Science and STEM Competitions for High School and Middle School Students: Math Olympiads, Science Bowls, Robotics & Coding
Jun 03, 2026Andy Steinbach, PhD in physics · Founder, Bay AI Institute
This guide covers the major science and STEM competitions for high school and middle school students: math olympiads, science bowls, robotics and engineering challenges, coding and cybersecurity contests, hackathons, and AI competitions. These reward what you know, what you can build, and how fast you can solve hard problems, which sets them apart from original research projects. (For competitions built around a research project, see our companion guide to science research competitions for high school and middle school students; to publish your work, see research journals for high school students.) There are dozens, grouped by type and numbered sequentially. Use the section headings to find what fits.
Competitions like these are one of several parallel tracks the most serious STEM students build over time, alongside science fairs, research papers, and lab work. Most run more than one at once, or stagger them across the years, and one often opens the door to the next: a middle schooler on a Science Bowl team grows into a subject olympiad in high school. It is also the area where strong students start earliest. Math competitions and Science Bowl routinely begin in middle school, and the training behind them begins earlier still. The competitions open to middle schoolers are gathered in the Start Early section at the end.
Updated May 2026. Links verified.
Science and Math Olympiads
The olympiad pipeline competitions are in a category of their own. Each one runs a multi-stage national competition that selects a small team to represent the U.S. at the corresponding international olympiad. Reaching the national exam level is a legitimate accomplishment; making a national team is exceptional. These competitions are intensely preparation-heavy. Plan at least a full academic year ahead.
1. USA Mathematics Olympiad (USAMO) / USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO)
Grades 9–12 (USAMO) · Grade 10 and below (USAJMO) · U.S. only → International (IMO) · maa.org
The flagship U.S. math olympiad. The path runs AMC 10 or AMC 12 → American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) → USAJMO or USAMO → International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The AMC exams are the entry point; only top scorers are invited to AIME, and only top AIME scorers qualify for the olympiad itself. Six students represent the U.S. at IMO each summer.
Advice: AoPS (artofproblemsolving.com) is the primary training ground. The forums, textbooks, and mock contests are where serious competitors prepare.
Deadline: AMC 10/12 typically in November. AIME in February. USAMO/USAJMO in March–April.
2. AMC 8 / AMC 10 / AMC 12 (American Mathematics Competitions)
AMC 8: Grade 8 and below · AMC 10: Grade 10 and below · AMC 12: Grade 12 and below · U.S. and international · maa.org/student-programs/amc
The AMC exams are the entry point for the U.S. math olympiad pipeline and also valuable standalone competitions. AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute exam for middle schoolers. AMC 10 and AMC 12 are 25-question, 75-minute exams; top scorers qualify for the AIME. Students can take both AMC 10 and AMC 12 if eligible.
Advice: Past AMC exams are free on the MAA website. Working through them chronologically is the most efficient preparation.
Deadline: AMC 8 typically in January. AMC 10/12 typically in November (two dates offered).
3. USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only → International (IBO) · usabo-trc.org
Three-stage competition: Open Exam (multiple choice, all eligible students) → Semifinal Exam (top ~10%) → National Finals (top 20, residential) → U.S. team of 4 at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). The Open Exam tests breadth across all biology subdisciplines; the deeper rounds require genuine depth.
Advice: Campbell Biology is the standard prep resource; supplement with past IBO exams, which are harder and more applied than the USABO.
Deadline: Open Exam typically in February. Semifinal in April. IBO in July.
4. U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only → International (IChO) · acs.org/education/olympiad
Administered by the American Chemical Society through local sections. The Local Exam is school-based; top scorers advance to the National Exam (three-part, 5.5 hours); the top 20 attend a two-week residential Study Camp, and four students are selected for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).
Advice: The ACS Olympiad Prep booklets and past Local/National exams are the core study materials. Start with the Local Exam level and work up.
Deadline: Local Exam window typically late February–mid March. National Exam in April.
5. USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only → International (IPhO) · aapt.org
Qualifying exam is the F=ma (a 75-minute, 25-question multiple-choice mechanics exam open to all). Top scorers take the USAPhO exam; the top 20 attend a two-week training camp at University of Maryland; five students travel to the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
Advice: The F=ma exam is the realistic first target. Master Newtonian mechanics completely before worrying about E&M or modern physics.
Deadline: F=ma exam typically in January. USAPhO in April.
6. USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
Grades 9–12 (and younger) · U.S. only → International (IOI) · usaco.org
USACO runs four online contests per year across four divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Students promote through divisions based on contest performance. The top competitors qualify for the U.S. team at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). Entirely online. Students compete from home.
Advice: Start at Bronze regardless of your coding experience and focus on learning algorithmic patterns, not just language syntax. USACO tests problem-solving, not coding speed.
Deadline: Contests run December, January, February, and March. Each contest is open for four days.
7. U.S. Earth Science Olympiad (USESO)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only → International (IESO) · useso.org
National Open Exam each spring covering geology, meteorology, oceanography, and solar system astronomy. Top scorers are invited to a week-long residential training camp in June; eight students are selected for the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO).
Advice: The least competitive of the major U.S. olympiads by participation. Strong earth science students who find biology or chemistry too crowded have a real opportunity here.
Deadline: National Open Exam typically in spring. IESO held in summer/fall.
8. USA Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only → International (IOAA) · usaaao.org
Three-round competition selecting the five-member U.S. team for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA). Covers classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and astrophysics (broader in scope than it sounds). $30 registration fee.
Advice: Physics preparation (especially mechanics and E&M) transfers directly. Students who have done USAPhO prep have a significant head start.
Deadline: First Round typically January–February. IOAA held in September.
9. USA Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (USAAIO)
Under age 20 · U.S. and Canada → International (IOAI) · usaaio.org
Brand-new pipeline: among the first national AI olympiad programs in the world. Three-round competition selecting the U.S. team for the International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI). Round 2 is held in-person at MIT/Harvard. The IOAI launched in 2024; the 2026 competition will be held in Kazakhstan.
Advice: This is early enough in the program's history that the prep community is still forming. Check usaaio.org and follow the organizers directly for study resources.
Deadline: Round 1 open (check usaaio.org for current cycle dates). IOAI held in summer.
Math Competitions
Beyond the olympiad pipeline, there are dozens of math competitions ranging from middle school through high school. These reward speed, problem-solving pattern recognition, and creative thinking (different skills than the olympiad exams).
10. MATHCOUNTS Competition Series
Grades 6–8 · U.S. only · mathcounts.org
The most widely participated middle school math competition in the U.S. Four competition levels: School, Chapter, State, and National. Each level has Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown rounds. The national competition sends the top competitors from all 50 states to an in-person national final.
Deadline: Chapter competitions in February. State in March. National in May.
11. American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)
Grade 12 and below, age 18 or younger · U.S. and international · armlcontest.com
Annual national team competition where regional teams of 15 compete simultaneously at five university sites across the country. Team, Power, Individual, and Relay rounds. No calculators. One of the oldest high school math competitions, founded in 1976. Qualification is through regional selection; check your state or regional ARML team.
Deadline: Competition held in late May (typically Memorial Day weekend).
12. Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)
High school students, under age 21 · International · hmmt.org
One of the most competitive high school math tournaments in the world, organized by Harvard and MIT undergraduates. Two separate competitions per year, November and February, with individual and team rounds. Problems skew significantly harder than AMC/AIME.
Deadline: November tournament registration opens in September. February tournament registration opens in October.
13. Princeton University Mathematics Competition (PUMaC)
Grades 9–12 · International · pumac.princeton.edu
Organized by Princeton's undergraduate math club. Features individual rounds, team rounds, and a Power Round: an extended, proof-based exploration of a single mathematical topic. Teams of up to eight. Historically one of the stronger university-hosted competitions.
Deadline: Registration typically opens in September. Competition in late November.
14. Carnegie Mellon Informatics and Mathematics Competition (CMIMC)
High school students · International · cmimc.org
Covers both mathematics and computer science in the same competition. Students can compete in math only, CS only, or both. The CS component involves algorithmic programming challenges. In-person at Carnegie Mellon University.
Deadline: Competition typically in late March. Registration opens in January.
15. MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge)
Grades 11–12 · U.S. only (plus sixth form students in England and Wales) · m3challenge.siam.org
Teams of 3–5 students have 14 hours to build a mathematical model addressing a real-world problem revealed at the start of the window. No advance knowledge of the problem. SIAM and MathWorks offer $100,000 in total scholarships. Tests applied mathematical modeling, not mathematical knowledge.
Deadline: Registration typically closes in February. Challenge window in late February–early March. Finalist presentations in NYC in April.
16. International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM2C)
High school students · International (via national teams) · immchallenge.org
Global modeling competition; teams of four choose any five consecutive days within the contest window to work on a real-world problem. Participation is organized through national teams. Contact your country's math organization to enter.
Deadline: Contest window typically February–April. Contact your national team for local deadline.
17. Modeling the Future Challenge
Grades 11–12 in high-level math courses · U.S. only · actuarialfoundation.org
Teams use mathematical modeling and data to analyze a real-world risk problem: the core methodology of actuarial science. Strong fit for students considering actuarial science, statistics, or quantitative finance.
Deadline: Registration typically opens end of August for the following academic year. Submissions close in late winter.
Science Knowledge and Bowl Competitions
18. National Science Bowl
Middle and high school students · U.S. only · energy.gov/science/national-science-bowl
Quiz bowl-style competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and math. Teams of four to five compete in rapid-fire buzzer rounds. Regional competitions qualify teams for the national finals in Washington, D.C. in April.
Deadline: Regional competition registration deadlines vary; many are in October. National finals in April.
19. Science Olympiad
Middle and high school students · U.S. only · soinc.org
Note: not the same as the international Science Olympiads (IChO, IPhO, etc.). This is an entirely separate program. Team competition with up to 23 events covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering. Events range from written exams to hands-on design challenges. Regional and state competitions feed into a national tournament.
Deadline: Invitational tournaments run fall–spring. State competitions in spring. National Tournament in May.
20. National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only · nosb.org
Quiz bowl-style competition focused on oceanography: biology, chemistry, geology, geography, physics, and ocean technology. Funded by NOAA. About 25 regional competitions across the U.S. feed a national final. Approximately 2,000 students from 350 schools compete annually.
Deadline: Regional competition dates vary by location, typically January–March. National final in April.
21. International Brain Bee (IBB)
Ages 13–19 · International · thebrainbee.org
Neuroscience knowledge competition with local, national, and international levels. Participants study a designated resource covering brain anatomy, physiology, neurochemistry, and cognitive function, then compete in quiz format. 25,000+ competitors from 40+ countries.
Deadline: Local and national competition dates vary by country. International competition typically in fall.
22. International Research Olympiad (IRO)
Ages 13–18 · International · internationalresearcholympiad.org
Olympiad-format competition focused on research skills (scientific reasoning, experimental design, and data interpretation) rather than content memorization. Three stages: online Opens, remote Semifinals, and in-person Finals at Harvard. 3,000+ students from 80+ countries in the 2025 cycle.
Deadline: Opens registration typically in January. Semifinals in April. In-person Finals in June.
23. PhysicsBowl
High school students · International · aapt.org
Annual international multiple-choice physics exam organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. Proctored at schools or designated testing centers within a set window.
Deadline: Registration typically closes in February. Exam window March–April.
24. Chemistry High School Exams (Chem 13 News / Avogadro)
Grades 11–12 · International (ordered through teachers) · cemc.uwaterloo.ca
Two exams from the University of Waterloo's Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC): Chem 13 News (Grade 12) and the Avogadro Exam (Grade 11). Two-hour written exams on stoichiometry, bonding, acid-base chemistry, and standard HS topics. Doing well is noted by Waterloo admissions.
Deadline: Teachers must order in advance. Exams typically held in May.
25. NCF-Envirothon
High school students · North America (U.S. and Canada) · envirothon.org
North America's largest environmental education competition. Teams of five are tested on five stations: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and a rotating current environmental issue. 25,000+ students participate annually. Regional and state competitions feed a national final; national competitors receive all-expenses-paid travel.
Deadline: State competition dates vary. National competition typically in July.
26. DNA Day Essay Contest (American Society of Human Genetics)
Grades 9–12 · International · Free · ashg.org
Annual essay contest on a genetics or genomics topic, run by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). The ASHG publishes clear guidance on common mistakes (imprecise technical language, sweeping claims about the future of genetics, outdated references), worth reading as a model of good science writing regardless of whether you enter.
Deadline: Submissions open January; close in early March. Results announced April.
Coding and Cybersecurity
27. Canadian Computing Competition (CCC / CEMC)
High school students · U.S. and international (open globally) · cemc.uwaterloo.ca
Three-hour, five-question online programming contest organized by the University of Waterloo's CEMC. Three levels: Junior (Grade 10 and under), Senior (Grades 11–12). Open to students internationally. Waterloo is unusually transparent that strong CCC performance influences their CS admissions decisions.
Deadline: Contest typically in February.
28. American Computer Science League (ACSL)
K–12 · International · acsl.org
48-year-old annual CS competition with four online contests per year, each combining a written "shorts" section (theory and logic) and a programming section. Five divisions from Elementary through Senior. 7,000+ students from 21 countries. Top scorers are invited to an online Finals.
Deadline: Four contests spread across the school year (typically November–April). Finals in May.
29. picoCTF
Open to all ages 13+ · Free · Prizes for U.S. middle/high school students only · picoctf.org
Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition from Carnegie Mellon University. Challenges cover binary exploitation, reverse engineering, web vulnerabilities, forensics, and cryptography. Beginner-friendly entry point with a permanent practice arena (picoPractice) available year-round. Teams of up to five.
Deadline: Annual competition typically in March, running approximately 10 days.
30. US CyberPatriot
High school students, homeschoolers, youth organizations · U.S. only · uscyberpatriot.org
National cybersecurity competition organized by the Air Force Association (AFA). Teams secure virtual networks against simulated cyberattacks by identifying vulnerabilities, applying patches, and hardening configurations. Covers OS hardening, network security, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. Multiple divisions accommodate different experience levels.
Deadline: Registration typically opens in April for the following fall season. Competition runs fall through spring.
31. CyberStart America
High school students · U.S. only · Free · cyberstartamerica.org
Free online cybersecurity game with 200+ challenges covering web security, Linux, cryptography, and coding. Top scorers qualify for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition, which distributes $2 million in college scholarships annually. The primary on-ramp to the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) ecosystem. Note that CyberPatriot and picoCTF are also qualifying pathways to NCSF scholarships.
Deadline: Game runs November–March. Scholarship competition in spring.
32. Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge
Grades 3–12 · International · Free · bebraschallenge.org
The world's largest computing competition by participation: 2.5 million students across 96 countries. A 45-minute, 15-problem multiple-choice challenge covering computational thinking: algorithms, data representation, logic, and problem decomposition. No prior CS knowledge required. The lowest-barrier entry point to CS competition for students who have never competed before.
Deadline: Annual competition held each November during "Bebras Week."
33. CALICO (California Informatics Competition)
High school students and below · International · Free · calico.cs.berkeley.edu
Biannual algorithmic programming competition hosted by UC Berkeley undergraduates. Teams of up to three. Online or in-person at UC Berkeley. Problems range from beginner to advanced. Prizes for pre-college participants only.
Deadline: Fall competition typically in October. Spring competition in April.
34. Lockheed Martin Code Quest
High school students · U.S. only · Free · lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/communities/codequest.html
Annual 2.5-hour programming competition at approximately 27 sites. Teams of 2–3 solve 20–30 engineering-focused problems in Java, Python, C#, or C++. Novice and Advanced divisions. Run by Lockheed Martin engineers, not educators. The problems have a real engineering flavor.
Deadline: Competition typically held in April or May. Registration opens in January.
Robotics and Engineering
35. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
High school students · International · firstinspires.org/robotics/frc
Teams receive a Kit of Parts in January and have six weeks to design, build, and program an industrial-sized robot to compete in that year's game challenge. Season runs January through April; World Championship in April. Teams can join an existing local team or start one. Find teams at firstinspires.org.
Deadline: Game challenge announced in January. Regional competitions February–April. World Championship in April.
36. FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Grades 7–12 · International · firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc
Smaller-scale robotics competition than FRC. Robots fit in an 18-inch cube. More accessible entry point for teams without large budgets or shop facilities. Same FIRST structure: season game revealed in September, competitions run fall through spring, World Championship in April. Teams of 2–15 students.
Deadline: Season begins September. Qualifying events October–February. World Championship in April.
37. FIRST LEGO League (FLL)
Ages 9–16 (grades K–8) · International · firstinspires.org/programs/fll
The main middle school entry point to the FIRST robotics ecosystem. Teams of 2–10 students build and program a LEGO robot to complete a game field challenge, while also developing an original research project on a real-world problem and presenting it to judges. Season begins in August; regional and state competitions run fall through winter. Note: LEGO Education has announced it will not renew its partnership with FIRST after the 2026–2027 season. The program's future structure is in transition, but the 2026–27 season proceeds normally.
Deadline: Season kickoff in August. Regional/state competitions October–February. World Festival in April.
38. VEX Robotics World Championship
Middle and high school students · International · vexrobotics.com
Teams design, build, and program robots to complete field challenges with autonomous and driver-controlled phases. The VEX season culminates at the World Championship in St. Louis each April. Separate divisions for high school, middle school, and elementary/middle school. Grants available for qualifying teams.
Deadline: Qualify through regional events (fall–spring). World Championship in late April.
39. MATE ROV Competition
Open to all ages and levels · International · materovcompetition.org
Teams design, build, and operate underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that complete real-world marine tasks: surveying, sampling, navigation, and manipulation. Judged on vehicle performance, design documentation, and engineering communication. Regional competitions feed a world championship held each June.
Deadline: Regional competition dates vary. World Championship registration typically closes in May.
40. American Rocketry Challenge
Grades 6–12 · U.S. citizens and permanent residents · rocketrychallenge.org
The largest student rocketry competition in the United States, organized by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). Teams of 3–10 design, build, and launch model rockets to hit specific performance targets. Top 100 teams advance to a national fly-off. Prize totals typically up to $100,000.
Deadline: Registration typically opens in July. Finalists announced April. National fly-off in May.
41. Solar Car Challenge
Grades 9–12 · U.S. only · solarcarchallenge.org
Teams design, build, and race solar-powered cars. The competition alternates between a closed-track race at Texas Motor Speedway and a cross-country event. Vehicles must be fully student-built. One of the few competitions where students build something they physically drive.
Deadline: Intent-to-Race deadline typically January 31. Final Report deadline March 1. Race held in July.
42. TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
Grades 6–12 · U.S. only · tsaweb.org/teams
One-day engineering challenge administered by the Technology Student Association (TSA). Teams of 2–4 tackle a real-world engineering problem across four components: Design/Build, Multiple Choice, Mathematical Modeling, and Essay. No TSA membership required to participate.
Deadline: National finals typically in June in Washington, D.C. Check website for qualifying event dates.
43. STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools)
Ages 9–19 · International · stemracing.com
Supported by Formula 1. Student teams design, build, brand, and race miniature F1-style cars. The program covers engineering, marketing, and project management. Three tracks: Discovery (classroom), Primary (ages 9–11), and Secondary (ages 11–19, three competitive classes).
Deadline: Check stemracing.com. Competition calendar varies by country and region.
AI, Data Science, and Technology
44. Global AI Hackathon (MIT RAISE)
Under age 18 (adult category also available) · International · raise.mit.edu
Hosted by MIT RAISE and the App Inventor Foundation. Participants develop an AI application aligned to the year's theme. Individual or team. Annual competition that began in 2024.
Deadline: Registrations typically open in March. Check raise.mit.edu for the current year's event page.
45. Presidential AI Challenge
Grades 9–12 · U.S. citizens and permanent residents · orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge
Government-run competition where teams of 1–4 students develop an AI project addressing a community challenge. National recognition event in Washington, D.C. Run by ORISE (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education).
Deadline: Registration typically closes in December. National event in June.
USA Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (USAAIO)
(See entry #9 in the Science and Math Olympiads section above.) · usaaio.org
46. Apex High School AI Championship
Grades 9–12, age 14+ · U.S. only · correlation-one.com/apex-high-school-championship
Data science and AI team competition run by Correlation One, a workforce training firm. Teams solve real data problems across multiple rounds. $50,000+ in prizes. Rolling applications.
Deadline: Rolling. Check website for current cycle dates.
47. Congressional App Challenge
Middle and high school students · U.S. only (by congressional district) · congressionalappchallenge.us
Students submit a functioning app on any platform to their local U.S. House representative's office. Winners are recognized by their representative and may have their app displayed on the House website. Strong fit for students with CS or app development backgrounds.
Deadline: Submissions typically open in May and close in October.
48. Microsoft Imagine Cup
Students age 16+, enrolled in school · International · imaginecup.microsoft.com
Global technology competition where teams of up to three build projects addressing real-world problems using Microsoft technology. Categories include cybersecurity, health and life sciences, and education. Teams compete at national then world championship levels. Faculty advisor required.
Deadline: Applications typically open in fall. World Championship in spring.
Hackathons
49. Blueprint (HackMIT)
High school students · International (travel not reimbursed) · blueprint.hackmit.org
10-hour hackathon hosted by MIT's undergraduate hackathon organization. Teams build software or hardware projects and attend workshops. Tracks include hardware, mobile, and web development. Lodging and food included for admitted participants; travel is not. Acceptance is competitive.
Deadline: Applications open in January. Event held in February.
50. HackHarvard
High school and college students · International · hackharvard.io
36-hour hackathon run by Harvard students, focused on social impact and entrepreneurship alongside technical development. Teams build software or hardware projects. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, and networking.
Deadline: Applications typically open end of August. Event held in October.
Design, Innovation, and Science Communication
51. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Ages 13–18 · International · breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org
Science communication competition: students submit a two-minute video explaining a complex scientific concept to a general audience. Winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship and their school receives a $100,000 STEM lab grant, among the largest student prizes in any category. The video format forces a level of conceptual clarity most students never achieve in a classroom.
Deadline: Applications open May 1. Submission deadline in September.
52. James Dyson Award
Current students and recent graduates in engineering or design · International · jamesdysonaward.org/en-GB
For student engineers and designers solving a real problem with an original invention. Recent emphasis on sustainability. Winners receive cash prizes and media exposure. The media coverage is often more valuable long-term than the prize. A submission or shortlist placement signals you're building real things.
Deadline: Entries typically open in March. National deadlines in July; international stage in fall.
53. National High School Design Challenge (Cooper Hewitt)
High school students · U.S. only · cooperhewitt.org
Run by Cooper Hewitt, the Smithsonian's design museum. Students receive a design brief and develop a solution: physical products, digital prototypes, architectural proposals, or systems design. Submissions evaluated on creativity, functionality, feasibility, and sustainability. Five regional winners advance; select entries are featured on Cooper Hewitt's website.
Deadline: Registration deadline typically in February. Virtual Regional Winners Day in May.
54. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
K–12 · U.S. and Canada · exploravision.org
Teams of 2–4 students imagine what a current technology will look like 20 years from now and develop a detailed scientific proposal, five webpages of supporting materials, and an abstract. Top prizes are $10,000 savings bonds per team member. One of the longer-running competitions on this list, now in its 34th year.
Deadline: Submission deadline typically in late January.
55. AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
High school students · International · aapt.org
Students submit a photograph that creatively illustrates a physics concept. Judged on both the physics content and image quality. Unusual combination of interests. If you have both photography and physics, worth the low barrier to entry.
Deadline: Registration and submission typically March–May.
56. The Junior Academy (New York Academy of Sciences)
Ages 13–17 · International · Free · nyas.org/learning/junior-academy
Eight- to ten-week online innovation challenges where students work in teams mentored by STEM professionals to solve a real-world problem. Multiple challenges run per year across different topics. Free to participate; no prior experience required.
Deadline: Multiple challenge cycles per year. Check website for current openings.
Non-STEM and Entrepreneurship Competitions
The following competitions attract technically-minded students but aren't primarily STEM. Included here for completeness.
57. Conrad Challenge
Ages 13–18 · International · conrad.spacecenter.org
Entrepreneurship and innovation competition running teams through three phases: Activation (brainstorm, Lean Canvas), Innovation (judge feedback), and the Innovation Summit at the Houston Space Center. The Summit costs $499 per attendee plus travel. Categories include aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, health, and water.
Deadline: New round typically opens in August. Summit held in April.
58. Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
High school and college students · International · Free · blueoceancompetition.org
Virtual entrepreneurship competition. Teams submit a business plan and pitch video (uploaded to YouTube), then advance through Top 100, Top 30, Top 10, and winner rounds. Includes a Popular Choice Award determined by public vote.
Deadline: Submission deadline typically in late February. Winners announced in May.
59. Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition
Ages 13–18 · International · Free · cambridge-research.org/essay-competition
Analytical essay on a prompt contributed by professors at top universities. Topics span science, ethics, economics, technology, and social issues. Winners receive a cash prize, CCIR Academy scholarship, and an invitation to an awards ceremony at Cambridge. Free to enter.
Deadline: Typically in early April.
Start Early: Competitions for Middle School Students
Most competitions on this list run through high school, but in this category the strongest students often begin years earlier, and many of these welcome middle schoolers (a few reach down to elementary). These are the natural on-ramps:
- MATHCOUNTS (grades 6 to 8): the staple U.S. middle school math competition.
- AMC 8 (grade 8 and below): the entry point to the entire U.S. math olympiad pipeline.
- National Science Bowl (middle and high school): the middle school division feeds the high school one.
- Science Olympiad (middle and high school): team events spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering.
- FIRST LEGO League (grades K to 8): the middle school on-ramp to competitive robotics.
- VEX Robotics (separate middle and high school divisions).
- Bebras Computing Challenge (grades 3 to 12): the lowest-barrier entry to computing competitions.
- American Rocketry Challenge and TEAMS (grades 6 to 12): hands-on engineering for younger teams.
For how a competition lane fits alongside summer programs and research over the long arc, see our guide to summer research programs for high school and middle school students.
Links verified May 2026.
