Asteroid Action Force challenge presentation (primary)
Use this interactive presentation, with video clips presented by Dr Gab Astorga, to guide pupils through the four missions that make up the challenge.
Ultimate STEM Challenge 2026/27
Asteroid Action Force
Could your students help save Earth? The Asteroid Action Force is recruiting!
Your students’ mission is simple:
- Learn about asteroids and planetary defence.
- Investigate real-world techniques used to protect Earth.
- Create a planet-saving invention of their own.
- Win out of this world prizes.
This ready-to-use challenge combines science, creativity and teamwork in a single lesson, with extension activities available for schools that want to go further.
- Ages 9-14
- Free to enter
- Prizes to be won
- Deadline: 30/04/27
Primary resources
Everything you need to run the challenge with ages 9-11 — the presentation, delivery guide, entry form and activity sheet.
Asteroid Action Force activity sheet (primary)
Pupils use this activity sheet to record results and draw conclusions as they investigate how forces can move and stop objects like asteroids.
Asteroid Action Force entry form (primary)
Competition entry form for pupils to draw and describe their innovative asteroid deflection solution and enter the competition, plus a cover sheet for you to fill in on behalf of your class.
Asteroid Action Force delivery guide (primary)
A short guide with curriculum links, and step-by-step instructions for how to deliver the challenge in a 1-hour lesson. Includes background science about asteroids and space.
Asteroid Action Force home mission
Students use this take-home mission sheet to extend their learning about asteroids and science careers at home.
Asteroid Action Force poster
Inspire budding young scientists with exciting STEM careers in planetary science and defence.
Secondary resources
The same mission, pitched for ages 11-14 — with extension activities for classes that want to go further.
Asteroid Action Force challenge presentation (secondary)
Use this interactive presentation, with video clips presented by Dr Gab Astorga, to guide students through the four missions that make up the challenge.
Asteroid Action Force activity sheet (secondary)
Students use this activity sheet to record results and draw conclusions as they investigate how forces can move and stop objects like asteroids.
Asteroid Action Force entry form (secondary)
Competition entry form for students to draw and describe their innovative asteroid deflection solution and enter the competition, plus a cover sheet for you to fill in on behalf of your class.
Asteroid Action Force delivery guide (secondary)
A short guide with curriculum links, and step-by-step instructions for how to deliver the challenge in a 1-hour lesson. Includes background science about asteroids and space.
Asteroid Action Force home mission
Students use this take-home mission sheet to extend their learning about asteroids and science careers at home.
Asteroid Action Force poster
Inspire budding young scientists with exciting STEM careers in planetary science and defence.
How to enter
Complete The Ultimate Asteroid Defence Challenge with your class for a chance to win out-of-this-world prizes.
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Run the challenge
Use the ready-made presentation and delivery guide to run the lesson with your class.
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Design a defence solution
Pupils come up with their own planetary defence invention, and explain why it's the ultimate defence solution.
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Send in your entries
Email or post your class's entries to us using the freepost label.
Prizes
An in-school masterclass from the National Space Academy
The winning entry wins an immersive in-school workshop delivered by the National Space Academy.
An iPad each for two runners-up
Two runners-up will each win an iPad for their school.
Pin badges and a class telescope
Plus, every take-home mission sheet sent in goes into a draw to win Asteroid Action Force pin badges and a telescope for the class.
What past winners have said
Taking part in the Ultimate STEM Challenge was really fun... it made me think more about how science can help the world. When we found out we'd won, I was actually speechless. It felt like our ideas really mattered!
Winning the challenge felt amazing – it showed us that young people can come up with real solutions.
Taking part in the Ultimate STEM Challenge was an amazing experience. We learned so much... We learned about new careers and the challenge made us feel like real problem-solvers.
Taking part in the Ultimate STEM Challenge was one of the most exciting things we've done this year. We loved having the chance to be creative and solve real-world problems.