What Are the RECF Online Challenges?
The RECF’s Online Challenges are creative, skill-building competitions that students can participate in from anywhere in the world. Teams explore STEM topics, develop new skills, and share their ideas with a global audience — all without stepping onto a competition field.
Why They Matter
These challenges encourage students to think beyond building and driving a robot or piloting a drone. Online Challenges help students develop critical skills such as communication, research, design, writing, and teamwork — all of which prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.
Online Challenges Cycles
2026-2027 Timeline
Cycle Open
Make a season long impact
Challenges Open: September 1, 2026
Winners Announced: March 15, 2027
Coming Soon
Ignite students' interest
Challenges Open: September 21, 2026
Winners Announced: January 15, 2027
After Worlds Submission
Spring into innovation
Challenges Open: February 15. 2027
Winners Announced: June 15, 2027
Cycle Open
Make a season long impact
Challenges Open: September 1, 2026
Winners Announced: March 15, 2027
Coming Soon
Ignite students' interest
Challenges Open: September 21, 2026
Winners Announced: January 15, 2027
After Worlds Submission
Spring into innovation
Challenges Open: February 15. 2027
Winners Announced: June 15, 2027
USSEO Online Challenge
Human-In-the Loop
Registration Closes: February 5, 2027
Submission Deadline: March 5, 2027
Cycle One Challenges
Challenges Open: September 1, 2026
Submission Window: January 11-22, 2027
Cycle Two Challenges
Challenges Open: September 21, 2026
Submission Window: November 16 - December 4, 2026
Cycle Three Challenges
Challenges Open: Thu, Jan 15, 2026 2:00 PM CST
Challenges Close: Wed, Feb 18, 2026 2:00 PM CST
Challenges Close: Wed, Feb 18, 2026 2:00 PM CST
