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 helps students develop skills in engineering, simple machines, trial and error, project planning, physics, teamwork, and creativity. Our competition lets students showcase their talents to their peers and our judges and gives them the chance to earn awards. Rich Merkel at rmerkel@stemforward.org.

What did Past Participants Have to Say?

Students shared that participating in Future City and Contrapt Wisconsin created memorable and rewarding experiences while helping them grow academically and personally. Through these programs, students strengthened communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills, while also building confidence—especially in public speaking and presenting.

Many students said the competitions sparked a deeper interest in STEM and engineering careers, helped them understand the engineering design process, and opened their eyes to real-world challenges such as environmental sustainability and climate change. The experience also encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, while allowing students to form new friendships.

Overall, the programs made STEM fun, engaging, and meaningful, inspiring students to explore future careers and realize their potential to solve real-world problems.

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!

Sponsors Needed!

STEM Forward welcomes corporate sponsors to support our annula engineering competitions. Your sponsorship gives students hands-on opportunities to build critical skills in creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation through programs such as Contrapt Wisconsin. These impactful experiences would not be possible without industry partners committed to strengthening southeastern Wisconsin’s future workforce. Join us in investing in tomorrow’s STEM innovators, while demonstrating your organization's commitment to STEM education and the next generation of STEM talent.

2027 Sponsorship Opportunities for Engineering Design Programs

2026 Contrapt Competition in Review

Get inspired as you prepare for the 2027 season with a look back at the 2026 Contrapt Wisconsin Competition: Make it Grow!

Congratulations to the 2026 winners!

Milwaukee

1st Place: Greenhouse Gardeners - St. Mary's Visitation

2nd Place: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Longfellow middle

3rd Place: The Apple Jacks - Section Elementary 

4th Place: The Gardeners - Bayside Middle

5th Place: Gleem & Glow - Wheatland Center

waukesha

1st Place: The Up House Workers - St. Mary's Parish

2nd Place: CNHA, Inc - Mount Calvary Lutheran

3rd Place: Super Troopers - Waukesha STEM Academy 

4th Place: Waukesha STEM Wilderness - Waukesha STEM

5th Place: LEGO Masters - St. Mary’s Parish

Congratulations to the 2026 winners!

Milwaukee

Most Creative Use of Materials - ASCE - Back to the Garden - Prairie School
Risk - Collins Engineers - Tropical Explorers - Whitefish Bay
Most Innovative Step - SWE WI - The Gardeners - Bayside
Best Construction - MATC - Golda One - Golda Meir
Best presentation - MSOE - Thneeed For Speed - Wheatland Center
Most Unique Machine - Marquette - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Whitman
Panther Persistence - UWM CEAS -Desert Divas - Clarendon Avenue
Best Design - WCTC -The Messy Menu - Whitefish Bay
Peer Award - STEM Forward - Thneeed For Speed - Wheatland Center

waukesha

Most Creative Use of Materials - ASCE - Despicable Bananas - Mount Calvary
Risk - Collins Engineers - Milky Way All Stars - St. Dennis
Most Innovative Step - SWE WI - Super Mario Party - Kettle Moraine
|Best Construction - MATC - AKA - Rib Lake
Best presentation - MSOE - Los Bartos - St. Jacobi Lutheran
Most Unique Machine - MARUQETTE - Wall-E - Waukesha STEM Academy
Panther Persistence - UWM CEAS -Stardew Valley - Whitman
Best Design - WCTC - Book Worms - Waukesha STEM Academy
Peer Award - STEM Forward - Wall-E - Waukesha STEM Academy

2026 Sponsors

Check out pictures of students & their contraptions!