The AEOP Veterans Appreciation Challenge is back for its fourth year, offering a fantastic opportunity to showcase your 3D design talents, honor veterans, and gain recognition for you and your school! This competition invites U.S. students in grades 4-12—including those in U.S. territories, possessions, and schools for children of U.S. personnel overseas—to design wearable 3D pins. The top designs will be professionally printed and distributed to veterans at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) in Columbus, Ohio. Winners from each grade band, 4-8th and 9-12th, will receive a three-day, two-night trip for two to the NVMM and a 3D printer that will be donated to a school or organization of their choice. Find out more and register for the challenge here.

Challenge Timeline

• December 13, 2024: Deadline to submit 3D pin designs
• March 4, 2025: Finalists announced
• April 2, 2025: Winners announced

Army Educational Outreach Program and Future Engineers Launch Fourth Annual National 3D Pin Design Challenge to Honor Veterans

Students from grades 4 to 12 are invited to create unique 3D-printed pins celebrating U.S. veterans

Sept. 12, 2024 – The AEOP Veterans Appreciation Challenge returns for its fourth year, inviting students in grades 4 through 12 to showcase their 3D design and engineering talents. This national STEM competition challenges young innovators to create a digital 3D model of a wearable pin that honors U.S. veterans, allowing them to express their gratitude through creativity and technology. The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) will again sponsor the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) challenge in partnership with Future Engineers, a company that administers free, online STEM competitions for students. 

Students in grades four through 12 will design a digital 3D model of a wearable pin that celebrates their appreciation for our veterans. Future Engineers offers no-cost resources and tools for students and teachers alike. Over the past three years, thousands of students from across the United States, its territories, and overseas schools for U.S. military families have participated, each bringing a unique perspective to this meaningful tribute.

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of volunteer judges, including U.S. service members and veterans, with ten finalists selected from two grade categories: 4th–8th and 9th–12th (20 finalists in total). The top 20 designs will be brought to life through 3D printing and distributed to veterans visiting the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Finalists will also receive five 3D-printed copies of their pin design and a $100 gift card for a professional 3D print.

The two grand prize winners—one from each grade category—will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Columbus, Ohio, to attend a special Memorial Day event at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Here, they will have the unique opportunity to personally distribute their pins to veterans and engage in meaningful conversations with those who have served. Additionally, each grand prize winner will be gifted a 3D printer to donate to their chosen school, library, or other organization, furthering their community’s STEM education opportunities.

For more details on how to participate and to register for the challenge, click here.

About the Army Educational Outreach Program

The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) seeks to provide an accessible pathway of STEM opportunities to attract, develop, and mentor the next generation of our nation’s diverse talent through U.S. Army educational outreach programs. AEOP offers our nation’s youth, young professionals and educators opportunities for meaningful, real-world STEM experiences, competitions and paid internships alongside U.S. Army researchers. From elementary school through to post doctoral students and educators, participants of all proficiency levels, interests, ethnic, economic and academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in AEOP. For more information on AEOP, visit usaeop.com. Follow AEOP on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Battelle

Battelle is an independent nonprofit organization that advances science and technology to have the greatest impact on our society and economy. With more than 90 years of experience, we turn knowledge into profound innovation. And we use our proceeds to reinvest in the advancement of science and technology, as well as build schools to advance STEM programs. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle provides comprehensive scientific solutions to companies and government agencies across multiple markets, including: health, industry, national security, infrastructure, and environment. For more information, visit battelle.org. Follow Battelle on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Future Engineers

Future Engineers hosts online contests and challenges for K-12 students. Previous challenges have helped produce historic achievements – from naming NASA’s Perseverance rover to manufacturing the first student-designed 3D print in space. All challenges are offered free for student and classroom participation. For more information, visit futureengineers.org. Follow Future Engineers on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

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