What the South Carolina 4-H State Engineering Challenge Is
The State Engineering Challenge is South Carolina 4-H's annual hands-on STEM competition. Youth build, code, launch, test and present their own solutions to design problems, then compare results with other young people from across the state. The goal is to raise students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math through the engineering design process, and youth who take part report more confidence and knowledge in science skills. The challenge began in 2012 and is held each spring at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia. The 2026 edition drew more than 350 youth.
The 2027 Challenge is set for Wednesday, February 10, 2027.
Challenges and Who Can Enter
The 2027 challenge documents cover eight contests: Agriscience, Bridge Building, Coding, Innovation, Robotics, Rocketry, Visual Arts and Mystery. Youth ages 9 to 18 compete in coding, robotics, bridge building, rocketry and the other hands-on challenges. Youth ages 5 to 8 can enter the Visual Arts Challenge.
Here is how the seven contests worked at the 2026 challenge, which shows what to expect:
| Challenge | What entrants do | Divisions in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge building | Teams build a bridge from materials such as popsicle sticks, glue or paper. It must span a set distance and hold a maximum weight. | Junior (ages 9-13), Senior (ages 14-18) |
| Rocketry | Participants design, build and launch rockets. | Junior (ages 9-13), Senior (ages 14-18) |
| Coding | Participants solve computing problems on platforms such as Micro:bit. | No age divisions |
| Lego robotics | Teams design, build and program robots to complete missions, sometimes with a technical presentation or community service project. | No age divisions |
| Visual arts | Entries use photography, illustration or AI-generated artwork to address a problem. The 2026 theme was "Patterns in Nature." | Cloverleaf (ages 9-11), Junior (ages 12-13), Senior (ages 14-18) |
| Agri-science poster | Participants run an experiment and present a scientific poster, for example on emerging agricultural, food or natural resource technology. | Junior (ages 9-12), Senior (ages 14-18) |
| Mystery | Teams get an engineering prompt on the day, then design and build a solution within a time limit. The 2026 theme was payloads: juniors designed watercraft that carried the most weight before sinking, and seniors designed air vehicles that flew the farthest within bounds. | Junior (ages 9-13), Senior (ages 14-18) |
Divisions and themes can change from year to year, so check the 2027 challenge documents before you build. At the 2019 challenge, team events were open to teams of two to four youth, with coding and photography entered individually.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Register online through Eventbrite by the January 8, 2027 deadline.
- Read the challenge document for each contest you plan to enter. The 2027 overview, schedule, registration worksheet and slides from the question-and-answer session are posted by Clemson 4-H.
- Build and practice at home or with your club, then bring your entry to the fairgrounds on February 10, 2027.
- Compete, then see results. Places are awarded first through third in each challenge and division, and bridge and mystery results at the 2026 event listed places down to sixth.
What You Get
Winners are recognized in each challenge and division. The STEAM Expo that runs alongside the competition is free and open to participants and their families, with hands-on activities and educational displays. Past entrants have also received a T-shirt and a meal, as at the 2019 challenge. The 2026 edition was supported by the C.H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation, Google.org, the Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Universal Logistics and Willingham and Sons Building Supply, among others.
Where
South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201.
Questions
Is it only for 4-H members?
The challenge is run by South Carolina 4-H, the youth development program of Clemson Cooperative Extension, and registration is through the 4-H Eventbrite page. Ask the 4-H office if you are not yet enrolled.
My child is under 9. Can they take part?
Yes, ages 5 to 8 can enter the Visual Arts Challenge.
What is the Mystery challenge?
Teams do not know the task ahead of time. They receive the prompt at the event and must design and build within a time limit.
Who do I call?
South Carolina 4-H STEM office: (864) 656-3848.
Official Links
- Clemson 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology: 2027 challenge page and documents
- 2027 registration on Eventbrite
- S.C. 4-H Engineering Challenge provides hands-on STEM experiences: 2026 results and challenge descriptions
- Registration open for 2019 S.C. 4-H Engineering Challenge: earlier format
- Clemson 4-H statewide events calendar 2026-2027: dates and deadlines
Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina: The Essentials
Clemson Cooperative Extension has an office in all 46 South Carolina counties and offers research-based help on farms, gardens, families and youth programs.
Find your office
The County Office Directory lists address and phone for each county.
4-H
South Carolina 4-H is open to youth ages 5 to 18 for a $15 annual membership, with sign-up through 4HOnline, per the Get Involved page. Projects include cattle, horse, poultry, rabbit and swine.
Farm and soil help
The Livestock and Forages team runs beef cattle, forage, small ruminant, equine and backyard poultry programs. Soil samples can be dropped at a county office for the Clemson lab, where a standard test is $6.00 per sample, per the lab guidelines.
Next steps
Call your county office before you drive, and bring labeled samples.
Read the full guide: Clemson Cooperative Extension in South Carolina
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- State 4-H Engineering Challenge
State 4-H engineering challenge for youth teams at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia on February 10, 2027.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: Clemson 4-H Official event details - FFA Auctioneers CDE Semifinals
Semifinal round of the state FFA auctioneering contest in Columbia on February 22, 2027, with finalists moving on to the June state convention.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - FFA Legislative Day
FFA members meet lawmakers at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia on February 24, 2027.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: SC FFA / Clemson Extension Official event details - South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup Columbia
The Columbia stop of the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup, the last of three regional days for teen leaders, is set for March 6, 2027.
- 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup Columbia
Columbia session of the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Roundup, a youth leadership day, set for March 6, 2027.
Columbia, SC | Organizer: Clemson 4-H Official event details
All South Carolina events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.