3DPrintMeetup/challenges.md

---
title: "Maker Challenges"
category: "challenges"
order: 1
description: "Monthly 3D printing challenges, guidelines, and archive."
tags:
  - challenges
---

# 3D Print Meetup Challenges

Welcome to our monthly 3D printing challenges! Each month features a unique theme designed to test different aspects of 3D printing skills, from material handling to design innovation.

## Active Challenge

### September 2026: "Practi\"FALL\" Prints"

**Theme**: Functional Utility & Everyday Practicality

**Key Details**:

- **Model**: Any functional or practical print (door stop, bottle/can opener, tool, bracket, organizer, etc.)
- **Goal**: Create a functional item that solves a real-world problem or makes life easier
- **Focus**: Share your print use case, design/slicing approach, and durability considerations

**[View Full Challenge Details](./challenges/current/current.md)**

## Upcoming Challenge

### October 2026: "[Theme TBD]"

**Status**: Planning in progress

**Expected Timeline**:

- **Announcement**: September meeting (September 16th, 2026)
- **Submission Period**: October 2026
- **Judging**: October 2026

**[View Upcoming Challenge Preview](./challenges/current/upcoming.md)**

## Challenge Archive

**[View Complete Challenge Archive](./challenges/archive/readme.md)**

### 2026 Challenges

| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status | File |
|-------|---------------|-------|--------|------|
| September | "Practi\"FALL\" Prints" | Functional Utility & Practicality | **Active** | [current.md](./challenges/current/current.md) |
| August | "Gridfinity Extravaganza" | Organizational Efficiency | **Archived** | [August-2026.md](./challenges/archive/August-2026.md) |
| July | "Scarf Seams" | Seam Placement & Settings | **Archived** | [July-2026.md](./challenges/archive/July-2026.md) |
| June | "Show & Tell Extravaganza!" | Community Showcase | **Archived** | [June-2026.md](./challenges/archive/June-2026.md) |
| May | "Bring an Experiment (Round 2!)" | Try something new, crazy, or wild | **Archived** | [May-2026.md](./challenges/archive/May-2026.md) |
| April | "Bring an Experiment" | Try something new | **Archived** | [April-2026.md](./challenges/archive/April-2026.md) |
| March | "Bring an Experiment" | Unusual materials and printer limits | **Archived** | [March-2026.md](./challenges/archive/March-2026.md) |
| February | "Bring Your Best" | Proudest and highest-quality print | **Archived** | [February-2026.md](./challenges/archive/February-2026.md) |
| January | "Maker Coin Holder Design" | Desk display and coin holder | **Archived** | [January-2026.md](./challenges/archive/January-2026.md) |

### 2025 Challenges

| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status | File |
|-------|---------------|-------|--------|------|
| December | "Bring Your Test Models" | Calibration & Test Prints | **Archived** | [December-2025.md](./challenges/archive/December-2025.md) |
| November | "Wait, This Was Printed?" | Surface Finish & Layer Lines | **Archived** | [November-2025.md](./challenges/archive/November-2025.md) |
| October | "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" | Transparency & Clarity | **Archived** | [October-2025.md](./challenges/archive/October-2025.md) |

## How Challenges Work

### Challenge Structure

Each monthly challenge includes:

- **Specific theme** focusing on different 3D printing aspects
- **Clear requirements** for models, materials, and techniques
- **Multiple award categories** for different achievements
- **Community judging** during show & tell sessions
- **Documentation sharing** for learning and improvement

### Participation

- **Open to all skill levels** - beginners to experts welcome
- **Bring your submission** to the monthly meetup
- **Share your process** - settings, techniques, and lessons learned
- **Vote on favorites** during community judging
- **Learn from others** through shared experiences

### Awards & Recognition

Each challenge features multiple ways to win:

- **Technical excellence** awards for best execution
- **Innovation** awards for creative approaches
- **People's choice** awards from community voting
- **Category-specific** awards based on challenge theme
- **Social media features** for all participants

## Challenge Development

### Suggesting Challenges

Community members can suggest future challenge themes:

- **Submit ideas** during meetup discussions
- **Discord voting** on proposed themes
- **School partnership** input for educational value
- **Skill development** focus areas

### Challenge Template

For organizers developing new challenges, see our **[Challenge Template & Guidelines](./challenges/readme.md)** which provides the standard structure and guidelines for creating engaging monthly competitions.

---

**Current Focus**: Join us for the September Practi"FALL" Prints challenge and bring your functional prints to the September 16th meetup!