The Becker High School and Legacy Christian Academy Coalition earned top honors in the 2026 PACK Challenge at PACK EXPO International, receiving Overall Best in Show and the $9,000 top prize in the biennial competition, which challenges students to design, build, and demonstrate a fully functional packaging machine.
Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, PACK Challenge gives high school students hands-on experience with packaging technology while putting their engineering, technical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills into practice.
This year, teams were challenged to develop PACK N STACK, a working palletizing system designed to efficiently pack and stack products. Students put their creativity, technical skills, and teamwork to the test as they designed and built their machines, bringing the finished systems to PACK EXPO International for the final stage of competition.
Six finalist teams from Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin advanced to the 2026 finals:
- Alexandria Area High School, Alexandria, Minnesota
- Becker High School/Legacy Christian Academy Coalition, Becker/Andover, Minnesota
- Rich Township High School, Olympia Fields, Illinois
- Sartell High School, Sartell, Minnesota
- South Shore Technical High School, Hanover, Massachusetts
- Waterford Union High School, Waterford, Wisconsin
At PACK EXPO International, the finalists showcased their PACK N STACK systems before industry professionals, educators, and show attendees, demonstrating the results of months of design, engineering, building, programming, testing, and problem-solving.
The Becker High School and Legacy Christian Academy Coalition distinguished itself with an innovative palletizing solution that delivered consistent, efficient product handling, demonstrating strong machine functionality, creative engineering, effective problem-solving, and exceptional teamwork throughout the competition.
“PACK Challenge gives students an opportunity to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to a real-world engineering challenge. Watching these teams take an idea from design through a working machine demonstrates not only what these students are capable of today, but also the tremendous potential they bring to the future of packaging and processing,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI.
PACK Challenge is designed to bridge classroom learning and real-world industry application. Throughout the competition, students gain hands-on experience with packaging technology while working with and learning from industry professionals.
The experience also introduces students to the range of skills and career opportunities available throughout packaging and processing — from engineering and automation to manufacturing, operations, sales, and other technical disciplines.
Following the competition, the PACK N STACK systems will be returned to participating schools for continued use as hands-on learning tools.
Second Place Winners Waterford Union High School.PMMI
2026 PACK Challenge Winners
Overall Best in Show
Awarded to the team with the highest combined point total across all areas of competition.
Overall Best in Show
1st Place ($9,000) - Becker/Legacy Coalition
2nd Place ($4,500) - Waterford Union High School
3rd Place ($2,500) - Sartell High School
Third place winners Sartell High School.PMMI
Marketing/Sales Competition
Awarded to the team that best marketed and presented its machine to the customer.
Marketing & Sales Expert Award ($1,500) - Alexandria Area High School
Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
Awarded to the team whose machine best met competition performance and operator training standards.
1st Place ($1,500) - Becker/Legacy Coalition
Judge’s Award
Recognizes a team for exceptional teamwork, school spirit, creativity, or other qualities that distinguish its work throughout the competition.
1st Place ($1,500) - Rich Township
PACK Challenge reflects PMMI’s commitment to workforce development and inspiring the next generation of engineers, technicians, manufacturers, and packaging professionals. Through hands-on programs such as PACK Challenge, PMMI helps students connect technical education with real-world applications and discover career opportunities across packaging and processing.
To learn more or get involved with future PACK Challenge competitions, visit PACKChallenge.org.
