Background visual: a 3D landscape representing gradient descent, inspired by the 2026–2027 Challenge t-shirt artwork.
Welcome to the 37th Annual
Optimizing for greatness.
A year-long research competition where New Mexico students turn curiosity into computational research.
Grades 4–12 · Teams statewide · $40/student
Since 1990 in New Mexico
2026–2027 season
Apr 26–27, 2027
Present at Los Alamos and celebrate at the Awards Ceremony. Expo registration due March 26.
Who it’s for
The Supercomputing Challenge is an exciting program that offers a truly unique experience to students in our state. The opportunity to work on the most powerful computers in the world is currently available to only a very few students in the entire United States.
In New Mexico, it is just one of the benefits of living in the Land of Enchantment. We are dedicated to helping produce the high-tech workforce of the future by having students tackle the problems of today and tomorrow.
Meet the staff & volunteers who run the Challenge.
Get started
Students, teachers, and sponsors — register here for the 2026–2027 season.
Pick a real problem. Build with code. Compete statewide.
Student registrationSponsor teams, guide proposals, and support students through Expo.
Teacher registrationInvest in New Mexico students and connect with teams statewide.
Become a sponsorStudent project
2026 Expo · First place
The Effects of Dust Scattering on Observations of X-Ray Binaries
Los Alamos High School student research that used computational modeling to better understand what distant X-ray observations are really telling us.
Student project topics
A rotating sample of three fields — browse all eight on the topics hub.
Testimonials
Hear from Challenge participants, teachers, and alumni about the impact of computational science in New Mexico.
Monday Morning Newsletter
Get deadlines, opportunities, and season news in your inbox each Monday.
Last name and school or affiliation can be added on the subscription confirmation page.