40 ultimate STEM competitions for middle and high school students
By Sarena Y, Editor of MehtA+ High School Thriving Guide
With the summer being here (finally), students finally have a chance to relax and dive deeper in the fields that they are interested in. For students interested in majoring in STEM, STEM competitions are a great way to learn more about fields they are passionate about. For those seeking mentorship opportunities for competitions or projects, please fill out our Competitive Coaching Form or Project Mentorship Form. For students interested in preparing for programming competitions such as USACO, check out MehtA+ Competitive Programming Bootcamp.
Here is a list of STEM competitions you might want to consider participating in or preparing for this summer.
1. Regeneron Science Talent Search
Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, the Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) recognizes and empowers the nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.
Students must submit a research report describing an original, independent research project that meets all eligibility requirements. Research conducted during any year of high school is eligible for Regeneron STS, but applications must be in Grade 12. Application period is June — November.
Type: Research competition
2. MIT THINK Scholar Program
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is an educational outreach initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that promotes student-led innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. THINK accepts research project proposals from high school students across the US, providing mentorship and funding to a select few to make their idea a reality. The program is open to high school students and is led by a team of undergraduate students as part of MIT TechX, the largest technology club at the Institute. Applications open around November and are due around January.
Type: Research competition and Mentorship
3. Aerial Drone Competition
The Aerial Drone Competition offers an exciting educational drone sporting event that focuses on hands-on, student-centered learning for middle school and high school students. Teams learn about drones, flight principles, programming, documentation and communication skills while expanding their understanding and building interest for Drone-related workforce and career opportunities.
Type: Engineering & Computing competition
4. Canadian Computing Competition
The Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) is a fun challenge for participants with an interest in programming. Designed to be both accessible to participants with some programming experience and to challenge the keenest programmers at the secondary school level, the CCC helps participants build confidence and grow their ability to design, understand and implement algorithms. The CCC is held online in February.
Type: Computing competition
5. Solar Car Challenge
The Solar Car Challenge is the top project-based STEM Initiative helping motivate students in Science, Engineering, and Alternative Energy. In 1993, the Solar Car Team launched an education program to teach high school students how to build and safely race roadworthy solar cars. The Solar Car Challenge Education Program met this objective, and worked to provide hands-on workshops, virtual learning videos, curriculum materials, and on-site visits for high schools across the country. The end product of each two-year education cycle is the Solar Car Challenge: a closed-track event at the world famous Texas Motor Speedway, or a cross country race designed to give students an opportunity to display and drive their solar cars.
Type: Engineering competition and Internship
6. ArcGIS Online Competition
The ArcGIS Online Competition is a mapping competition in the United States where students analyze, interpret, and present data via ArcGIS StoryMaps. Students in grades 4–12 in public or nonpublic schools (including home schools) are eligible to compete.
Type: Mapping and Computing competition
7. Genes in Space
A competition in which students design DNA experiments that address a challenge in space exploration. It is open to US citizen or resident in grades 7–12. Students will present proposals to the Genes in Space judges for a chance to win. Winners will receive complete P51 Fluorescence Biotechnology Kits for their schools. 5 Finalists receive mentoring from Harvard and MIT scientists. The application period typically starts in January
Type: Space biology competition
8. Microsoft Imagine Cup
Microsoft Imagine Cup is the premier global student technology competition that offers students just like you the opportunity to unleash their passion and purpose to develop inspiring leading-edge technology solutions in one of four competition categories — Earth, Education, Health, and Lifestyle — that could make a difference in the world. Students can tap into their entrepreneurial side and actively take steps towards bringing their ideas to life and making their dreams come true.
The Imagine Cup is full of opportunities to gain new skills, access exclusive training, unlock mentorship opportunities, and have a chance to win great prizes and make a difference in the world. Applications open up in December.
Type: Innovation competition
9. Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science. Participation in the challenge has grown exponentially and has reached underserved, diverse, and rural student population. Middle or high school student who can register as individuals or as teams of up to four living in an eligible district in US can participate.
Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website, House.gov and invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C. Student’s pre-registration begins on April 1. Challenge officially launches on June 15 and ends on November 1.
Type: Computer science competition
10. Future Problem Solving Program International
The purpose of Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) is to facilitate students’ ability to design and achieve positive futures using an authentic creative problem solving model. GIPS is a competitive component of Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI). It is a team or individual activity in which participants research a series of global topics and learn the six-step Creative Problem Solving Process. Students in Grades 4–12 are eligible to participate.
Type: Innovation Program and Competition
11. Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
A Rube Goldberg Machine® is made from found or discarded household items. These contraptions come from landfill, rather than contributing to it and are essentially green machines! This content is open to US and international students and is free to participate for individuals and teams. The contest accepts rolling submissions with a deadline typically around March.
Type: Engineering competition
12. MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge
Mathematical modeling refers to the process of creating a mathematical representation of a real-world scenario to make a prediction or provide insight. MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge) is a free contest for high school juniors and seniors in the U.S and UK on the topic of math modeling. The Challenge is entirely Internet-based with no registration or participation fees. Scholarships totaling $100,000 (>£75,000) are awarded annually.
There are no registration/participation fees, and teams determined to have the best solution papers receive special recognition in the form of tuition scholarships for college education.
Type: Math team competition
13. Australian Space Design Competition
The Australian Space Design Competition (ASDC) is designed for secondary school students with a passion for space, or are considering a future in STEM fields. Teams of up to 12 grade 8 — 12 students respond to an engineering Request For Tender (RFT) and design a futuristic space settlement, planning structural engineering, operations and infrastructure, personnel factors, automation, and business development.
Teams will produce a tender response (maximum 50 pages), which details how the design meets the requirements established in the RFT. Event launches in March and registration opens in June
Type: Space competition
14. Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition
The School of Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition provides school-aged students with the opportunity to understand what it means to conduct mathematical and statistical research. Students must be enrolled in an Australian or New Zealand government or non-government school, or registered home school. The competition is open to three age categories from Grades 5–6, 7–9 and 10-12. Research question books is available on Pi Day and the deadline for submissions is in July. It is free to participate.
Type: Mathematics research competition
15. BioGENEius Competition
Well established as the Biotechnology Institute’s “flagship” program, the BioGENEius Challenge Series provides high school age students with expanded opportunity to compete and be recognized for outstanding research in biotechnology. Drawn from state and regional science competitions across the more than thirty State and International partners, top finalists representing the upper 5% of applicants showcase their research at the BIO International Convention to some 16,000 attendees and a panel of judges comprised of industry and academic subject matter experts in March.
Type: Biotechnology research competition
16. Future City Competition
Future City is a program of DiscoverE. DiscoverE is a nonprofit dedicated to providing global resources, programs, and connections between K-12 students and engineers and STEM professionals. In the Future City competition, students imagine, research, design, and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue.
Type: Engineering competition
17. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) promotes research and experimentation at the high school level and supports students’ future STEM pursuits through scholarships and recognition. Registering for JSHS is of no cost to student participants. Participating students have the opportunity to present their STEM research in a forum of their peers and professional STEM personnel representing the Department of Defense, federal research laboratories, and academia.
Type: Research competition
18. The Hardest Math Problem Contest
The Hardest Math Problem Student Contest is an annual competition presented by Scholastic, The Actuarial Foundation, and the New York Life Foundation that challenges grades 6–8 students to solve multistep, grade-appropriate math problems with real-world situations and engaging characters. Plus, 5th graders are eligible to participate by reaching to a higher grade level!
Type: Math competition
19. Space Settlement Design Competitions
Aerospace Education Competitions (AEC) run Space Settlement Design Competitions® — events that provide interactive, high-tempo, and dynamic environments for students to further their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. High school students must design a future space settlement or habitat to a very specific set of requirements defined by a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Type: Space competition
20. Young Scientist Challenge
The annual challenge asks students in 5–8 grade to submit with a 1–2 minute video and create an original solution to an existing problem. Students will have the chance to win $25,000 and an exclusive mentorship with a 3M Scientist. Challenge typically opens in December.
Type: Innovation competition
21. Space Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition
High school and undergraduate students are invited to join the Space Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition. Students must research a problem that exists for people on Earth, people living in space (now or in the future), or the future of space exploration and create a business solution to that problem. Students can work by themselves or in a team of up to 5 students to create a 10 page business proposal and pitch deck. The pitch competition takes place from January — March. Results are announced in April.
Type: Innovation and Space competition
22. Solve for Tomorrow
A nationwide education and innovation competition for Gen Z, Solve for Tomorrow is on the lookout for ambitious 16–22 year olds who can solve global issues with game-changing tech solutions. Three best ideas stand a chance to win a total of ₹1.5 crores. And that’s in addition to advanced training by FITT, IIT-Delhi, mentorship by Samsung and Government experts as well as the opportunity to visit Samsung sites across the country. It’s time to turn dreams for a sustainable future into reality. It’s time to Solve for Tomorrow. Applications open in April and close in May
Type: Innovation competition
23. Premier Competition
Every November, hundreds of high school-level students around the world showcase their skills by compete in Physics Unlimited Premier Competition. Competitors are given 1.5 hours to write their solutions to approximately four problems of the level and scope roughly equivalent to what one may expect in U.S.-based AP Physics 1, 2, and/or C curricula. Problems may cover areas beyond classical mechanics. The standard prizes include gold, silver, and bronze-level recognition certificates, in addition to honorable mention certificates
Type: Physics competition
24. Stanford Math Tournament
The Stanford Math Tournament (SMT) is a high school math tournament run by students at Stanford University. Students participate in teams of 5–6. Tournament takes place in April.
Type: Math competition
25. Sir Isaac Newton Exam
The Sir Isaac Newton (SIN) Exam is a test of high school physics and is offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo to encourage the teaching of physics. The test, although challenging, is meant to be refreshing and fun. Political and other topical humor have marked SIN exams for years. Students participate from across Canada, the USA and abroad. The application deadline is usually around April
Type: Physics competition
26. EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Every year, the EngineerGirl website hosts a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world. The topic and detailed instructions for the contest are posted in September with a deadline for submissions inFebruary of the following year. Winners are announced in the spring. The 2023 EngineerGirl Writing Contest asks elementary to high school students to write a piece that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. 1st place winners receive $500, 2nd place winners receive $250 and 3rd place winners will receive $100.
Type: Writing and research competition
27. Vex Robotics Competitions
Vex Robotics Competitions are open to Grades 3–12. VEX Robotics Competition Over Under is played on a 12’ x 12’ square field configured as seen above. Two Alliances — one “red” and one “blue” — composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen second autonomous period, followed by a one minute and forty-five second driver controlled period.
Type: Robotics competition
28. Neuroscience Research Prize
This award is designed to encourage high school students to explore the world of the brain and nervous system through research, identify and reward those students whose scientific skill and talent indicate potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience, and recognize the efforts of science teachers who have demonstrated support for students interested in neuroscience. Various prizes for winners and their teachers. Award applications are due November.
Type: Neuroscience research competition
29. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a competition for students aged 15 to 20 who have developed research projects that can help solve major water challenges. The competition attracts tens of thousands of entries from over 40 countries.
Type: Environmental Science research competition
30. Conrad Challenge
Over the course of the year, teams of 2–5 students and a coach will go step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process and design an innovation that solves an important problem. Challenge categories include CyberTechnology & Security, Aerospace & Aviation, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition. Students aged 13–18 can participate.
Type: Innovation competition
31. American Rocketry Challenge
The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems. Prizes range from $500 to $3000.
Type: Engineering competition
32. CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition
CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is the world’s largest cybersecurity competition where middle school and high school students find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems. Each CyberPatriot team must consist of between two and six competitors enrolled in the participating school or organization. Team registration takes place April — October.
Type: Cybersecurity competition
33. American Computer Science League
ACSL organizes computer science contests and computer programming contests for elementary, junior, and senior high school students. Over 300 teams in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia participate. Students from grades 3 to 12 can participate. Teams of 2 to 3 students compete in order to win a team award. Individual participation is also possible. Deadline is in December.
Type: Computational competition
34. Envirothon
NCF-Envirothon is an annual environmentally themed academic competition for high school aged students organized by the NCF-Envirothon, a program of the National Conservation Foundation where students work on environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving.
Type: Environmental Science competition
35. RoboRAVE
RoboRave is a program that teaches students robotic program and offers various challenges for students aged 8 and older. Challenges include designing, building and programming an autonomous robot that can search for and push an opponent sumo robot off of an elevated wrestling ring and a robot that can follow a raised wooden maze without falling off.
Type: Robotics program and competition
36. ExploraVision
In the ExploraVision STEM competition, K-12 students in USA and Canada pick a technology they want to improve, form a team and research on how they can improve the technology. Projects include abstract, no more than 11 page description that outlines the present technology, history, future technology, breakthroughs, design process and consequences.
Type: Innovation competition
37. International Bridge Building Competition
The construction and testing of model bridges promotes the study and application of fundamental principles physics and also helps high school students develop “hands on” skills in the International Bridge Building Competition. By participating in the Bridge Building Competition students get a flavor of what it is to be an engineer, designing structures to a set of specifications and then seeing them perform their function.
Type: Engineering competition
38. Shell Eco-Marathon
Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s leading student engineering competitions focused on energy optimization. At its very base iteration, conceived 35 years ago, teams are asked to design, build and drive some of the world’s most energy-efficient vehicles. The academic program currently challenges STEM students across the globe to tackle the energy challenges of today — in areas as diverse as mobility, artificial intelligence, and the urban environment. Students must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of competition.
Type: Engineering competition
39. International Chemistry Quiz
The International Chemistry Quiz consists of 30 multiple choice chemistry questions to be answered in one hour and is open to Grades 7–12. Competition is administered to students in Australia, US, UK, Canada, India, Germany and China among other select countries.
Type: Chemistry competition
40: National Cyber Olympiad
Organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation, the National Cyber Olympiad is open for students in Grades 1–10 in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. The question paper consists of 50 multiple choice questions divided in three sections — Logical Reasoning, Computers and Information Technology and Achievers Section.
Type: Computing competition
Bonus: Olympiads
Some of the most challenging academic competitions are international Olympiads. Here are 6 olympiads for high school students.
Type: STEM competition
1. International Mathematics Olympiad
Students in the USA qualify for International Mathematics Olympiad if they participate in AMC (American Mathematics Competition), advance to AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) and advance to USAMO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad) and do exceedingly well in the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program.
2. International Chemistry Olympiad
Students in the USA qualify for International Chemistry Olympiad if they pass the local exam, the national round and do exceedingly well in the USNCO (US National Chemistry Olympiad) camp.
3. International Biology Olympiad
Students in the USA qualify for International Biology Olympiad if they pass the open exam, the semi-final round and do exceedingly well in the USABO (USA Biology Olympiad) National Finals.
4. International Physics Olympiad
Students in the USA qualify for International Physics Olympiad if they do exceedingly well in the F=ma exam and the USA Physics Olympiad.
5. International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics
Students in the USA qualify for International Olympiad on Astronomy if they do exceedingly well in the First Round and the National Astronomy Competition.
6. International Olympiad in Informatics
Students in the USA qualify for International Olympiad in Informatics if they do exceedingly well in the USA Computing Olympiad. MehtA+’s Competitive Programming Bootcamp prepares students for International Olympiad in Informatics.
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Good luck! Happy learning!
