Airport Design Challenge

Airport Design Challenge

The 2026 Season is OPEN and projects are due August 31! 

We're moving from Blackboard to a new website that doesn't require a login, making it easier for you to learn and have fun! Here's what this means for you:

  • Keep Building: Keep making awesome airport designs in Minecraft.  
  • Learn More: Use this time to find out more about airports and airplanes.
  • Hang Tight: There might be a short break while we switch to the new website, but don’t worry, we’re working hard to get it updated.

What’s Next? Keep an eye out for more news soon. We'll update this page as soon as the new website is ready. Until then, keep building, learning, and dreaming big!

Thank you for your patience and excitement. If you have any questions, you can always email us at avsed.challenge@faa.gov.

And be sure to stay in the loop! Subscribe Now for Challenge updates and reminders!
(We recommend subscribing all emails –parent/guardians and students!)

 

 

 

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

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.

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.

Quick Links

ADC Annual Milestones

October-AugustStudents enroll and work through ADC tasks
August 31Annual cut-off for Airport Design entries (anyone submitting work after this date will be entered in the next year's competition)
OctoberVirtual Awards Ceremony

Congratulations to the 2025 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. 

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American Trio
OKC Will Rogers World Airport
Oklahoma City, OK

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Straw Hat Pilots
Kingston-Ulster Airport
Kingston, NY

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Matthew the Young Aviator
Malta International Airport
Luqa, Malta

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WV Mountain Airs
West Virginia International Yeagar Airport
Charleston, WV

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Open Pro Minecrafters
David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
Houston, TX

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Navy Dolphins
Dulles International Airport
Dulles, VA

NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT SERVICE/EVENT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT.