MESA Day 2026

MESA Day is USC MESA's signature regional series of STEM-based competitions. For more information about Pre-MESA day, head over to our designated Pre-MESA Day page by clicking here. 
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MESA Students preparing to show their complex machine

MESA Day 2026 - LA / Central Coast Region

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (NEW DATE)
Location: UC Santa Barbara
Format: In-person for ALL competitions
Arrival Time: 9:00 a.m.
Departure Time: 3:30 p.m.

​LA / Central Coast Regional MESA Day 2026 will be held in an in-person format for ALL competitions, including Coding Solutions and Math Escape Challenge. All participating team members are invited to this in-person competition day.

ONLY the first place team in each competition and division from USC MESA's Preliminary MESA Day will advance. For a list of students/teams advancing, please click the "...RESULTS" button. 

Registration and Submission/Upload

  • All qualifying teams are REQUIRED to complete the registration form no later than Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
  • All qualifying teams MUST also upload/submit electronically project file(s) such as engineering lab books, science journals, Bio Breakthrough videos, and NEDC design proposal and academic poster by Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
  • Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
    • Please ONLY register when your team is ready to upload/submit required project file(s). The competitions that do NOT require project files are Coding Solutions, Math Escape Challenge, and Speech. Your team can always improve your project file(s).​​
​DEADLINE: MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 AT 11:59 PM
All participating teams MUST adhere to all competition rules. There will be no arbitration at Regional MESA Day; all judging decisions will be final.

For information, logistics, and contest information, please click here or the button below. Please ensure that your team takes into consideration the information listed under the "Contest Information" section.
All participating students MUST have their parent/guardian sign the UCSB Waiver of Liability and Image Release Form. Please give your signed forms to your MESA Advisor.

Other Competitions

USC MESA CoderZ League

USC MESA is excited to launch a new initiative by offering middle school and high school teams an opportunity to compete in an online coding competition! League will be launched in October!

USC MESA League Dates: November 3 to December 6, 2025

Top teams will be invited to the USC MESA CoderZ League Finals.
  • Finals Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

Please contact your MESA Advisor for more information.

STEM on the Sidelines

​Ducommun Inc, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering MESA Program are excited to present the 8th Season of STEM on the Sidelines!

This year, teams will design, build, and code an athlete (vehicle) to compete in an NFL-style Training Camp! Gear up for an action-packed competition where engineering innovation meets the gridiron!


Registration will remain open until we reach capacity, but don't wait - secure your spot by the priority deadline!  Competition rules will be provided after registration confirmation.

JPL Invention Challenge

The annual JPL Invention Challenge is celebrating 26 years! The JPL Invention Challenge combines the skills of creativity, team building, designing, fabrication, testing, and solving complex problems into a fun and exciting contest. The JPL Invention Challenge is open to both middle and high schools.

2025 Contest: Bucket Brigade Contest
Regional Competition: Saturday, November 8, 2025
JPL Finals: Friday, December 5, 2025

Registration Deadline: October 4, 2025

Congressional App Challenge

Every year, students in congressional districts are challenged to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district-specific. As U.S. Representatives we publicly recognize the winning teams and each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Additional prizes may be available.

Students can register in either the congressional district they reside or attend school in. To find out your congressional district and if your district is participating in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge, please click here.

Entry Deadline: October 30, 2025

American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world's largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems.

2026 Challenge
Objective: Design, build, and launch a model rocket that cradles one raw egg to an altitude of 750 feet and a flight duration between 36 and 39 seconds.

Registration Deadline: December 6, 2025
Due Date to submit flight results: March 30, 2026

eCYBERMISSION

eCYBERMISSION is a web-based STEM competition for students in grades 6-9.

For the competition, teams choose one of two paths:
Path 1: Scientific Inquiry – Investigating a problem.
Path 2: Engineering Design – Solving a problem
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Deadline for Mini-Grant Application: November 12, 2025
Deadline for Team and Advisor Registration: February 25, 2026

National STEM Challenge (PAST)

Your mission? Craft a STEM project that tackles a real-world challenge. Choose from one of the 2024 listed themes and use the scientific method or engineering design process.

150 National STEM Champions and a caretaker will have travel and accommodation expenses covered to attend The National STEM Festival in Washington DC in March 2025 presented in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. The weekend will be filled with invaluable opportunities for these future STEM leaders to gain knowledge and make life changing connections. 

Entry Deadline: October 20, 2024