Reno Tech Challenge

Where can you learn engineering design skills, discover how to solve real-world problems, practice working collaboratively and have a whole lot of fun at the same time?

The Tech Challenge in San Jose has been inspiring students for 39 years and is now coming to Reno for the first time! Students in Grades 4-12 will use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. Participants will collaborate and become deeply engaged in the challenge while documenting their progress and designs. The program culminates in an inspiring showcase on May 23 where teams put their solutions to the test in front of judges.

The 2026 scenario:

Northern Nevada is in need of affordable housing! This year's challenge is to design a device that cost-effectively builds housing. How might you accurately lift housing modules into place? 

The challenge: Design, build, test, and demonstrate an innovative lifting device that transfers housing modules from one place to another at a construction site.