Getting Started

The CRE[AT]E Challenge is an opportunity for high school students to learn engineering design from MIT instructors and remote mentors while working with their local coaches and people with disabilities to prototype assistive technology solutions.

Our course materials are publicly available online and are free to all.

Accepted teams are given access to our Discord community, where some course assignments and design reviews are submitted, and teams can receive help from our network of remote mentors. US-based registered teams are eligible to receive project funding from Beaver Works.

Our final event in April is an opportunity for teams to showcase their projects. Students may be rewarded for exceptional demonstrations of co-designer collaboration, product feasibility, innovation, and documentation.

Regardless of whether or not you think you will need mentorship or funding, you should register so that we know that you are following along!

What do I need to start a team?

To register (high school):

• 2 to 5 students

• At least one adult (18+) "coach" who is local to the students and will be the team's primary point of contact

To register (college):

• 2 to 5 students

• One student (18+) designated as "team captain" who will be the team's primary point of contact

By December 1st:

• A local person with disability-related challenges (a co-designer) who is willing to work with the team to design a solution

Do I have to be based in the United States?

The Challenge is only working with teams outside of the United States through specific partner organizations. This year, we are working with the Kyiv School of Economics and the Technological Institute of Monterrey. If you are based outside of the United States, your team (at either the high school or college level) must be associated with one of these institutions to participate.

Students based in the United States may register according to the requirements above.

Other students are welcome to use our free resources, but we cannot officially support you as participants at this time.

"But what if I don't know enough?"

Welcome to class. We're glad you're here to learn.

"But I don't know anyone with a disability."

You probably do. Disability isn't just about missing limbs and guide dogs. You'll learn about what it means to have a disability and we'll help you brainstorm who you might work with.

Registration

• Registration makes you part of the CRE[AT]E community, and is required for access to assignment submissions, design reviews, and our mentor network

• Registration forms must be submitted by an adult

• Initial team registration is due October 5th, 2025

Registering Your Members: (post-acceptance)

• All coaches and student participants must complete our team acceptance and consent form after your team has been accepted and you have been assigned a team number

• These forms must be completed annually, for each academic year of participation

Payment and Funding

• Participation in the CRE[AT]E Challenge is free, thanks to our generous sponsors

• Registered high school teams based in the United States may apply for a grant of up to $125 for their project as part of their preliminary mentor design review

• If your team wishes to raise funds separately for your project, you may do so

• We do not provide support for fundraising directly, though you may consider some of the resources recommended by FIRST Robotics

I have a team. What now?

1. Familiarize yourself with the Goals of the Challenge 

2. Check out the tips for teams

3. Check out the season schedule for an overview of the year

4. Check out the CRE[AT]E Course for our engineering design curriculum

5. Once you have completed your consent form (above), registered team members will receive a link to join our Edly course tracking platform, which will have instructions on how to join the Discord server