Participating and even winning in an STEM Competition is a great extracurricular that colleges look for because it sets you apart from many other students. These competitions can also showcase your field of interest as well as your dedication to it.
In this guide, I have complied a list of 8 STEM Competitions for High School Students which will definitely help you figure out your path and destiny.
Description: The one and only prestigious science fair in the world is ISEF. This multi-stage fair requires months of preparation preceding its week-long final event which gathers students from all across the world. There are many different categories in which you can win in and Top Place Winners have the greatest advantage in College Admissions.
The 22 categories offered in 2024 include Biochemistry, Systems Software, Technology Enhances the Arts, Physics and Astronomy, Materials Science, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, and Environmental Engineering.
Eligibility:
- High School students
- Passionate about STEM
- Experience in Science Fairs
Application Deadline: Varies from State to State
Dates: May 11-17, 2024
Costs & Prizes:
- $25 on-site registration for each participant
- Cash prizes are up to $75,000
Location: Los Angeles, California
Description: The district-wide contest is hosted by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional App Challenges for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. It encourages students to solve real-world challenges through coding. In this program, you will develop an app that addresses a real-world issue.
Eligibility:
- Middle or high school students
- Teams up to 3
- Development platform experience in XCode or Kotlin
Dates: October 24, 2024
Costs & Prizes:
- NO Cost
- Winning apps are displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building
- Featured on House of Representatives
- Sponsor prizes
Location: Virtual
Description: The Davidson Institute supports and guides the brightest minds in multiple subjects in STEM. Their 3-week residential gifted summer program, located at the University of Nevada, Reno, is designed to meet the needs of high achieving students. We provide social connections with academically motivated peers, dynamic courses with the option to earn college credit, access to university resources, and memorable field trips and activities.
Eligibility:
- be 13 to 16 years of age during the program dates
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident living in the United States
- Submit anSAT, ACT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9score report*
- We have partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take an official practice SAT powered by Khan Academy. Scores can be used to apply to any Davidson Institute program, including THINK.More information and registration.
- Receive one positive nomination as specified in the application
- Commit to being a full-time student during the program, which does not allow absences
Dates: Saturday July 13 – Saturday, August 3
Costs & Prizes:
- No cost
- Scholarship of $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000
Location: Online Submission
Description: ExploraVision is a science competition that goes beyond the typical student science competition and into what it takes to bring ideas to reality. A teacher will sponsor and lead his/her students as they work in groups of 2 – 4 to simulate real research and development. A teacher will guide his or her students as they pick a current technology, research it, envision what it might look like in 10 or more years, and describe the development steps, pros & cons, and obstacles. Past winners have envisioned technologies ranging from a hand-held food allergen detector to a new device to help people who have lost limbs regain movement in real time.
Eligibility:
- High School students studying in U.S. or Canada
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Dates: June 14-15, 2024
Costs & Prizes:
- No cost
- Expense paid trip to Washington DC
- Chromebook
- Banners
- Plaques
- Gifts
- Certificates
Location: Virtual
Description: If you’re a aspiring mechanical engineer, this is a competition made for you! The International Bridge Building Competition challenges you to build an efficient bridge that’s as lightweight as possible. Applicants get a hands-on glimpse into the world of engineering and also get to be a part of an academically oriented extracurricular activity that is recognized school-wide.
Eligibility:
- All high school students
- Teams up to 4
Dates: February 6, 2024
Costs & Prizes:
- No Cost
Location: Illinois Tech Campus
Description: Being conducted since 1991, the National Science Bowl is a highly competitive competition that aims to encourage students to excel in math and science. The Bowl sees 1000+ students participate every year, and tests students on their knowledge of physics, energy, Earth science, chemistry, biology, and math.Middle and high school student teams from diverse backgrounds are comprised of four students, one alternate, and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. These teams face-off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format.
Eligibility:
- All High School Students
Dates: April 25-29, 2024
Location: Regional rounds are held in different cities every year. Science Bowl Finals are held in Washington, DC.
Description: The FIRST Robotics Competition combines sport with science and tech and solves problems with the help of robots. Each year, a new challenge with specific game objectives is announced which participants must solve by constructing a unique robot.
Eligibility:
- All High School Students
- Respective Regional, local or national rounds
- Teams
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
Dates: April 17-20, 2924
Costs & Prizes:
- Registration Fee varies from round to round
- Scholarships and grants are available
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas for the final championship.
Description: Established in 1967, the Olympiad has been testing young minds on their knowledge of physics concepts such as Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electromagnetism. It is preceded by qualifying rounds of regional and national level physics tests, after which you get to represent your country at the IPhO, held in Isfahan, Iran in 2024.
Eligibility: All High school students
Application Deadline: Registration upon arrival at the venue
Dates: July 21-28, 2024
Location: Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran
Use my list of 50+ STEM Prestigious STEM Competitions in my STEM Student Guide. It is one of the most helpful resources out there!
