MATHCOUNTS students in grades 6-8 during the 2022-23 program year can enter this contest. A student should submit only one entry and only respond to one of the prompt options for 2023. Teachers who wish to encourage their students to enter or do this project as an end-of-year class project may do so, but each student should enter individually, confirming they have permission from their parent/guardian.

Mathletes will respond to one of 3 prompts of their choosing (see prompts below). Students may choose to create a written project (an essay, story or poem), an artistic project (a drawing, painting, video or photograph of a 3D sculpture/model) or a hybrid writing-art project in response to the prompt they choose. This activity is meant to be self-expressive and flexible…so think about your own experiences with engineering and get creative!

• Experience of engineering: Reflect on experiences with engineering you have had in your own life.
• Beauty of engineering: Reflect on a time you were inspired by an engineering solution’s elegance or beauty.
• Dream of engineering: Envision how engineering could change the world in the future.

The deadline to enter the 2023 contest is Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. Apply using the application webform at the end of this webpage. The webform includes a few fields about the applicant, plus a place where students can upload their response.

Acceptable formats are: gif, jpg, png, tif, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, mov, mp3, wav, mp4, ogv and wmv, and the maximum file size is 500 MB.

This activity is meant to be self-expressive and flexible, so there are not many content restrictions. There are no minimum word requirements for written projects, but applicants should write enough to respond to the prompt adequately (up to 500 words) to be successful in the contest. Refer to the 2023 rubric for judges to learn more.

Acceptable formats are: gif, jpg, png, tif, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, mov, mp3, wav, mp4, ogv and wmv, and the maximum file size is 500 MB.

Entries must not defame or disparage any individuals, companies, organizations or institutions. Entries also must not contain nudity, lewd or vulgar behavior, offensive language and/or gestures.

We will select 10-15 finalists who will win a prize pack that includes a printed certificate and a $50 Amazon gift card. We also will recognize our finalists on our website during EWeek 2024.

One Grand Prize winner will receive this same prize pack, plus a trip for the student and their parent/guardian to Washington, DC in October 2023 to attend one day of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)’s Annual Meeting & Exposition as an honored guest of BAE Systems. 

• MATHCOUNTS will notify the winner and finalists and mail prize packs by August 14, 2023.
• MATHCOUNTS will work with the Grand Prize winner’s parent/guardian and our contacts at BAE Systems to make travel arrangements. Travel to Washington, DC (flights or mileage reimbursement), 2 nights of lodging and meals for 3 days will be covered for both the student and parent/guardian, up to $2000. Trip expenses in excess of $2000 must be covered by the student's family. 
• BAE Systems will cover the AUSA entry fees for the Grand Prize winner and escort them during the AUSA event. Learn more about the incredible activities and real-world engineering on display at AUSA.

The Grand Prize winner and their parent/guardian must be able to travel to Washington, DC during October 11-13, 2023 to tour the AUSA Annual Meeting. There are many additional free activities and attractions to enjoy in Washington, DC and, because the AUSA event will be one day, the winner and their parent/guardian will have plenty of time to explore the city! 

If you will be unable to travel to Washington, DC but are otherwise eligible, please feel free to participate! You still could win a finalist prize or just be recognized during EWeek 2024.

Thanks to our partners at BAE Systems, a panel of BAE Systems and MATHCOUNTS judges will review and score the entries using a rubric. Entry review will take place in July 2023 and the finalists and winner will be announced on August 14, 2023. Click here to download the rubric our judges will use.

The critical dates for the Engineers of the Future Award are:

• June 9, 2023: Contest opens
• June 30, 2023: Deadline to enter the contest
• July 2023: Judging and entry review take place
• August 14, 2023: Announcement of finalists and winners
• October 9-11, 2023: AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC (specific day for for Grand Prize TBD)
• February 19-23, 2024: We'll be spotlighting amazing Engineers of the Future entries during EWeek 2024.

Yes! You still should enter if you are eligible. This project is really fun! Plus, in addition to a Grand Prize winner, we will select 10-15 finalists to win an awesome prize pack. We'll also be recognizing applicants and finalists online during Engineers Week 2024.