Airport Design Challenge
Airport Design Challenge
Enrollment for the 2025 Season has begun!
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The Airport Design Challenge (ADC) is an interactive learning and collaboration opportunity for students in grades K-12. The FAA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Aviation and Space Education (STEM AVSED) Program organizes and sponsors this exciting challenge.
What You Can Expect
- Small teams of students work together to learn about their local airport and to complete development tasks in Minecraft
- Organized lesson plans covering topics from airport layout, pavement, lighting, structures, and innovative growth
- Collaborative work between students, parents, and teachers performed in a virtual environment
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Work with Aviation Professionals and Designers to Learn about the Aerospace Industry
During the Airport Design Challenge, students have the opportunity to design virtual airports in Minecraft based on guidance from FAA aerospace and engineering experts. Participating students meet aviation professionals, engage with other designers, and learn about the aerospace industry. The challenge offers first-hand experience in an aviation-related application of STEM concepts and helps students apply their academic knowledge and skills to professional simulations.
While participants are encouraged to form teams of up to five members, they may also participate individually. Instructional modules cover topics ranging from airport layout, to pavement and lighting, then on to structures, and finally, innovative growth. Module knowledge check assignments and screenshots of students’ designs are used to assess progress and provide feedback.
Congratulations to the 2024 winners!
Anything is Possible in the Airport Design Challenge
Click on each image below to see what past ADC teams have done to complete development tasks.
American Trio
OKC Will Rogers World Airport
Oklahoma City, OK
Straw Hat Pilots
Kingston-Ulster Airport
Kingston, NY
Matthew the Young Aviator
Malta International Airport
Luqa, Malta
WV Mountain Airs
West Virginia International Yeagar Airport
Charleston, WV
Open Pro Minecrafters
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
Houston, TX
Navy Dolphins
Dulles International Airport
Dulles, VA
Quick Links
ADC Annual Milestones
|
September 1 |
Enrollment Opens for New Year |
| September-August | Students enroll and work through ADC tasks |
| August 31 | Annual cut-off for Airport Design entries (anyone submitting work after this date will be entered in the next year's competition) |
| October | Virtual Awards Ceremony |