Registration is now open for Contrapt Wisconsin 2026 Middle School Competition!
Register today for the 2026 Contrapt Wisconsin Competition! This year, we’ll host two events:
Contrapt Waukesha at WCTC on April 24, 2026
Contrapt Milwaukee at MSOE on May 8, 2026
Register early to secure your spot. Each school may enter up to four teams at one of the two competition dates. The 2025–26 handbook is currently being updated and will be released in January; however, most details are expected to remain the same as last year. Please reach out with any questions in the meantime.
What is Contrapt Wisconsin?
Contrapt Wisconsin is STEM Forward’s engaging middle school contraption competition. A contraption accomplishes a simple task in the most complicated, fun way possible. Building one can be challenging, but it allows students to work on skills involving engineering, simple machines, trial and error, project planning, physics, teamwork, and creativity. Our competition enables students to showcase their talents to their peers and our judges, with the chance to earn awards. If you have any questions, please contact Theresa Wolf at twolf@stemforward.org.
2025 Contrapt Wisconsin Recap
STEM Forward’s 2025 Contrapt Wisconsin competition celebrated another record-breaking year, with the playful theme “Feed Your Pet,” engaging 785 students in creativity, teamwork, and hands-on STEM learning. Contrapt Milwaukee at MSOE welcomed 28 teams and 125 students, while Contrapt Waukesha at WCTC hosted 45 teams and 183 students. A special edition at Golda Meir, sponsored by Eaton, brought 11 additional teams into the mix. Thanks to our judges, volunteers, sponsors, and educators, students across the region engineered imaginative chain-reaction machines that showcased problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.
Contrapt Milwaukee – May 2, 2025
Contrapt Waukesha – May 9, 2025
Looking for inspiration to introduce the Contrapt Competition in the classroom? Check out the "Action Contraption" activity in Discover Engineering's resource library—it's a great way to get kids excited and engaged!
Check out the 2025 pictures of students & their contraptions!
