A successful Micron community week brought in thousands & a Rocket Challenge readies for a May liftoff: all from the Museum of Science & Technology.
Micron Technology’s first CNY Community Week was held March 30 through April 3, 2026, in partnership with the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST), and it delivered a huge boost to STEM education, workforce creation, and community events across Central New York. The week ended with a free STEM Festival that welcomed approximately 1,500 children and adults for hands-on activities, food trucks, and special programming in the Micron Deconstructed exhibit.
The week opened with a major announcement of a $35.5 million in new community investments through the Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund, targeting housing, transportation, childcare, workforce development, and education.
The Central New York Regional Science Fair at the MOST, with over 200 students presenting close to 200 projects with schools participating throughout the region. The Science Fair was labeled as the biggest event in over a decade for Central New York. With numerous projects moving on to National competition.
A major event for the week was the Careers in Tech events featuring Syracuse native and retired NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, who inspired nearly 300 middle and high school students with keynotes on perseverance, curiosity, and local opportunity.
Workforce sessions on construction and trades careers tied to Micron’s huge semiconductor plant in Clay, NY. Volunteer efforts also took place, including packing thousands of pounds of food at the Food Bank of Central New York and assembling hygiene kits with the United Way.
Micron executives and partners also held a Tech Talk on AI and high-tech manufacturing, drawing roughly 125 local business and community leaders. Building on this momentum, the MOST’s popular Rocket Team Challenge, part of its yearlong Design, Build & Compete program, is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Jamesville Beach Park, Gate 2.
Teams of 4 to 8 students in Junior division; grades 4-8 and Senior division; grades 9-12 will build and launch model rockets (Green Eggs for juniors, Graduator for seniors) carrying an egg payload. Competition categories include altitude, stability, egg survival, accurate apogee prediction (seniors), and sustainability bonuses for reusing previous rockets. Registration opened April 13, 2026, with kits available for pick up at the MOST.
The Rocket Challenge is a free event with kits, motors, eggs, and wadding provided. Support sessions are available with Syracuse Rocket Club advisors. Awards will be given for top scores, best team name, highest flight, and the most accurate prediction.
The recent Community Week and the upcoming Rocket Challenge are part of the MOST’s goal to have the area engage in STEM experiences across 10 Central New York counties along with Micron’s commitment to grow local talent for the region’s technology industries.
