Competition can ignite a hidden spark within us, transforming otherwise ordinary moments into thrilling opportunities. Whether competing in sports, STEM events, online or in person, solo or as part of a team, competition pushes us forward—driving innovation and excellence in ways that few other experiences can.
Local showdowns and nationwide spectacles in STEM give budding enthusiasts and seasoned champions alike a chance to measure their skills, test themselves against highly talented peers, and identify areas for growth.
2025–2026 Update: We recommend bookmarking any competitions that look like a good fit and signing up for updates directly from their websites. Dates shift year to year and this guide reflects the most current verified information available. We also maintain a separate post on online math competitions and hope to expand our subject-specific coverage soon!
What is a STEM competition?
STEM competitions challenge individuals or student teams to solve a specific problem through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Many are rooted in real-world issues, pushing participants to apply creativity and critical thinking toward innovative solutions.
Benefits of STEM competitions
STEM competitions provide structure for students just getting started in science, technology, engineering, and math, while also offering advanced skill-building for those already deep into coding, game development, robotics, investing, and more.
Benefits include critical thinking, autonomous work, and in many cases, meaningful teamwork that strengthens collaborative and social skills. For students taking their first steps in STEM, the right competition provides a low-pressure, low-barrier entry point. For more advanced students, there are plenty of high-intensity, limit-testing experiences available.
And most competitions come with prizes, meaning a STEM competition can even be a way for students to earn recognition (and sometimes money) from home.
Please note: iD Tech has no affiliation with any of these events, and this listing does not serve as an endorsement. Always check each competition's official website for the most current dates and requirements.
2025–2026 STEM competitions
National STEM Challenge
What: Using the scientific method or engineering design process, carry out an original project aligned with one of the annual challenge themes—2026 themes include Aerospace Innovation, Future Food, Environmental Stewardship, Health & Medicine, Power the Planet, and Tech for Good. Submit a 3-page PDF summarizing your project for a chance to represent your state or territory.
Who: Students in grades 7–12 in the U.S. Individual entries only; no teams.
When: For the 2025–2026 cycle, student submissions opened September 17, 2025, and closed November 16, 2025. Up to 56 National Champions earn a trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2026. The National STEM Festival is scheduled for June 23–27, 2026.
Where: National STEM Festival, Washington, D.C.
Prize: National Champions present their projects to influential leaders in science, industry, and government. Special awards (including $500 prizes from sponsors) are available in categories like STEM for Social Good and Young Ambassador.
Get involved: nationalstemfestival.com
Neuroscience Research Prize
What: The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize encourages high school students to explore the brain and nervous system, recognizing scientific potential and honoring supportive science teachers. Sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society.
What else: Applicants submit a completed form, a 300-word abstract, a research report, and a bibliography, along with e-signatures from parents/guardians, teachers, and mentors. Judges - comprising physicians and scientists from the American Academy of Neurology - assess entries based on relevance to neuroscience, creativity, data interpretation, and report quality. Four prize winners are selected in total.
Who: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12. Individual competition only.
When: For the 2025–2026 cycle, applications opened August 5, 2025, and closed October 21, 2025. Winners present at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. Check the AAN website for 2026–2027 cycle dates.
Where: Virtual judging; winners present at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
Prize: Three AAN Neuroscience Research Prize winners each receive $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and the opportunity to present during a poster session at the AAN Annual Meeting (coach airfare, two nights hotel, $100/day per diem, and complimentary registration covered). One Bhuwan Garg High School Neuroscience Research Prize winner receives $1,000 and the opportunity to present at the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting (airfare, three nights lodging, ground transportation, and complimentary registration covered).
Get involved: aan.com/research/neuroscience-research-prize
FIRST Tech Challenge: DECODE™ presented by RTX
What: FIRST Tech Challenge goes beyond robotics, challenging teams of 7th–12th graders to design, build, program, and operate robots in head-to-head competition. The 2025–2026 season is called DECODE™, with teams investigating the power of the world's artifacts through an archaeology-inspired challenge. Robots are programmed using Java or Blocks, and teams engage in fundraising, branding, and community outreach for judged awards.
Who: Students ages 12–18, in teams with adult mentors and coaches.
When: The DECODE season kicked off September 6, 2025. Build and qualifying season runs October 2025 through March 2026 (varies by state/region). The FIRST Championship takes place in April 2026.
Where: Regional and state championships across the U.S.; the FIRST Championship is held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX.
Prize: Access to apply for over $80 million in available college scholarships, plus regional and national recognition.
Get involved: firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc
Aerial Drone Competition (ADC)
What: In dynamic teams of 3–5, students complete four challenging missions focused on drone programming, flight, and related skills: Teamwork Mission, Autonomous Flight Mission, Piloting Mission, and Communications Mission.
Who: Students in grades 5–12.
When: The Mission 2026 season opened for team registration in June 2025. Competition rules were released September 9, 2025. Team registration deadline: December 19, 2025. Local qualifying events: November 2025–March 2026. Regional championships: April–June 2026.
Where: Regional championships held at college campuses throughout the U.S. Check the RECF website for current locations.
Prize: Performance-based and judged awards across grade levels. Individual recognition may also be awarded for outstanding mentorship or community contributions.
Get involved: recf.org/aerial-drone-competition
Solar Car Challenge
What: Since 1993, the Solar Car Challenge has driven STEM engagement by inspiring high schoolers in science, engineering, and alternative energy. Students build and race solar cars, supported by hands-on workshops, virtual learning, and curriculum materials. The event alternates each year between a closed-track race at Texas Motor Speedway and a cross-country event.
Who: Teams of high school students in grades 9–12 from the same school district (including drivers).
When: Intent to Race filing typically opens in September with a January deadline. Official Registration deadline is March 1. Check the website for specific 2026 race dates.
Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, TX (closed-track years) or on a cross-country Texas route (cross-country years).
Prize: Prizes awarded by division based on judging criteria.
Get involved: solarcarchallenge.org
BIEA International STEM Competition
What: The 2025–2026 theme challenges entrants to design innovative STEM solutions to reduce food loss and waste at any stage of the supply chain—farming, transport, retail, or at-home consumption. Teams of 3–5 present original research and designs, including a video submission for finalists.
What else: Every participant must hold a valid BIEA STEM Star Certificate before submitting. Multiple pathways exist to obtain one.
Who: Students ages 9–21 from eligible countries. Teams of 3–5 only; no individual submissions.
When: First-round submission deadline was December 30, 2025. Finalists announced January 30, 2026. The International Final Showcase & Youth Voice Forum is in July 2026 in London.
Where: Online/worldwide, with the grand finale in London, England.
Prize: Grand Prize, Champion, 1st–3rd Prize, and other special recognitions.
Get involved: bieacompetition.org.uk
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
What: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (16th annual in 2025–2026) challenges students in grades 6–12 to use STEM to tackle real community issues. Only public and charter school teams (at least 50% publicly funded) are eligible.
Who: Public/charter school educators register student teams in grades 6–12. All applications must be submitted by someone 21 or older who is employed by the school.
When: Application phase opens September with a November deadline. Semi-Finalist video phase: December–February. Finalist live pitch: March–April. Applications for 2026–2027 open in August 2026.
Where: The 2026 Finalist Event was hosted in partnership with The Washington Post.
Prize: 500 schools total receive prize packages. 400 Promising STEM Innovation schools win $1,000. 90 Semi-Finalists win $10,000. 7 National Finalists win $50,000. 3 National Winners win $100,000. One Employee Choice Award ($10,000) selected by Samsung employees. One Community Choice Award ($10,000) selected by public online voting.
Get involved: samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow
Rocket City Math League
What: A free international math competition divided into four tests (Interschool Test, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3) across five levels: Explorer (Pre-algebra), Mercury (Algebra), Gemini (Geometry), Apollo (Algebra II), and Discovery (Pre-calculus and calculus).
Who: Middle school, high school, and two-year college students enrolled in the appropriate course level.
When: The Interschool Test is typically held in November, with Rounds 1–3 running January through March. Check the Mu Alpha Theta website for current-cycle dates.
Where: Online.
Prize: Top 20 individual winners per level receive individual awards; top 10 teams per level receive team awards.
Get involved: mualphatheta.org/rcml-contest
STEM competitions for high school students
Breakthrough Junior Challenge ⭐ New
What: One of the most exciting competitions for young science communicators. Students create a short video (under 2 minutes) that explains a big idea in physics, life sciences, or mathematics in an engaging, accessible way. Founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner.
Who: Students ages 13–18 globally. Individual entries only.
When: The 2026 competition is now open. Application and video submission deadline: September 15, 2026. Peer-to-peer review due September 30, 2026. Popular Vote runs November 24–December 9, 2026.
Where: Online submission; high-profile televised awards ceremony attended by renowned scientists.
Prize: The grand prize package is worth approximately $400,000: a $250,000 college scholarship for the winner, a $50,000 prize for the teacher who inspired them, and up to $100,000 to build or renovate a science lab at the winner's school.
Get involved: breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org
Congressional App Challenge
What: A public challenge where middle and high school students code and build an app of their choice. Apps are judged in district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress.
Who: Middle and high school students. Teams of up to 4.
When: The 2025 competition ran May 1–October 30, 2025. Winners from the 2025 competition were celebrated at #HouseOfCode on April 21–22, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol. The 2026 competition launched May 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of October 26, 2026.
Where: Online; winners recognized in Washington, D.C.
Prize: Winners receive recognition by their Member of Congress, have their app displayed in the Capitol Building for one year, waived copyright registration fees through the ARTS Act, and are invited to the #HouseOfCode celebration on Capitol Hill.
Get involved: congressionalappchallenge.us
CyberPatriot: National Youth Cyber Defense Competition ⭐ New
What: The nation's largest cybersecurity competition for middle and high school students, run by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA). Now in its 18th season, teams take on the role of newly hired IT professionals tasked with securing virtual computer networks against simulated attacks. No prior cybersecurity experience required; training materials are provided.
Who: Middle and high school student teams across the U.S. Two parallel high school divisions: Open Division (any school or organization) and All Service Division (JROTC, CAP, and similar). A Middle School Division is also available.
When: Season 18 registration ran through October 1, 2025. Online competition rounds ran fall through winter 2025–2026. The National Finals Competition is held each spring in the Washington, D.C. area, with all travel and lodging expenses covered by the program.
Where: Online competition rounds; in-person National Finals in the Washington, D.C. area.
Prize: National recognition, scholarship opportunities, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Finals for qualifying teams.
Get involved: uscyberpatriot.org
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
What: The nation's oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors. Entrants conduct original independent research projects and submit applications with recommendation letters and transcripts. 13 alumni have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.
Who: Students currently enrolled in their senior year of high school.
When: For the 2025–2026 cycle: Top 300 Scholars announced January 7, 2026. Top 40 Finalists announced January 21, 2026. Finals Week: March 5–11, 2026, Washington, D.C. Winners announced March 10, 2026. The 2027 application opens June 1, 2026.
Where: 40 finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for in-depth judging.
Prize: Over $1.8 million in awards. Top prize is $250,000.
Get involved: societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts
THINK Challenges (MIT)
What: Organized by a group of undergraduates from MIT, this competition supports high school students in the early stages of an original research project by providing mentorship, resources, and up to $1,000 in funding. Selected finalists receive an all-expenses-paid 4-day trip to MIT's campus.
Who: High school students with a permanent address in the United States. Individual or team entries (two students max).
When: For the 2025–2026 cycle: applications opened November 1, 2025, and were due January 1, 2026. Semifinalists announced January 30, 2026. Finalists announced February 2026. Projects complete by June 2026. The 2026–2027 cycle is expected to open November 2026.
Where: Online application; finalists travel to MIT campus.
Prize: Up to $1,000 research funding + weekly mentorship + all-expenses trip to MIT campus.
Get involved: think.mit.edu
M3 Challenge (MathWorks Math Modeling)
What: One of the only math competitions of its kind. Student teams have 14 hours to solve an open-ended applied math-modeling problem focused on a real-world issue. Now in its 20th year.
Who: 11th and 12th graders in the U.S., and sixth-form students in England and Wales. Teams of 3–5 students with one teacher-coach.
When: Registration for the 2026 competition closed February 20, 2026. Challenge Weekend was late February/early March 2026. The 2026 Final Event took place April 27, 2026, in New York City. Watch for 2027 dates.
Where: Online (challenge weekend); finalists travel to New York City for the Final Event.
Prize: Over $100,000 total in scholarship prizes.
Get involved: m3challenge.siam.org
Microsoft Imagine Cup
What: A global technology startup competition hosted by Microsoft. Now with two tracks - Scale (for startups with user traction) and Launch (for early-stage ideas) - teams build AI-powered solutions to real-world problems and compete for prizes and mentorship from Microsoft.
Who: Students 18 or older enrolled in an accredited high school or college/university. Teams of up to 3 members.
When: For the 2026 cycle: Semifinals concluded April 8, 2026. The World Championship winner is announced June 2, 2026. Applications for the 2027 cycle are expected in fall 2026.
Where: Online; the World Championship is a global livestreamed event.
Prize: Scale track grand prize: $100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella. Launch track prize: $50,000.
Get involved: imaginecup.microsoft.com
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
What: An intense robotics competition often described by students as "the hardest fun you will ever have." With limited resources and only six weeks, teams raise funds, design, build, and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game, both cooperating with and competing against other teams. The 2025–2026 season is called REBUILT™ presented by Haas.
Who: High school students (ages 14–18, grades 9–12) in teams with adult mentors. The next season - BIOCORE™ presented by Haas - releases January 9, 2027.
When: Registration typically opens in fall, with season kickoff in January and the FIRST Championship in April. Check the website for regional and state tournament schedules.
Where: Regional and state tournaments across the U.S. and internationally. The FIRST Championship is in Houston, TX.
Prize: Access to over $50 million in available scholarships.
Get involved: firstinspires.org/robotics/frc
Regeneron ISEF
What: The world's largest international pre-college science competition—the "Super Bowl of science fairs." An estimated 7 million students from 75 countries participate in affiliated fairs globally, with roughly 1,800 finalists advancing to the international competition. Regeneron has been the title sponsor since 2020.
What else: Students must first win at a Regeneron ISEF-affiliated regional or state fair to qualify.
Who: Students in grades 9–12.
When: The 2026 Regeneron ISEF takes place May 9–15, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. Qualifying through an affiliated fair begins as early as fall of the prior school year.
Where: 2026 event at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Prize: Over $9 million in total awards. The top award - the George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award - is $75,000. Second and third place receive $50,000 each. More than 600 individual and team prizes are awarded across 22 categories.
Get involved: societyforscience.org/isef
Technovation Girls ⭐ New
What: A global program empowering girls and nonbinary, gender-fluid, and transgender participants who want to be part of a female-identified environment—to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Teams identify a problem in their community and build a mobile app or AI project to address it, then pitch it globally. No prior programming experience required.
Who: Girls and nonbinary students ages 8–18, in teams of up to 5. Free to participate.
When: The 2025–2026 season opened August 13, 2025. Registration deadline: March 18, 2026. Submission deadline: April 20, 2026. Quarterfinal judging: April–May 2026. Semifinals: June 2026. Finalists invited to World Summit.
Where: Online, with regional pitch events worldwide and a virtual World Summit for finalists.
Prize: Educational scholarships and stipends for finalist teams ($750/person for top 3 teams; $500/person for remaining finalists). Special awards recognize projects in categories like Climate Action and Education Equity.
Get involved: technovationchallenge.org
Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)
What: A prestigious youth award for water-related research projects addressing current and future water challenges. The competition runs at regional, state, national, and international levels.
Who: High school students in grades 9–12 who have reached age 15 by August 1 of the competition year.
When: The 2026 state competition submission portal was open with an April 15, 2026 deadline. State winners announced in spring; U.S. National Competition in late June; International SJWP at World Water Week in Stockholm in late August.
Where: State entry is online; national and international competitions are in-person.
Prize: The U.S. winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, a crystal trophy, and represents the U.S. at the international competition. The international winner receives $15,000.
Get involved: wef.org/sjwp
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
What: Students present findings from original research to a panel of judges and peers. The National Symposium includes workshops, panel discussions, career exploration, research lab visits, and networking. JSHS has officially returned and its website is being updated.
Who: Students in grades 9–12.
When: Deadlines vary by region. Check the JSHS website for 2025–2026 regional and national details.
Where: Regional competitions across all 50 states; National Symposium location varies.
Prize: First-place regional prize is $2,000 in scholarships; the National grand prize is $12,000 in scholarships.
Get involved: jshs.org
American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)
What: A prestigious mathematics contest with several events including a team round, power question, individual round, two relay rounds, and a super relay. Teams generally consist of 15 students.
Who: Generally high school students, with some exceptional junior high students attending each year.
When: ARML 2026 takes place May 29–30, 2026, at five simultaneous university sites.
Where: Five simultaneous sites: Penn State University, University of Nevada–Reno, University of Iowa, Western Carolina University, and St. Anselm College.
Prize: Various prizes for top teams.
Get involved: arml3.com
World Robot Olympiad (WRO)
What: Four categories of robotics competition challenging students to sharpen problem-solving and creative skills: RoboMission, RoboSports, Future Innovators, and Future Engineers. Starting in 2026, all robot systems are allowed in all categories.
Who: Youth ages 8–22.
When: The 2026 season: Registration opened January 2026. Game Rules released January 15, 2026. District Championships in Ontario, CA: April 17–18, 2026. US Open Championships: September 24–28, 2026. International Final: San Juan, Puerto Rico, December 8–10, 2026.
Where: Regional competitions across the U.S. and worldwide. 2026 International Final in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Prize: Prizes for winners in each category and age group combination.
Get involved: uselyouthrobotics.com/wro-about
STEM competitions for middle school students
Perennial Math Tournaments
What: Online, virtual, or in-person math tournaments; you choose. Rules and format vary by tournament level.
Who: Teams or individuals in grades 3–12.
When: Two online tournament seasons (November–February and January–April). In-person tournaments run throughout the year. All on-site tournament winners are invited to the National Championship, typically held in May.
Where: Online or at on-site locations.
Prize: U.S. and Canadian teams receive an awards package with a certificate for each student and a medal for the VIP team member.
Get involved: perennialmath.com/tournaments
National Science Bee (IAC)
What: The National Science Bee is a buzzer-format quiz bowl competition—the National Quiz Bowl treatment, complete with buzzer system. Unlike most national competitions that require pre-qualifying at a regional event, anyone can register and participate. Now run by International Academic Competitions (IAC).
Who: Students can compete in the following divisions: Varsity (grades 11–12), Junior Varsity (grades 9–10), 8th grade, 7th grade, 6th grade, 5th grade, 4th grade, and 3rd grade and younger.
When: The free Online Regional Qualifying Exam (ORQE) becomes available in fall. Regional Finals run October through May. The top 50% of competitors in each age group at Regionals qualify for the National Championships.
Where: National Championships for Elementary/Middle School groups are typically held in Orlando, FL over Memorial Day Weekend. Varsity/JV nationals are held in the Washington, D.C. area in spring.
Prize: Past awards have included $1,500 worth of total prizes.
Get involved: iacompetitions.com
MATHCOUNTS Competition Series
What: A national mathematics competition where students compete in live, in-person contests at four levels: school, chapter, state, and national championships. The top students at each level advance to the next.
Who: Open to all students in grades 6–8. Students must be registered by a school coach. Check with your local school to find out more.
When: Chapter competitions are hosted February 1–28. State competitions take place March 1–31. The 2026 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition took place May 10–11, 2026, in Orlando, FL.
Where: Over 500 chapter competitions nationwide. The 2026 National Competition was held at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, FL.
Prize: Check the website for current prize details.
Get involved: mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series
eCYBERMISSION
What: A free virtual STEM competition for student teams proposing solutions to real community issues. Run by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
What else: Now in its 23rd year, eCYBERMISSION drew over 2,000 teams in 2024–2025.
Who: Students in grades 6–9. Teams of 2–4 students with an adult Team Advisor.
When: Registration typically opens August/September, with Mission Folder submissions due in early spring. Winners are announced in June.
Where: Online competition; national finalists travel to the in-person National Judging & Educational Event.
Prize: National winners receive $10,000 per student in U.S. EE Savings Bonds at maturity. State and regional finalists also receive bond awards.
Get involved: ecybermission.com
CEF You Be The Solution Challenge™
What: A team-based STEM competition (formerly the You Be The Chemist Challenge, now rebranded and expanded by CEF in STEM) where students answer timed science-based questions and simultaneously create a video to launch a startup company aimed at solving sustainability issues in their community.
What else: The 2025–2026 National Challenge Finals are scheduled for June 2026.
Who: Teams of 3–4 students in grades 5–8.
When: Registration runs October through December, with regional events taking place January through March. National Challenge Finals: June 2026.
Where: Regional events across the U.S. and Canada; National Finals in summer.
Prize: Finalists compete for scholarships. Check the website for details.
Get involved: cefinstem.org/programs/challenge
3M Young Scientist Challenge
What: Students create a 1–2 minute video describing a unique, original solution to an everyday problem. Finalists receive a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist.
What else: The 2025 winner was Kevin Tang, who invented "Fall Guard"—a fall detection device for older adults at home.
Who: Students in grades 5–8 in the U.S. Individual entries only.
When: The 2026 entry period ran January 7–April 30, 2026 (now closed). Finalists announced by July 31, 2026. Final event: October 2026.
Where: Online submission; National Finals at the 3M Innovation Center.
Prize: Grand Prize: $25,000 and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." Each of the top 10 finalists receives $1,000 plus a summer mentorship with a 3M scientist. Up to 51 State Merit Winners and honorable mentions also recognized.
Get involved: youngscientistlab.com
Future City
What: Teams research, design, and build cities that showcase a solution to a citywide sustainability issue. The 2025–2026 theme is eliminating food waste from farm to table. The challenge consists of four deliverables: a city essay, model, project plan, and presentation in front of a panel of STEM professionals.
What else: High school competitions are also available.
Who: Teams of students in grades 6–8 with an educator or mentor as coach.
When: Registration typically opens in May, with teams beginning projects in September. Regional competitions take place in January; the National Competition is in February.
Where: The National Finals are held in Washington, D.C.
Prize: Grand prize is a trip to space camp and a $7,500 cash award.
Get involved: futurecity.org
STEM competitions for various ages
NASA Student Launch Challenge
What: Teams design, build, and launch high-powered rockets over the course of a nine-month challenge, with multiple design reviews mirroring the NASA engineering lifecycle.
Who: Middle/high school and college/university students in the U.S.
When: The 2026 culminating event took place April 22–26, 2026, in Huntsville, AL. Watch for the 2026–2027 cycle announcement on the NASA website.
Where: Final launch in Huntsville, AL (home of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center).
Prize: Varies by division; see the NASA Student Launch website for details.
Get involved: nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-student-launch
American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)
What: A series of mathematics competitions over 60 years old with three levels: AMC-8 (middle school), AMC-10 (grades 9–10), and AMC-12 (grades 11–12). The AMC is one of the first steps toward determining the U.S. team for the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Who: Students in grades 8–12.
When: Registration and competition dates vary by level; check the MAA website for current dates. For 2026–2027: AMC 10/12 A on November 5, 2026; AMC 10/12 B on November 13, 2026; AMC 8 runs January 21–27, 2027.
Where: Competitions take place nationwide at registered school sites.
Prize: Check the website for current prize and advancement details.
Get involved: maa.org/student-programs/amc
Math League
What: Team competitions for elementary through high school students, culminating in National Championships in spring. Details vary by age group.
Who: Students in grades 3–12.
When: Most regional and state contests run fall through winter; registration is rolling.
Where: Locations throughout the U.S.
Prize: Prizes vary by location and competition level.
Get involved: mathleague.org
Purple Comet Math Meet
What: An online, international mathematics competition for middle and high school students. Teams choose a start time during a ten-day window, and problems range in difficulty.
Who: Teams of middle and high school students with an adult supervisor.
When: The 2026 contest has concluded (4,804 registered teams from 86 countries). Watch for 2027 dates.
Where: Online.
Prize: Winners receive a printable certificate.
Get involved: purplecomet.org
DOE National Science Bowl
What: One of the nation's largest academic competitions, testing students' knowledge across science and math disciplines in a fast-paced question-and-answer format. Teams must qualify at the regional level.
Who: Middle and high school teams of 4 students, 1 alternate, and 1 coach.
When: Regional competitions typically begin in January with National Finals in late April/early May. Check for 2026 dates.
Where: All 50 states participate.
Prize: Top teams earn monetary awards for their school, a large trophy, an all-expenses-paid trip, and national recognition.
Get involved: science.osti.gov/wdts/nsb
National STEM League (Ten80 Education)
What: A team-oriented STEM competition with online and face-to-face formats, including the Online Points Race, Face-to-Face Racing Challenge, and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Challenge. Students mimic professional motorsports teams; building, branding, and racing 1:10-scale RC cars or autonomous vehicles.
Who: Middle to high school students.
When: Dates vary by event. Check the website for the 2025–2026 calendar.
Where: Regional competitions across the U.S.; online options available.
Get involved: ten80education.com/the-league
USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)
What: A free, proof-based mathematics competition where students are given challenging problems to work on over the course of a month. Solutions are graded by mathematicians, with personalized written feedback returned to students. Run by the Art of Problem Solving Initiative (AoPSI).
Who: Middle and high school students in the U.S.
When: Three rounds, typically running fall through winter. Students can register at any point during the year.
Where: Online.
Prize: The top 45% of students receive prizes (math books, T-shirts, and potentially Wolfram software subscriptions). Top scorers qualify for the AIME, a key step toward the USA Mathematical Olympiad.
Get involved: usamts.org
STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools)
What: Teams design, manufacture, and race miniature cars inspired by Formula 1 engineering, in an international competition with three age divisions. Supported by Formula 1® and now fully rebranded from F1 in Schools to STEM Racing. Competition runs at regional, national, and world levels across 65 countries.
Who: Students ages 9–19 in teams of 3–6. Three divisions: Discovery (ages 6+), Primary (ages 9–11), and Secondary (ages 11–19).
When: The 2025–2026 season is ongoing. The 2026 World Finals are called the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026. Check the website for your country's national coordinator and dates.
Where: Regional and national competitions worldwide. Check the website for event details.
Prize: Access to university recruiters. Additional prizes vary by level.
Get involved: stemracing.com
ExploraVision
What: Teams look 20 years into the future and communicate a new technology they envision. Now in its 34th year. Every student who submits a completed project receives a certificate and gift.
Who: Teams of 2–4 students in grades K–12 from U.S. or Canadian public, private, or home schools.
When: Registration was open through February 3, 2026. National winners for the 34th annual competition were announced in early May 2026. Awards Weekend takes place June 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Where: Online; Awards Weekend in Washington, D.C.
Prize: 4 first-place national winning teams each receive U.S. EE Savings Bonds worth $10,000 at maturity. Prizes also exist for second place, finalists, and honorable mentions.
Get involved: exploravision.org
Science Buddies Engineering Challenge
What: An annual hands-on engineering design challenge that challenges students to design, build, test, and improve a solution using simple, low-cost materials. The 2026 challenge is the Ball Run Challenge; students use only paper and tape to build a ball run, aiming to make a ping pong ball travel as slowly as possible.
Who: K–12 students worldwide; individuals or teams of up to 4.
When: The 2026 challenge opened February 22, 2026, with submissions due March 31, 2026. Voting ran through April 7, 2026. Watch for the 2027 challenge announcement in January 2027.
Where: Online.
Prize: Ten randomly selected teams each win $1,000 for their school. A People's Choice Award ($1,000) goes to the team with the most votes.
Get involved: sciencebuddies.org/engineering-challenge
VEX Robotics Competitions
What: A collection of robotics competitions where teams design and build a robot to compete head-to-head in a game-based engineering challenge. Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest robotics competition. The 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship takes place April 21–30, 2026, in St. Louis, MO.
Who: VEX IQ (grades 4–8) and VEX V5 (grades 6–12).
When: Tournaments run year-round at regional, state, and national levels, with the VEX Robotics World Championship each April/May.
Where: Worldwide. The 2026 World Championship is at America's Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, MO.
Prize: Check the website for current prize and scholarship details.
Get involved: vexrobotics.com/competition
BEST Robotics Competition
What: A robotics competition where teams compete head-to-head on a new, real-world challenge each year. BEST stands for "Boosting Engineering, Science & Technology." Over 850 middle and high schools and 18,000 students participate each fall.
Who: Middle and high school students.
When: The competition season typically runs September–November. Check the website for 2025–2026 dates and locations.
Where: 19+ states participate. Check the website for current locations.
Prize: Awards include the BEST Award, creativity awards, and software design recognition. Prizes vary by level.
Get involved: bestrobotics.org
Wonder League Robotics Competition
What: A robotics/programming challenge where teams participate in story-based missions over several months under a coach's guidance, using the Dash Robot and Make Wonder coding platform. Successful teams advance to the open invitational to compete. Now in its 11th year.
Who: Kids ages 6–8 (Innovator Cup) and youth ages 9–12 (Pioneer Cup). Teams with at least one supervising adult coach.
When: Registration opened October 1, 2025, closed January 31, 2026. Round 1 submissions due February 13, 2026. Winners announced May 8, 2026.
Where: Online preliminary rounds; in-person invitational.
Prize: Grand Prize is $5,000 in STEM products from Wonder Workshop (one winner per age division), national recognition, and a Dash Robot for each team member.
Get involved: makewonder.com/en/robotics-competition
American Rocketry Challenge (ARC)
What: The world's largest student rocket contest (also known as TARC). Teams design, build, and fly a rocket carrying a raw egg to a specific altitude and duration. Over 1,100 teams competed in 2026, a new record. Contest rules and scoring parameters change every cycle.
Who: Teams of 3–10 students in grades 6–12.
When: Registration typically closes once maximum teams have registered, between June 1 and December. Teams must complete qualification flights before the National Finals. The 2026 National Finals were held May 16, 2026, at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA.
Where: Qualifying flights nationwide; National Finals at Great Meadow, The Plains, VA (45 miles west of Washington, D.C.).
Prize: Winning teams compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. First-place winners earn the title of National Champion and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Farnborough Air Show in England to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge.
Get involved: rocketrychallenge.org
Future Engineers Challenges
What: A collection of innovation challenges for K–12 students, held in conjunction with NASA and the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Challenges change regularly; current active challenges include NASA TechRise (designing experiments for suborbital flight) and the AEOP Veterans Appreciation Challenge. Past challenges have included designing 3D-printed tools for astronauts.
Who: Students in grades K–12.
When: Varies by challenge; the Future Engineers website lists current challenges, challenges where judging is in progress, and past winners.
Where: Online.
Prize: Varies by challenge.
Get involved: futureengineers.org
Science Olympiad
What: One of the nation's premier science competitions, founded in 1984 to increase K–12 and teacher participation in STEM. 7,000 teams compete at 450 tournaments in all 50 states.
Who: Eligibility differs by state; check the Science Olympiad website to get started.
When: Registration and competition dates vary by state. The 2026 National Tournament takes place May 22–23, 2026, at USC in Los Angeles.
Where: Regional and state competitions nationwide; the 2026 National Tournament is at USC in Los Angeles.
Prize: Awards, trophies, cash scholarships, tuition awards, and prizes offered by host universities and sponsors.
Get involved: soinc.org
Destination Imagination
What: Seven challenges - each focusing on a specific area of STEM - with project work spanning 2–4 months. Teams of 2–7 members select one challenge and present at local tournaments, with top teams advancing to Global Finals.
Who: Kindergarten through university. Students compete by grade level.
When: Teams typically form between August and January, with local tournaments in February and March. Global Finals are typically held in late May.
Where: Active in 36 U.S. states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 24 countries. URL now updated to challenge-experience.
Prize: Check the website for current prize and scholarship details.
Get involved: destinationimagination.org
FIRST LEGO League
What: Introduces STEM to kids through hands-on, team-based experiences across age divisions. Teams explore a real-world theme and build, program, and test LEGO robots. The 2025–2026 season is called UNEARTHED™ (archaeology-themed). Beginning in 2026–2027, FLL will offer two parallel editions as it transitions to new hardware.
Who: Children ages 5–16 (grades K–8), in age-based divisions.
When: The UNEARTHED season launched August 5, 2025. A new challenge season launches each fall. Check the FIRST LEGO League website for the current season's name and dates.
Where: Competitions worldwide—over 680,000 participants from 110+ countries.
Prize: Check the website for current prize information.
Get involved: firstinspires.org/robotics/fll
International SeaPerch Challenge
What: Students build a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) and compete in pool courses and real-world innovation challenges. The 2025 theme was "Environmental Monitoring: Coral Restoration."
Who: Students in grades 5–12 (ages 10–18). Students start programs at their school with a sponsor or teacher.
When: Challenge season typically begins in September. Regional events for 2026 were posted after November 1, 2025. Finals are typically held in late May/early June.
Where: Regional competitions nationwide; the International SeaPerch Challenge Finals held at a university campus.
Prize: Check the SeaPerch website for current prize details.
Get involved: seaperch.org/competition
Odyssey of the Mind
What: Teams devise solutions to various problems, performing 8-minute presentations that may involve writing, acting, building, and designing.
Who: Purchase a school or community group membership for access to each year's full problem details. Teams of up to 7 students with one adult coach.
When: The World Finals are typically held in May.
Where: Locations vary; check the website.
Prize: Trophies, plaques, ribbons, medals, and special certificates for first, second, and third place at World Finals.
Get involved: odysseyofthemind.com
NCF Envirothon
What: Students compete to demonstrate their knowledge in natural resource management after hands-on outdoor field experiences throughout the year. Over 25,000 students across the U.S., Canada, China, and Singapore participate.
Who: High school students in grades 9–12 (ages 14–19). Teams of 5 from the same school or organization, with one adult advisor.
When: The 2026 annual competition takes place July 19–25, 2026, at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.
Where: A new city hosts Envirothon each year. The 2026 competition is at Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS.
Prize: Check the website for current prize details.
Get involved: envirothon.org
Genes in Space
What: Students design a DNA experiment that responds to the challenges of space travel and deep space exploration. The winning experiment is conducted aboard the International Space Station.
Who: U.S. students enrolled in grades 7–12, working independently or in teams of up to two.
When: The 2026 competition opened January 5, 2026. Finalists and honorable mentions are announced May 22, 2026. Watch for the winner announcement in summer 2026.
Where: Finals hosted at the ISS Research & Development Conference.
Prize: Finalists win a complete DNA Discovery System for their school (a $950 value). The winning experimental design is conducted aboard the International Space Station.
Get involved: genesinspace.org
The Conrad Challenge
What: Teams create an invention that solves a critical global problem, competing through four stages: Activation (team formation), Lean Canvas (brainstorming), Innovation (building and presenting), and Power Pitch (finalists only). Run by Space Center Houston and presented by Equinor. The 2026–2027 season will be the 20th anniversary of the Conrad Challenge.
Who: Students ages 13–18, in teams of 2–5 with one adult coach. Five categories: Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, and The Water Challenge.
When: The 2025–2026 competition opened August 28, 2025. Innovation Summit (finalists): April 22–25, 2026, at Space Center Houston. Winners announced April 25, 2026. Applications for the 2026–2027 (20th anniversary) cycle open in August 2026.
Where: Finals at the Innovation Summit at Space Center Houston, TX.
Prize: Scholarships and the title of Pete Conrad Scholar. Judges and mentors come from leading organizations including Google, Equinor, and Blue Origin.
Get involved: conrad.spacecenter.org
That's all—for now! Know of a competition that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments.