Welcome to the
2026 High School Manufacturing Challenge
Registration Will Remain Open Until Day of Event!
The High School Manufacturing Challenge lets high school students demonstrate their skills directly to local manufacturers, giving companies an early look at up‑and‑coming talent and the opportunity to build relationships with their future workforce.
Students
Teachers
High Schools
Districts
HS Mfg Challenge metrics are current as of March 16, 2026
Event Details
Date
March 14th, 2026
Time
9 AM to 2 PM
Location
Citrus Heights Community Events Center
6300 Fountain Square Dr.
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
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The annual SVMA High School Manufacturing Challenge is a unique opportunity for local high school students like yourself to participate in a design and manufacturing competition.
The Mfg Challenge gives you an insight into vocational manufacturing careers. It also gives you a chance to connect with local manufacturers who may sponsor your enrollment in an SVMA Apprenticeship. This is an unparalleled chance to stand out and take the first step towards a real-world modern manufacturing career.
Special thanks to the Sponsors who are helping to make this event possible:
Key benefits
We work with local schools to administer the High School Manufacturing Challenge. These fast-paced competitions challenge you to solve real-world manufacturing problems.
Explore Modern Manufacturing
The Mfg Challenge is a great way to explore if a career in modern manufacturing is for you. Learn about the industry first hand in a fun, competitive environment.
Win Great Prizes
Each year $5000 in scholarships are awarded to students competing in the Mfg Challenge, making it easier than ever to begin your career.
Show Your Skills
We match students to industry mentors for the Challenge. Stand out to potential employers by demonstrating your skills, talent and dedication.
Participate in SVMA Mfg Challenge
Show the world your skills
Strengthen your abilities in innovative thinking and practical application to take your engineering skills to the next level. Compete in the next SVMA High School Manufacturing Challenge.
Step 1: Register
Fill out the registration form to be notified of the next steps.
Step 2: Speak to your teacher
We work with educators across the region to run the Mfg Challenge each year. Your teacher can help you prepare for the competition. However, your teacher’s participation is not required.
Step 3: Stand out to local employers
Compete in the upcoming High School Manufacturing Challenge, and show the world what you can do.
Connecting community with industry
Compete and win
All high school students in the Greater Sacramento region are eligible to enter the High School Manufacturing Challenge. The competition is held annually in Sacramento, and encourages innovation and technical skill, awarding a total of $5,000 in scholarships, including top honors such as “Best Overall” and “Most Artistic.”
Your project must be completed individually, and follow the guidelines for each year’s Challenge. For example, in our 2025 Challenge, students had to use mixed media and at least one subtractive manufacturing process to make a functional tic-tac-toe game. Students could use wood, metal and plastic, and their final creation had to fit within a 6.5-inch cube.
There are plenty of ways to stand out to the judges and industry mentors in attendance, including prizes for:
- Best Overall – $1,000
- Mentor of the Year – $2,500
- Most Innovative Design – $500
- People’s Choice (Students Vote) – $500
- Coolest Electronics – $500
- Most Artistic – $500
- Best Technical Documentation – $500
- Most Complex Approach / Processes – $500