely burn up during atmospheric re-entry
- Components designed to break into less hazardous fragments
- Pressure-release mechanisms that prevent explosions
- Alternative engineering designs that reduce orbital debris
What Participants Must Submit
Each team must prepare:
- A design drawing or simple 3D model
- An explanation of the selected materials
- An analysis of what happens if the component fails
- A presentation slide deck
- A one-minute video presenting the project
- Signed consent forms for all participants (parent or guardian signatures are required for minors)
Benefits
Finalist teams will receive several valuable opportunities, including:
- Present their engineering solution at the EIT Women and Girls in STEM Forum in Prague
- Meet STEM professionals, researchers, and innovators
- Participate in interactive STEM workshops
- Receive mentoring from industry experts
- Network with students from different countries
- Gain experience in engineering design, teamwork, and public speaking
- Showcase innovative ideas on an international stage
Eligible Nationalities
The challenge is open to girls from participating countries in the Girls Go STEM programme.
Teams may include members from different schools and even different countries, but each team must register under one participating country.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be girls between 14 and 19 years of age.
- Participate in teams consisting of 2–4 members.
- Be alumnae of the Girls Go STEM programme.
- Complete two introductory Girls Go STEM courses.
- Complete at least one additional Girls Go STEM course.
- Register the team under one eligible country.
- Submit all required materials before the deadline.
Required Documents
Teams must submit:
- Completed online application
- Project presentation
- Design drawing or 3D model
- One-minute presentation video
- Engineering explanation
- Signed participant consent forms
Application Process
To participate in the challenge:
- Complete two introductory Girls Go STEM courses and one additional STEM course.
- Form a team of two to four girls.
- Download the official PowerPoint or Canva presentation template.
- Design a spacecraft component that minimizes space debris after failure.
- Prepare the required presentation and supporting documents.
- Record a one-minute video explaining your solution.
- Collect signed consent forms from all participants.
- Submit the complete application before 27 July 2026 (13:00 CET).
Selection Criteria
Projects will be evaluated based on four key areas:
- Creativity and originality of the engineering concept
- Practicality and quality of the design
- Clear reasoning behind engineering decisions
- Effectiveness of the project presentation and communication
Why Participate?
The Girls Go STEM Student Challenge gives young women the opportunity to work on a real-world engineering problem while developing practical STEM skills. Participants gain valuable experience in innovation, design thinking, teamwork, and communication while connecting with experts and students who share a passion for science and technology.
Official Call: https://eit-girlsgostem.eu/student-challenge-2026/https://eit-girlsgostem.eu/student-challenge-2026/
