Top Stem Competitions for Young Students
This comprehensive guide to STEM competitions is perfect for students who want to challenge themselves and deepen their understanding of science and engineering. Whether you're a fifth-grader or a senior in high school, there's a competition out there for you. Learn about qualifications, requirements, subjects, and prizes for some of the top contests in the field. Start exploring your academic interests today and inspire yourself to solve complex problems!
Grades 9+: Intel ISEF, JSHS, Google Science Fair Grades 8+: Conrad Challenge Grades 6+: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Grades 6-8: Broadcom Masters Grades 5-8: 3M Young Scientists Challenge
Intel Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Awards, commonly known as the "World Cup" of Global Youth Science Competitions, is the largest and most prestigious science competition for high school students worldwide. Over 1,500 young scientists and inventors from over 50 countries come together to showcase their cutting-edge technological advancements. To participate, students in grades 9-12, either individually or in teams, must be enrolled in relevant science competitions in the US and 70 other countries.
The awards are divided into several categories, including subject awards, special awards, and government awards, with over 600 individual and group awards available. The subject awards range from 1st to 4th place, with prizes ranging from $500 to $3,000. In addition, Intel Corporation, Science Services, and more than 70 sponsoring companies, scientific societies, and governments offer more than $1.5 million in scholarships, summer internships, field science research opportunities, and experimental equipment.
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is an exciting and challenging competition for students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It is a program of the Society for Science & the Public and is held annually at various locations throughout the United States. The symposium provides an opportunity for high school students to showcase their original research in STEM fields and engage in stimulating discussions with experts in their respective fields.
To participate, students must first compete in one of the affiliated regional JSHS programs and be selected as a finalist. Finalists then present their research projects to a panel of judges and participate in interactive workshops and events. The top-performing students at the national level receive recognition, scholarships, and an opportunity to present their research at prestigious conferences. The JSHS is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their research skills, network with other young scientists, and gain recognition for their achievements in STEM fields.
Google Science Fair
Google Science Fair is an exciting opportunity for young students aged 13-18 to showcase their innovative ideas in the fields of technology and engineering. Unlike other competitions, the Google Science Fair has a simple and straightforward process for participants, making it easier for anyone to participate. The winners of this competition, as well as other similar contests, like the Intel ISEF, are highly sought after by top colleges and universities.
The competition runs from early September to early December, and the selection process is rigorous. The selection team will review all projects submitted and select the top 100 regional finalists based on criteria such as inspiring ideas, the potential to influence, passion for science and engineering, methodological excellence, and project presentation. The jury will then choose 20 global finalists from around the world to attend the final event in Mountain View, California, where the category winners and Grand Prize winner will be announced.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a nationwide competition that challenges students in grades 6-12 to use Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to find creative solutions to real-world issues facing their communities. Designed to promote STEM education and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, the competition offers students an opportunity to showcase their skills and impact their communities in meaningful ways.
To participate, teachers can nominate their students by submitting an application that highlights their project idea and its potential to solve a community issue. From there, students progress through several rounds of competition, from state-level to national-level, where they present their projects to a panel of judges and compete for cash prizes and other awards. The competition culminates in a national pitch event, where the top 10 national finalists present their projects to a panel of judges and compete for the grand prize of $120,000 in Samsung technology.
Overall, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their STEM skills, creativity, and passion for making a difference in the world.
Broadcom MASTERS
The Broadcom MASTERS competition is a highly esteemed science competition for middle school students in the United States. To participate, students must be nominated as one of the top 10% of 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students from science and engineering fairs across the country. Nominees will then need to complete an online application to compete in this prestigious competition. Winning this competition is a significant accomplishment, as it showcases that the student's project is in the top 10% of all middle school science fair projects in the country. The top awards include the Samueli Foundation Prize ($25,000), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, the Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation ($10,000), and the Lemelson Award for Invention ($7,500).
3M Young Scientist Challenge
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a unique opportunity for students in grades 5 to 8 to showcase their innovative ideas and bring attention to real-world problems. To participate, students must create and submit a 1-2 minute video that presents a creative solution to a common issue. The competition is designed to reward students who demonstrate a passion for science, originality, effective communication skills, and an innovative approach to problem-solving.
To enter, students must be enrolled in a US school and be in the 5th to 8th grade. The competition's judging panel, comprised of experts from 3M, will review all eligible submissions and select the ten best entries. These ten finalists will be announced in June and will be in the running for the grand prize of $25,000 and a one-of-a-kind mentorship opportunity with 3M. In October, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist, and the winner of the People’s Choice Prize will be revealed.
American Computer Science League (ACSL)
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) is an organization dedicated to promoting computer science education among students. ACSL provides opportunities for students to learn and apply computer science skills through various competitions and events. The competitions are designed to challenge and inspire students, and help them develop critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork skills. These events are open to students of all levels, from middle school to high school, and provide a platform for students to showcase their computer science abilities. Additionally, ACSL offers resources and support for educators to help them integrate computer science into their curriculum. The goal of ACSL is to foster a passion for computer science and help students prepare for future careers in technology and other related fields.
USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
The USAC Computing Olympiad is an annual competition for high school students, aimed at fostering their interest in computer science and providing a platform to showcase their skills. This prestigious event, organized by the United States of America Computing Olympiad, is a great opportunity for young students to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities and creativity in a fun and challenging environment. It is open to high school students from all across the country and is a chance for them to learn and grow in the field of computer science. The competition includes a range of tasks, from coding challenges to algorithms and more, to test the students' proficiency in computer science. With a prize pool of $20,000, the competition is a great way to encourage students to pursue their interests in computer science and to recognize their achievements.
Intel ISEF 2018 Winner
Oliver Nicholls, a 19-year-old from Sydney, Australia, has been named the winner of this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a prestigious global competition for pre-college students. With nearly 1,800 young scientists from 81 countries participating, Oliver's project stood out from the crowd. He designed and built an autonomous robotic window cleaner for commercial buildings, using drone technology and incorporating a spray nozzle and rotating scrubbers. This powerful yet cost-effective device, built with Arduino, can handle winds up to 28 mph, making it a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional window cleaning methods that can cost over $11,000 per cleaning. For his impressive work, Oliver received the prestigious Gordon E. Moore Award of $75,000.
* The above video is copied from YouTube.3M Young Scientist Challenge Winner
Gitanjali Rao was named America’s Top Young Scientist after winning the 2017 3M Young Scientist Challenge. She developed Tethys, a sensor-based device that detects lead in water quickly and cost-effectively. The portable device is accompanied by a mobile app that provides almost instant results. Gitanjali, a 7th-grader at STEM School and Academy, competed against nine other finalists in a live competition and was awarded the title and a $25,000 prize. She aims to solve the water contamination crisis and decrease the harmful effects of lead exposure.
* The above video is copied from YouTube.