2025 NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge

The Fluid Power Challenge consists of a Workshop Day and a Challenge Day held in April and May, respectively. Note that BOTH events are included in the registration fee and teams who register should attend both days.

Workshop Day - April 8th, 2025

During the Workshop Day, the teams learn about fluid power by building a pneumatic lifter and develop the skills they will need for the competition. At the end of the Workshop Day, they take their kits, including tools and supplies, back to school. Over the next few weeks, the teams work on the Challenge scenario and design, develop a portfolio, and build and test a prototype for their fluid power mechanisms.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the day ends by 12:30 p.m.

Challenge Day - May 13th, 2025

The teams come together again on Challenge Day. They use the same tools and an identical kit of supplies to recreate their unique mechanisms, which they use in the competition to pick up weighted objects, and place them on a platform. Teams are graded in a number of areas, including total points, portfolio ideas, design and teamwork.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the day ends by 12:30 p.m.

FAQ's

Where should school busses or vans park? 
 All information will be mailed to schools after registration closes in February.

I have an individual student - can they register and be assigned to a team?
This event requires students to attend in groups of 3-4 and individual registration is not available.

What if my school cannot attend the entire event window?
In order for teams to be successful on workshop day and compete in the competition day, they must be present for the entire 3 hours. We've compressed the day as much as possible to help avoid bussing issues many schools are encountering.