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The science competitions your students can enter this year

By Emma Molloy

Discover STEM-themed competitions for you and your students to enter in this academic year

Source: © Shutterstock

Learn about the fantastic array of science competitions your students can enter – so you can sign up as soon as possible

There is a great range of science competitions out there that your students can enter. Competitions come in all shapes and sizes, including essay writing, photography and video competitions, and can be local or national events.

Besides the array of downloadable materials you can make use of in your lessons, as homework or part of a science club, the benefits of taking part include learning how to work in a team, grasping how lessons apply to real-world problems, and there could even be some extra cash to bag!

You can jump straight to the lists of science-writing competitions , or more arty competitions (such as photography and drawing prizes), or simply read on to discover what’s open to you and your students this academic year.

These competitions have been ordered by closing date. Listing a competition does not serve as an endorsement by the RSC.  Last updated: 16 May 2024.

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge

Age: 19 or younger

Registration opens: now

Closes:  1 June 2024

This competition — aimed at Year 12 students but available to younger students — is designed to stretch and challenge students beyond the curriculum interested in chemistry and is excellent experience for anyone considering chemistry for further study.

Students sit a 90-minute written paper under exam conditions in school, which is sent out to schools in advance. Mark schemes are available to teachers, and for schools submitting more than five scripts, these should be marked by the teacher. Scripts of students scoring over 50% are then submitted. Students who perform well receive a certificate and the best performers are invited to join a residential camp at the University of Cambridge at the end of August

The website contains lots of past papers and mark schemes, which are a valuable resource for teachers. Full details are on the  website .

Science meets art

If you have some students who would be hooked by the artistic side of science, check out these competitions:

• RSB Photography competition (open to all ages; opens March 2024; £500 top prize for under 18s)
• RSB Nancy Rothwell Award for specimen drawing (ages 7–18; open March–July 2024; prizes include set of drawing pencils and small cash prizes for students and schools)
• Science Without Borders challenge is an artwork competition with a focus on ocean conservation. The 2024 theme is ‘hidden wonders of the deep’ (ages 11–19; closes 4 March 2024; maximum prize of $500)
• British Science Week poster competition ; this year’s theme will be ‘time’ (ages 3–14; closes March 2024)
• RPS Woman Science Photographer of the Year is open to women of all ages and backgrounds (open and under 18s; closing date TBC but expected March 2024)
• Minds Underground Competitions ; Minds Underground run a number of essay competitions each year covering a variety of STEM and other topics (all ages; closing dates vary but 2024 questions will be released January 2024, see website for full details)

UKBC Intermediate Biology Olympiad

Age: Students in first year of 16+ education

Registration opens: now open

Competition dates: 5–12 June 2024

This international, annual competition is open to students in the first year of post-16 education in the UK. The competition consists of a one-hour multiple choice paper that is taken online under formal exam conditions. Questions cover topics students will be familiar with alongside some new concepts to test their problem-solving skills and understanding of core principals.

Practice papers are available to print to help students prepare. The competition is free to enter for UK schools and participants receive an e-certificate that recognises their level of achievement.

Find more information, including registering your school to take part, on the  UKBC website .

Science writing competitions

Numerous essays competitions run each year covering all aspects and areas of STEM. Below is just a selection of some of the competitions out there. Entries into science writing competitions make great additions to UCAS applications, and they get students thinking about science, too.

• The Oxford Scientist Schools’ Science Writing Competition  (700-word magazine article; ages 15–18; deadline likely to be July 2024; prize includes £50 and being published in the magazine)
• Newnham College, Camb ridge (2000-word academic essay; age 16–18 women at state school only; deadline 8 July 2024; winners receive up to £400 to split with their school). Teachers can sign up to mailing lists now to hear more about this essay competition and other events from the college.

IET Faraday Challenge

Registration opens: January 2024 for the 2024–2025 season

Closes: July 2024

Faraday Challenges  are cross-curricular STEM activity days for UK schools run by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. This annual competition draws on students’ practical science and engineering skills, asking them to work in teams to solve real-world engineering problems and think creatively. Schools can host Challenge Days and invite teams from local schools to join them or apply to join a day at another school. Planning for these events starts early, so plenty of time to get organised for the day.

Teams should be made up of six students aged 12–13 years old (England and Wales Year 8, Scotland S1/S2, Northern Ireland Year 9). Schools may host a challenge day themselves or attend one hosted at another school.

Students win prizes for themselves and a trophy for their school. There is also a national league table and the top teams from across the UK go through to the national final, with the chance to win a cash prize of up to £1000 for their school. Plus, by taking part students will also meet the criteria for achieving a CREST Discovery Award.

If you are not able to enter into the main competition, there is also the opportunity for students to take part in the  Virtual Faraday Challenge  open to anyone aged 7–15.

Local to Newcastle?

Newcastle Secondary School SciFair  is a university-run secondary school science fair for students from state schools across Newcastle. Sci-Fair is a whole day event that will take place during British Science Week. Students can get the opportunity to present their models, posters or PowerPoint presentations about a scientific topic of their choosing. SciFair is open to ages 11–16. There are multiple prizes to be won on the day to recognise student’s efforts. Spaces are limited capacity, so students should wait for their projects to be approved before starting work.

EMBL Art and Science Project

Age: 14–18 Participation deadline: 31 August 2024

Discover the world of proteins with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and create an artwork inspired by what you’ve learned. Cash prizes of up to €100.

Visit the website to find out more. 

Deadlines passed:

Stockholm uk junior water prize.

Submissions open: 29 Feb 2024

Submission deadline: 13 May 2024

This prize challenges young people in STEM to develop innovative yet practical solutions to the global water crisis. Entrants decide on a topic or problem that they want to investigate and undertake background research and experimental work before submitting a full written report.

Students whose reports are shortlisted get to present their work virtually to the judges. The winning UK entry receives £1,000 cash prize and a fully funded trip to represent the UK and their school at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Sweden in August and be in with a chance to win the international grand prize of US$15,000!

Learn more on the  website .

UKBC Biology Challenge

Competition dates: 1–17 May 2024

The Biology Challenge is a fun, annual competition open to students aged 13–15 in the UK. The challenge compromises of two, 25-minute, multiple-choice papers, and students need to complete both papers to be considered for an award category.

The questions set cover the school curriculum, but also caters to budding biologists whose knowledge has been enhanced by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes and taking a keen interest in all things biology.

Practice papers are available to help students prepare. The competition is free to enter for UK schools and participants receive an e-certificate that recognises their category of achievement.

Find more information and register your school to take part on the  Biology Challenge website .

BIEA Youth STEAM Competition

Registration opens:  October 2023

Closes: April 2024 for first-round submissions

The  BIEA Youth STEAM Competition  asks students to use their creativity to come up with ideas for a more sustainable future based on a specific theme. The theme for 2024 has yet to be announced, but the theme for 2023 was “developing solutions for sustainable cities”. Students research, design and present their solution, including a written report.

Students can enter as individuals or in teams of up to five members and schools can enter more than one team. There are lots of competition categories to cover all age groups. Submissions are expected to be accepted from January 2024 and the international final to be in July 2024. Learn more on the competition  website .

Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) Science Challenge

Registration opens:  1 March 2024

Closes: 26 April 2024

Imperial College London’s RCSU Science Challenge is all about science communication – requiring students to demonstrate their skills in debate and reasoning and teach the public about science and its consequences. Questions on a given theme are set by eminent scientists – who even read the shortlisted entries, so there’s a real chance students’ work will be seen by world-leading academics. This year’s theme is Hidden depth.

Students can answer one of the questions in either written or video form of up to 1000 words or three minutes, 30 seconds, respectively. Winners receive cash prizes, plus there are non-cash prizes for the runners up.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the grand final on 21 June 2024 at the Royal Institution, where they will deliver a short presentation. Find more information about taking part on the  challenge website .

Unsung Heroes of Science video competition

Close s: 30 April 2024

The International  Unsung Heroes of Science video competition   from Hertford College, University of Oxford is open to all 16–18 students. Entrants are tasked with making a two-minute video sharing the story of a scientist whose contributions were overlooked. Entries can be submitted by individuals or in teams of up to three.

The competition website also has lesson plans and links to videos of previous unsung heros, which are great resources for teachers to inspire their students.

British Science Week poster competition

Age: 3–14 Registration opened: January 2024 Closes: March 2024

British Science Week will run from 8–17 March. Alongside numerous activities and events across the country, there will be a themed poster competition – and this year’s theme will is ‘time’.

Entrants can explore a wide range of ideas covered by the broad theme. Judges are on the look out for an innovative angle or creative interpretation of the theme; clear, accurate and informative content; and effective, engaging communication. This competition is a great way for students to practise their communication skills. There are numerous prizes up for grabs that cover all age categories.

Entrants can be teams or individuals from any organisation, although schools are limited to five entries. Find out more on the  website , including activity packs and other resources to make the most of British Science Week.

Big Bang Young Scientists and Engineers Competition

Age: 11–18 Registration opens:  October 2023 Closes: 27 March 2024

The Big Bang Competition  is open to young people aged 11 to 18 in state-funded education or who are home educated or who enter as part of a community group. Private school participants can get involved as part of a collaboration with state-school peers.

Participants complete project-based work, focusing on investigation, discovery and use of scientific methods. Students choose their own STEM topic and work to submit their project as a written report or short video. The possibilities are endless!

Students can include their involvement in the competition in their extracurricular activities on UCAS forms and personal statements and have a chance of winning a range of awards and cash prizes.

Find out how to get started and get inspired with past projects on the  Big Bang website .

MathWorks Math Modeling challenge

Age: 16–19 (England and Wales only) Registration opens:  November 2023 Closes: 24 February 2024

The  M3 Challenge  is an internet-based applied maths competition that inspires participants to pursue STEM education and careers. Working in teams of three to five students, participants have 14 consecutive hours to solve an open-ended maths-modelling problem based around a real issue during the challenge weekend, 1–4 March 2024.

The problem typically has a socially conscious theme – equity, the environment, conservation or recycling, energy use, health, and other topics that young people care about. The challenge gives students the opportunity to use maths modelling processes to represent, analyse, make predictions and otherwise provide insight into real-world phenomena. For example, 2023’s problem centred around modelling the impacts of e-bikes to better understand if they are likely to become part of a global, more sustainable energy plan.

Numerous free  resources , including modelling and coding handbooks, videos and sample problems are available to help teams prepare for the event.

The competition’s final presentation and awards ceremony event is held in New York City in late April – an all-expense paid experience for the finalist teams. These top teams will be awarded scholarships toward the pursuit of higher education, with members of the overall winning team receiving $20,000 (»£16,000).

For rules, resources and to register, visit the competition  website .

The Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition

Age: 16–18 Registration opens: now Closes:  30 September 2023 and 31 March 2024

The  Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition , run by Cambridge Assessment, is an exciting extra-curricular activity for teams of aspiring scientists who are studying with the Cambridge IGCSE or O Level science programmes.

Teams of three to six students choose a topic and work on a scientific investigation over 20–25 hours. The competition encourages investigations with some practical or community relevance and an eye on sustainability.

Projects may involve laboratory work and should include creative and collaborative working, critical thinking and reflection. Students should be given the opportunity to present their results to a wider audience, perhaps at a science fair or other school event.

Teachers provide initial project evaluations and the best are put forward for consideration by a panel of experts. The winning team receives a certificate and is featured on the competition website. The competition runs twice a year, so keep abreast of all the dates  on the website .

TeenTech Awards 

Age: 11–16 Registration opens: now Closes:  March 2024 for first-round submissions

The  TeenTech Awards  encourage students to see how they might apply science and technology to real-world problems across several different categories, from food and retail through the future of transport to wearable technology. Students identify an opportunity or a problem, suggest a solution and research the market.

Students can work in teams of up to three people and there are lots of award categories. All submitted projects receive feedback and a bronze, silver or gold award. The event is well supported with training sessions for teachers and students, so everyone knows what to expect and what the judges will be looking for!

The best projects go forward to the TeenTech Awards Final for judging and the winning school in each category will receive a cash prize. The final is expected to take place in London in June 2024.

Schools’ Analyst

Age: 16–17 Registration opens: soon Closes: 23 February 2024

The  Schools’ Analyst Competition  is returning to schools in 2024. Run collaboratively by the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund and the Royal Society of Chemistry, this event allows students to expand their chemistry knowledge and skills through practical analytical experiments. Students must be in Year 12 (England, Wales, NI)/S5 (Scotland)/5th Year (Ireland).

Schools and colleges register their interest to host a heat and, if randomly selected, can now enter up to 25 teams of three students to compete to be crowned the overall school winner. Each winning school team will then compete within their region to find regional winners. Regional winners receive a cash prize for themselves and their school.

Register your school  to take part by 23 February 2024. To take part, students only need access to standard school laboratory equipment and some consumables (a bursary is available for those who need it).

Equipment boxes are sent to 400 entrants, selected at random, and delivered in advance of the event. Results must be submitted by 17 May in Ireland (to ensure schools have the chance to award winners before the summer holidays) and 14 June elsewhere.

Slingshot Challenge

Age: 13–18 Registration opens: now Closes: 1 February 2024

The  Slingshot Challenge  is run by National Geographic and is an exciting opportunity for students to get involved with the global programme. Students can enter in teams of up to six. Individual entries are welcomed although all entries are expected to involve collaboration with peers, stakeholders, and/or marginalized communities.

Students work to prepare a short, 1-minute video, from topics with an environmental focus. Training sessions for teachers and resource/tool kits are available from the website and the providers can offer feedback and technical support ahead of official submissions.

Videos are expected to put forward compelling, evidence-based information and be engaging for the audience. A small number of motivating prizes are awarded each year to the student of up to $10,000.

For full details see the  Slingshot Challenge website .

UK Chemistry Olympiad 

Age: 16–18 (recommended) Registration opens: September 2023 Closes: January 2024

Run by the RSC, the  UK Chemistry Olympiad  is designed to challenge and inspire older secondary-school students, by encouraging them to push themselves, boost their critical problem-solving skills and test their knowledge in real-world situations.  Explore past papers  to get an idea of the types of questions involved.

There are three rounds that culminate with the prestigious  International Chemistry Olympiad , which will take place this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Round 1, a written test taken in your school, is scheduled to take place on 25 January 2024. Students then receive bronze, silver or gold certificates depending on their scores. Up to 30 students will then be selected to move on to the second round – a training weekend at the University of Nottingham. Four students will then be chosen to represent the UK in the international competition from 21–30 July 2024.

To get started, register your school or college. Do this and find out more information about preparing on the  Olympiad homepage .

Top of the Bench

Age: 14–16 Registration opens: soon Closes: January 2024

Top of the Bench  (TOTB) is an annual practical chemistry competition that has been running for over 20 years. It’s a long-standing favourite for students and teachers, and provides an opportunity for students to put their teamwork and practical skills to the test.

Regional heats are led by  RSC local sections  between October and January. The winning team from each heat progresses to the national final, held in the spring at a UK university (where there is also a session for teachers to explore resources and classroom ideas with one of the RSC’s education coordinators).

First prize is awarded to the best overall school performance, with five teams receiving runners up prizes. The Jacqui Clee Award is also awarded each year to the student who makes an outstanding individual contribution.

Teams must consist of four students: two from year 9/S2; one from year 10/S3; one from year 11/S4.

Find more information including past papers and how to apply on the  TOTB homepage .

Imperial College Science & Innovation Competition

Age:  4–adult Registration opens:  September  2023 Closes:  15 December 2023

The  Science & Innovation Competition , run by the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College, aims to motivate primary and secondary-aged children to engage with science, to encourage them to work as part of a team and engage in fun activities. Adults are also welcome to enter.

Teams of two to four people are asked to develop a new and innovative scientific solution to help achieve one of the  United Nation’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development . To enter, teams need to create a five-minute film that describes the science behind their idea. Finalists are invited to take part in an event during spring 2024 at Imperial College, London (date to be confirmed). Learn more on the  website .

Global essay competition: Young voices in the chemical sciences for sustainability

Age: 35 and under  Registration opens: now Closes: 31 March 2023

An  annual essay competition  on the role of the chemical sciences in sustainability, organised by the International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD) in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The competition is open globally to entrants under 35 years of age. The theme for the 2023 competition is: How can the chemical sciences lead the stewardship of the Earth’s element resources?

Essays will be grouped into seven regions for shortlisting and selection of winners, based on the entrant’s country of normal residence. Each regional winner will receive a prize of US$500 and their entries will be published in  RSC Sustainability . The shortlisted essays will be collected in an annual compendium,  Young voices in the chemical sciences for sustainability , available on the IOCD’s website. Individual shortlisted entries will also be featured from time to time on IOCD’s website.

Essays will be judged on how well they highlight the importance of scientific approaches grounded in the chemical sciences for solving sustainability challenges. Entrants should take a broad, global perspective, and reflect on the intersection of science, society and policy aspects, rather than describing a particular scientific advance in great technical detail. Essays must not exceed 1500 words of body copy.

Cambridge Chemistry Race

Age: 16–18 Registration opens: Mon 5 December 2022 Closes: February 2023

In the  Cambridge Chemistry Race , teams of 3–5 students solve as many theoretical problems as they can over the course of two hours – ranging from easy riddles to tasks of A-level difficulty and complex chemical problems.

Once a team has solved a question, the examiner verifies their answer and hands them the next question. Points are awarded based on the number of successful attempts. Whoever gets the most points wins!

Students are allowed to use a calculator, books, notes, and printed literature. The challenge aims to test problem-solving skills and chemical understanding rather than knowledge. Explore past questions and solutions  here  to get an idea of what’s in store.

Schools may only enter one team each and places are first come first served.

The competition is run in collaboration with the University of Cambridge’s Department of Chemistry. This year, it is joined by the University of Oxford too, so students may compete in either city. The competition will take place on Saturday 4 February 2023. Learn more on the  competition website .

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20 Science Research Competitions for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, why should you enter a science research competition, how do science research competitions affect my admissions chances.

Participation in science research competitions offers many benefits to students; for example, it can make them more competitive candidates for college admissions and provide them with valuable experience in a sought-after field. There’s a wide variety of science research competitions for high schoolers, including the high-profile contests listed below.

Entering a science research competition demonstrates that you take initiative and that you care about academics beyond the grades in your courses, both of which are qualities that colleges appreciate in prospective students.

Participation in competitions is a strong extracurricular activity, and successes—like making the finals or winning—can provide you with a chance to earn a scholarship, make your college application more attention-grabbing, or even open doors, such as laying the groundwork for a career in science research and helping you land an internship.

Another way to showcase your initiative and skills is to work on an independent research paper. There are a number of ways to do independent research, including working with a high school teacher, reaching out to local professors, or taking part in a structured research program. 

For example, the  Lumiere Research Scholar Program is one type of structured research program tailored for high school students. In the program, you work 1-1 with a researcher on an independent research project. The program is run by researchers from Harvard and helps create the structure for you to get started quickly doing your own research. Many of Lumiere’s alums have used their research in the structured program to then apply to research competitions like ISEF.  

Whether you participate in a structured program first or dive right into a competition, engaging in research allows you to explore one of your interests deeply, while simultaneously boosting your profile for college admissions.

1. American Academy of Neurology – Neuroscience Research Prize

Grades: 9-12

Type: National

The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize competition challenges students to investigate problems regarding the brain or nervous system. The competition is only open to individual students—group projects are ineligible. Teachers are encouraged to provide guidance and support; however, they should allow students to demonstrate their own creativity. Winners and their projects are highlighted at the AAN Annual Meeting.

2. Envirothon

Type: State and National

Envirothon is North America’s largest environmental education competition, with more than 25,000 students participating in the multi-level competition each year. Student teams are first challenged at state-level competitions with the winners moving on to face top teams from across the globe at the annual international competition.

The international competition is a six-day event held in a different location each summer—for example, in an open range of the western U.S. one year, and at a Maritime coastal community of eastern Canada the next. The competition offers participants the chance to win thousands of dollars in scholarships.

3. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Type: Local, Regional, and International

The Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition—more than 1,800 high school students, representing more than 75 countries, regions, and territories, take part. Students showcase independent research and compete for roughly $8 million in awards across 21 categories .

This is not a group-based competition—individual students enroll in local school science fairs before advancing to upper-level competitions in hopes of reaching the national stage.

4. National Science Bowl

Hosted by the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., the National Science Bowl is a highly publicized competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics, including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy, and math. Students compete in teams of four (plus an alternate) and have a teacher who serves as an advisor.

The National Science Bowl is one of the largest science competitions in the country—roughly 330,000 students have participated in it throughout its 32-year history.

5. National Science Olympiad

One of the nation’s premier STEM competitions, the National Science Olympiad is the pinnacle of achievement for the country’s top Science Olympiad teams. In 2022, the U.S. top 120 teams, plus a Global Ambassador Team from Japan (for a total of more than 2,000 students) squared off in a variety of events for the chance to be named the Science Olympiad National Champions.

Teams also compete annually for the opportunity to win prizes and scholarships, including a one-time $10,000 Science Olympiad Founders’ Scholarship. About 6,000 teams compete each year, beginning at the regional level in hopes of reaching the national competition.

6. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

Established in 1942 and hosted by the Society for Science, the Regeneron Science Talent Search is considered the most prestigious high school science research competition in the nation. The competition tasks young scientists with presenting their original research before a panel of nationally recognized professional scientists.

Of the 1,800 entrants, 300 Regeneron STS scholars are selected—they and their schools are awarded $2,000 each. Forty finalists are then picked from the pool of scholars. They receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they compete for an additional $1.8 million in awards, with a top prize of $250,000.

7. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Type: Regional, State, National, and International

In this competition, students from around the world seek to address the current and future water challenges facing the world. Competition for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize occurs on four levels: regional, state, national, and international.

• Regional winners receive a certificate and a nomination to compete in the state competition.
• State winners receive a medal and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the national competition.
• National winners receive a trophy, a $10,000 scholarship, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden.
• International winners receive a crystal trophy and a $15,000 scholarship, along with a $5,000 award for their school.

In order to participate, students can begin to research and develop a practical project proposal either as an individual or with a group. To reach the national level, students must be nominated by a national organizer representing their country.

8. TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

To participate in this competition, students must submit a video of up to 3 minutes that demonstrates an interest in and understanding of a topic in psychology that they think could benefit their local community and improve lives. Students must also utilize at least one peer-reviewed research study on their topic, and must include a closing slide citing their source(s). Up to three winners are chosen to receive a $300 scholarship.

9. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) National Competition

Type: Regional and National

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National Competition is one of the country’s longest-running STEM competitions—participants are required to submit and present scientific research papers and compete for military-sponsored undergraduate scholarships.

The JSHS national competition is the result of a collaborative effort between the Department of Defense and academic research institutes nationwide. It is designed to emulate a professional symposium. Research projects are organized into categories such as Environmental Science, Engineering and Technology, and Medicine and Health. After competing regionally, about 250 students are chosen to attend an annual symposium to showcase their work.

10. MIT THINK Scholars Program

In the fall of each year, interested students can enter project proposals into competition for selection from a group of undergraduate students at MIT. If selected, students will be able to carry out their project—receiving up to $1000 in funding to complete their research. They’ll also be invited to a four-day symposium at MIT the following year.

Finalists are guided with weekly mentorship and will have the opportunity to present their findings to MIT students and faculty at the end of the program.

11. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision

Grades: K-12

In this competition, students compete in groups of 2-4 to select a technology and forecast how it will evolve over the next decade or beyond, while discussing the scientific achievements that will need to be made to get there.

Students will submit an abstract as well as a detailed description paper that is not to exceed 11 pages. In doing so, they will be entered into competition and considered for a number of financial awards, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., for the ExploraVision Awards Weekend. The competition is nationally recognized and is sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association.

12. Conrad Challenge

Teams of 2-5 students are tasked with designing and detailing project proposals to tackle various problems categories such as Aerospace & Aviation, Health & Nutrition, Cyber-Technology & Security, and Energy & Environment. In doing so, they will identify problems in the world and come up with a feasible and innovative solution, working with judges and mentors along the way.

Finalists will be selected from the competing teams and invited to the Innovation Summit in Houston, where they will pitch their projects to judges and potentially receive numerous prizes and awards, ranging from scholarships to consulting services.

13. USA Biolympiad Competition

Type: National and International

Over the course of two years, students will undergo multiple rounds of testing that will eventually pinpoint twenty finalists to be selected for training in a residential program with the goal of representing the USA in the International Biology Olympiad. As such, this is one of the most prestigious and difficult competitions, not just in biology, but in all high school sciences. However, the experience is second to none, and is the ultimate test for students devoted to the future of biology.

14. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

While not exclusive to STEM, the Davidson Fellows program offers various major scholarships for students interested in careers in sciences. Listed as one of the “ 10 Biggest Scholarships in the World ,” this program requires students to submit a variety of components related to an independent research study with the broad goal of contributing positively to society through the advancement of science. Students will submit multiple essays as well as a video summary, and must include an additional visual model reporting their findings.

15. Destination Imagination

Type: Regional, State, National, International

Destination Imagination is another worldwide competition that includes a variety of subjects, but it specializes in science-based challenges. Students will form teams and choose from a list of different challenges to compete in in categories such as Technical, Scientific, and Engineering.

Students will solve these challenges and present their solutions in regional competitions. Regional winners will move on to statewide competitions before being invited to the Global Finals, where over 8,000 students from 28 states and 12 countries compete for awards. 150,000 students compete annually in the competition at some level.

16. Breakthrough Junior Challenge

For students looking for a more creatively inspired and unconventional competition, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge tasks students with creating a short two-minute video in which they explain and demonstrate a complex scientific concept.

Does that sound simple enough? Over 2,400 students from over 100 countries submitted videos in 2022, meaning there’s no shortage of competition here. Winning applicants will need to demonstrate immense creativity and understanding of complex scientific concepts, but rest assured—the prize is worth the difficulty.

The winner will receive a $250,000 scholarship for accredited colleges and universities, as well as a $100,000 grant to the winner’s school for the development of a science lab, and a $50,000 award to a teacher of the winner’s choosing.

17. Biotechnology Institute: BioGENEius Challenge

Students from across the country are invited to participate in the Biotechnology Institute’s BioGENEius Challenge, where they’ll be able to choose to complete a project in the Healthcare, Sustainability, or Environment categories. If accepted, students will need to complete an extensive research project and demonstrate results, and then compete in either local or a virtual “At-Large” competition, with other student competitors from around the world.

18. Genes in Space

Grades: 7-12

For students interested in the science of space and its overlap with our current understanding of the human genome, this competition combines these two worlds by tasking students with designing a DNA experiment that addresses challenges in space exploration and travel.

Students will submit a project proposal, and semifinalists will be selected to pitch their experiments in Seattle. After doing so, finalists will be selected to work with mentors and scientists from schools, such as Harvard and MIT, to design a real-life experiment. One finalist’s experiment will win the opportunity to be conducted at the International Space Station. The lucky winner will travel to the Kennedy Space Center to see the winning experiment’s launch!

19. Odyssey of the Mind

Students will form teams to compete in a variety of STEM-based challenges in this global problem-solving competition, culminating in a World Finals competition that takes place in East Lansing, Michigan.

Over 800 teams from 33 states and 15 countries compete each year in challenges ranging from designing vehicles to building small structures that can withstand hundreds of pounds. These challenges are designed to encourage creativity in the performative and presentational elements of competition.

20. U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

Type: Regional, National, International

Students interested in Chemistry are able to participate in the USNCO, in which they’ll take rigorous exams to prove their skills in the Chemistry field. Top test-takers will be selected to attend a prestigious Study Camp, where they’ll compete for the chance to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Interested students can contact their Local Coordinator, who can be found through the program’s website.

The influence your participation in science research competitions can have on your college admissions varies—considerations such as how well you performed and the prestige of the event factor into how admissions officers view the competition. That being said, the four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good general guide for understanding how colleges view your activities outside the classroom.

The most esteemed and well-known science research competitions are organized into Tiers 1 and 2. Extracurricular activities in these categories are extremely rare, demonstrate exceptional achievement, and hold considerable sway with admissions officers. Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more modest accomplishments—like winning a regional (rather than a national) competition—and carry less weight at colleges than their higher-tiered counterparts.

Generally, participation in a science research competition will be considered at least a Tier 2 activity. As stated before, this varies depending on the competition and your performance. For example, being a finalist or winner in something like the Regeneron Science Talent Search or the International Biology Olympiad—prestigious national and international competitions—is very likely to be considered a Tier 1 achievement.

However, lower-tiered extracurriculars are still valuable, as they show colleges a more well-rounded picture of you as a student, and highlight your desire to pursue your interests outside of school.

Curious how your participation in science research competitions affects your odds of college admissions? Collegevine can help. Our free chancing calculator uses factors like grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities—like science research competitions— to calculate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges across the country! You can even use the information provided to identify where you can improve your college profile and ultimately bolster your odds of getting into your dream school.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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The Antibody Society

the official website of the antibody society

An international non-profit supporting antibody-related research and development.

Science Writing Competition

The next Science Writing Competition for

Student & post-doc members opens march 1, 2024, in the meantime, you can read the winning essays here ..

Clear, concise communication is essential to make your science accessible! The Antibody Society is offering you a chance to grow this skill through a Science Writing Competition . You will hone your ability to research a topic, synthesize knowledge, and express yourself in a coherent and persuasive manner by participating in this competition.

We invite you to submit an essay of 1200 – 1500 words on a topic related to antibody research. Feel free to use an eye-catching self-generated high-resolution graphic (jpg format) to help make your main point. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

• Antibody engineering
• Antibody therapeutics
• Fc effector function and neutralization
• Bispecific antibodies
• Antibody-drug conjugates
• Adaptive immune receptor repertoires

 Winners receive broad exposure of their work, a $400 cash prize, and the option of a free registration to: 1) Schrödinger’s online course, Introduction to Computational Antibody Engineering ; or 2) virtual Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics .  

Two winners (1 student, 1 post-doc) will be selected by our panel of judges based on the originality, creativity, clarity, and structure of their essays.

Send your essay to [email protected] as a Word document. The first 30 submissions will be considered for the competition. Please include your contact details and whether you are a student or post-doc in your email.

Essay submission deadline: May 15, 2024

Essays should be written for a general reader. Guidance on effective scientific writing can be found here and here .

Entry is limited to The Antibody Society student and post-doc members.

Not a member? Register for your free membership!

View winning essays from previous Science Writing Competitions here

Please note that all entrants must abide by the competition rules:.

The Science Writing Competition is open only to Society student and postdoctoral members ( membership is free ). Essays must be the original work of the entrant. Essays should be no more than 1500 words. Entries should be submitted to [email protected] in Word format. Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Essays that have won prizes in other competitions are not eligible. By entering you grant permission for the essay be published on the Society’s website if you are selected as a winner.

This competition is organized and managed by the Society’s Communications & Membership Committee .

• Privacy & Terms of Use
• Directors and Officers
• Sponsors & Partners
• Mission & Activities
• Join the Society
• Membership Levels
• Members only
• Antibody therapeutics approved or in regulatory review in the EU or US
• Meeting reports
• Presentations

By submitting your essay, you give the Berkeley Prize the nonexclusive, perpetual right to reproduce the essay or any part of the essay, in any and all media at the Berkeley Prize’s discretion.  A “nonexclusive” right means you are not restricted from publishing your paper elsewhere if you use the following attribution that must appear in that new placement: “First submitted to and/or published by the international Berkeley Undergraduate Prize for Architectural Design Excellence ( www.BerkeleyPrize.org ) in competition year 20(--) (and if applicable) and winner of that year’s (First, Second, Third…) Essay prize.” Finally, you warrant the essay does not violate any intellectual property rights of others and indemnify the BERKELEY PRIZE against any costs, loss, or expense arising out of a violation of this warranty.

Registration and Submission

You (and your teammate if you have one) will be asked to complete a short registration form which will not be seen by members of the Berkeley Prize Committee or Jury.

REGISTER HERE.

Additional Help and Information

The Oxford Scientist

The University of Oxford's independent science magazine

Schools Competition

Take part in The Oxford Scientist Schools Competition 2024!

We are excited to announce the details of the 2024 edition of The Oxford Scientist Schools Competition. Please read each section below and the FAQ carefully as there are new rules and procedures for 2024.

Update for 2024: In response to an ever-evolving landscape with generative AI tools, such as Chat GPT, we have reworked our marking procedures to maintain fairness and rigour. Please note that as of 2024, the essay must be submitted by your UK school teacher. Link to join Teacher Mailing list to be notified upon future competitions.

Students may choose from ONE of the following themes:

“Evolution: anything and everything from Survival to Free Will”

“Data and humans in the digital age”

Guidelines for Submissions

• Eligibility: Open to students in Year 10 to Year 13 (or equivalent*) attending a UK school, college, or sixth form (School must be physically addressed in the UK)
• Titles: Students should select one of the themes and then research and choose a specific area or topic to discuss in their essay.
• Essay Requirements: Essays must be the student’s original work, independently written without any form of plagiarism, including the use of pre-written texts or artificial intelligence-generated content. Articles should be relevant to the chosen theme and demonstrate originality, quality of analysis, and engagement with the topic.
• Word Limit: Maximum of 700 words. No bibliography is required.
• Submission Process: Please coordinate with your school teacher to submit your essay. Teachers can find the submission portal here .
• Deadline: Submissions must be received by Midnight, Wednesday 10th July, 2024.

Click here for Teacher Submission Portal .

All essays must be submitted by teachers on behalf of their students at school. If you have alternative schooling or mitigating circumstances please see the FAQ or email [email protected] .

Additional Information: Both themes will be marked equally and students are encouraged to have the freedom to explore any relevant ideas ranging from present-day ideas and developments, computation and AI to historic ideas, and philosophical concepts. We are really interested to hear your original ideas , but please make sure that they are relevant to the theme! Articles will be judged by our panel of experts. Please take note that your submissions will be assessed on  relevance to the question, quality of scientific analysis, originality, writing style and grammar, interest to a general audience, and factual accuracy.  You should try to write at a level that would be simple enough for someone who has an interest in science but isn’t an expert on the topic you are writing about.

Awards & Opportunities

• Publication: Winning articles will be featured in the Oxford Scientist magazine and on our website, showcasing your work to a broad audience.
• Feedback Session with Competition Officials: Winners and runners-up will be invited to an exclusive feedback session with competition organizers. This is a unique chance to gain insights and improve your scientific communication skills.
• Supercurricular: This competition offers a fantastic opportunity to explore scientific topics beyond your school curriculum, and it’s a standout addition to university applications. We encourage entries from all students, regardless of previous experience in science writing.
• Opportunities for Finalists: Articles from competitors who reach the final round may also be considered for publication by our affiliated partners, giving even non-winners a platform to share their innovative ideas.

This competition is rigorously marked by the Oxford Scientist and by senior judges. Recently, in the 2023 Competition judged by a distinguished panel of senior judges, including Nobel Prize-winning physician scientist Sir Peter Ratcliffe, Environmental Researcher Dr Anna Murgatroyd, Senior Researcher in Translational Proteomics Dr Darragh O’Brien and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Hannah Jones. The competition is run by the Oxford Scientist team and led by Franziska Guenther and Gavin Man.

Examples of winning essays from previous competitions can be found here . We strongly recommend that you read our  FAQs  before you start writing your article. If you have any further questions about the competition, please email [email protected] .

*(Year 14, 13, 12, 11 in Northern Ireland and S3, S4, S5, S6 in Scotland)

Click here for Teacher Submission Portal

Join our Teacher Mailing List to be notified for future competition releases!

Our Sponsors

This competition is proudly sponsored by UK Schooling is an education company based in Brighton and Hove, UK, which specialises in UK University preparation, subject tuition and Summer Exchange courses. UK Schooling runs many courses to help students to push beyond the curriculum and get ahead of the curve in their subject and classes for top school and university admissions in the UK. ukschooling.co.uk

We are also sponsored by Examable , a UK based educational firm that specialises in creating revision and learning resources for students applying to Top Independent Schools and for Leading UK Universities. Checked and approved by a team of Oxford University students, designers and GCSE & A level examiners. examable.co.uk

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• Murray Edwards College Franklin Society: Essay Competition 2021
• She Talks Science

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Franklin society essay competition 2021.

To enter the competition, students should choose one of the following questions to answer:

• Can we cure cancer? Use examples to back up your argument.
• From medical imaging to new microscopy techniques, physics can be applied in many ways to biological sciences. Discuss how this multidisciplinary approach is useful, giving specific examples.
• How can a knowledge of science help us tackle climate change?
• The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the massive problem of scientific misinformation. Discuss the importance of the scientific process in ensuring published research is reliable, and how it can be applied to prevent misinformation spreading.

The writers of the best essays will receive a prize: £50 for first place, £30 for second place and £20 for third place. The top three essays will also be posted online on the Franklin Society's Facebook page.

If you would like to take part, send your essay (between 1,000 and 3,000 words) to [email protected] with the email subject “Franklin Society Essay competition 2021” by 12 noon on 31 May 2021. Please include your full name, email address and the name of your school/college with your submission.

Take a look at the following documents for further information:

Competition details, judging criteria and top tips

Terms and conditions

Winners should be chosen by the end of June. Good luck!

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Bell burnell society essay competition 2023, related information, science at cambridge: building robots (and self-belief), college student wins mesa dissertation award, believe in extraordinary – new acquisitions to the new hall art collection., juliette bretan: work placement in warsaw, poland.

Essay Contest

The 2024 Essay Contest is now closed. Winners will be announced in July.

About the Contest

The Lasker Essay Contest engages early career scientists and clinicians from the US and around the globe in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine and the role of biomedical research in our society today. The Contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to broad audiences. The topic is announced annually in early February, and winners are announced in mid-July.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to medical school students, interns, residents, and fellows; doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences; and graduate students training in health professions programs e.g., public health, dental, pharmacy, etc who are currently doing research. Applicants (from the US or any other countries) must be currently participating in an educational program. This program may be located in any country.

Winners will receive up to $5,000. Monetary prizes will be directed to the winner’s university to be used towards the winner’s educational expenses.

Essays should be 800 words or less and must be written in English. We allow only one essay submission per applicant, and the essay must be written by a single author. The use of any generative AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT) in composing an entry is prohibited – all essays will be screened with software designed to detect use of AI. Essays need to be original; content previously published will be disqualified.The file containing the essay should include the essay title and the applicant’s name, email, and institutional affiliation. The 800-word limit applies to the body of the essay. Field-specific scientific jargon should be avoided or explained.

Evaluation Criteria

Essays will be evaluated based on their originality, quality of writing, style, and clarity. Essays that are not written in English or are longer than 800 words will not be considered.

Publication

The winning essays will be published in the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation .

All Winners

Meet the Winners of the 2023 Essay Contest and Read the Essays

Meet the Winners of the 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

Meet the Winners of the 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2020 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2019 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2018 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2017 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2016 Essay Contest

Winners of 2015 Essay Contest: The “Research Challenge”

2014 Essay Contest: Supporting Medical Research

Read the winning essays.

Allison R. Chen Research Training in an AI World

Louise O. Downs Is a Test Better Than No Test When There Is No Treatment?

Ayush Kumar Using HG1222 — A Perspective Into the Ethics of Collecting Biospecimens

Salman E. Qasim The Human Brain: The Final Frontier and the Wild West

Sneha P. Rath Cementing the Bricks

Kaelyn Cummins Microbes, Medicine, and Astronauts: Reflections on a Collaborative Project

Azmina Karukappadath Two Fields, One Dream

Hussain Lalani I Would Be Scared if I Heard That Too

Rutvij Merchant Pathways to Global Health Equity: More Seats, Fresh Perspectives

Kirti Nath Puzzles

Avik Ray Unified Diversity: The Team Game

Ziad Ali What Happens Now?

Banafsheh Nazari Embracing Technology, the Pandemic’s Lesson for Us

Trisha Pasricha One more question

Miriam Saffern My Mother is a Layperson

Adina Schonbrun The Cornerstone of Scientific Success: Unsung Frontline Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emily Ashkin Michael Bishop: A Scientist for the Next Generation

David Basta For the Love of Science

Avash Das Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein: Tribute to My Inspiration

William Dunn Sweet Are the Uses of Adversity

Safwan Elkhatib Salk, Sabin, and the Crown of Health

Laurel Gabler Putting “People’s Health in People’s Hands”: How the Bangs Inspired my Personal Journey

Kwabena Kusi-Mensah As One Single Tribe: Thinking Globally and Locally

Lisa Learman With the Corn, Against the Grain

Olivia Lucero Genetics as a Tool for Generational Empowerment

Hannah Mason My Gym Genie: Gathering Inspiration from Dr. John Schiller

Samantha Wong Fauci: Science as a Voice of Reason

Grace Beggs Game On: Smartphone Technology for Science Education

Peter John Making it All Fun and Games in the Biomedical Sciences

Dereck Paul Pathways: A National Mentorship Program for High School Students Underrepresented in Science and Medicine

David Hartmann Cancer Survivors: Outstanding Advocates for Trust in Science

Debra Karhson A Verification Vaccine for Social Contagion

Caroline Vissers Diversity at the Top of the Social Media Signaling Cascade

Abigail Cline Science and Cinema: From the Benchtop to the Big Screen

Tammy Tran Science Is Everywhere: Unexpected Science Encounters in the Course of Everyday Life

Michael Wu Search for Science: Smart Search-Linked Discussion Forums

Jennifer Bratburd Breaking through Barriers to Science with Citizen Science

Apurva Lunia Dissemination of Biomedical Research Via Multimedia Platforms Using Existing Healthcare Frameworks

Jessica Sagers Let’s Get Real: (Re)making Scientists Into People

David Ottenheimer Modern Neuroscience Has the Tools to Treat Psychiatric Illness

Therese Woodring (Korndorf) Hacking the Bacterial Social Network: Quorum Sensing and the Future of Microbial Management

Unikora Yang The Cutting Edge of DNA Editing: Translating CRISPR to Improve Human health

David Hill Mutual Understanding: Uncovering the Mechanistic Basis of the Host-Symbiont Relationship in Human Health

Joseph Rathkey In Silico Modeling as an Ideal Platform for Future Biological Research and Discovery

Stephanie Ng Depression and the Final Frontier

Omar Toubat Mastering the Genetic Reprogramming of Cells

Peter Soh Offering Incentives for Future Scientists

Michael Burel Catalyzing Broad Public Interest in Scientific Research

Nick Andresen Crowdsourcing a Medical Research Donation Database

Gregg Gonsalves Researchers as Advocates and Activists

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IET Faraday® Challenge Days 2024-25

IET Faraday® Challenge Days are free, one-day STEM activity days that introduce students to engineering, inspire them to consider engineering as a career and help to develop their practical and employability skills, including team-working, problem-solving and creative thinking. They are designed as cross-curricular activity days covering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Our Challenge Days give six teams of six students, aged 12-13 years (England and Wales Year 8, Scotland S1/S2, Northern Ireland Year 9), the opportunity to research, design and make prototype solutions to real-world engineering problems. This annual competition, with events covering the whole of the UK, sees teams competing to win a prize for their school. The top teams at the end of the season are invited to the National Finals to battle it out to be crowned the IET Faraday® National Champions and win a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.

The events will be set up and run by our team of STEM professionals at no charge to UK schools. Please note: each school can only take part once per season.

Schools, organisations or universities can apply to take part in one of three ways:

Option A: host one of our Challenge Leader-led IET Faraday® Challenge Days at their school with the option to invite teams from up to five other local schools. Option B: apply to be an invited school and take one team from their school along to another local event. Option C: host one of our Challenge Leader-led IET Faraday® Challenge Days at their organisation/university and invite teams from up to six local schools.

Deadline for applications is Friday 24th May 2024.

Details here .

No Adults Allowed Gardening Competition

What's it all about?

Pupils from Sulivan Primary School in London have been working with garden designer Harry Holding to create the brief and design for their very own show garden. The pupils have chosen to design a No Adults Allowed Garden, a safe space for children to learn, play and explore.

To celebrate the garden, we are asking children and young people across the UK to design their own No Adults Allowed Garden. If you're a primary school, enter to be in with the chance of winning £1,000 which will help to bring their ideas to life within their school grounds.

To take part and the first 1,000 primary schools will receive a special No Adults Allowed competition pack in the post, containing a youth-led design booklet, teachers notes, a poster and a packet of microgreens seeds, kindly provided by Grow Sow Greener. More information here

'Brilliant Poetry'!

Write a poem that is 40 lines or less and related to science.

First - £1,000

Second - £500

Third - £250

Closing date, 21 June 2024.

Details here . 

The Eurekas

This year, we challenge entrants to answer the question: Can physics help us solve mysteries?

Closing date, 10 June 2024.

Science in Medicine School Teams Prize

This year we have 5 contests to enter:

• The British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Prize
• The Lung Prize
• The Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK Prize
• The Vasculitis UK Prize
• The Global Health Prize

Closing date for submissions, Monday, July 1st.

Starpack Schools Competition 2024

There are three briefs for secondary schools with separate  categories for years 7 & 8, 9 & 10 and year 12: 

• Product design brief 
• Product analysis brief 
• Packaging research brief

In addition, we have launched a brief for KS2 focussing on  recycling packaging and identifying packaging materials. 

The briefs have all been designed in such a way that they  may be incorporated into your scheme of work for delivery  in lessons, or they can be run as an extracurricular activity  such as a STEM club or STEM Day. 

Registration opens in early June and a package of guidance  and support is available for each brief. The competition is  free to enter, and great prizes are available for the winning  pupils. 

Closing date for submissions 26 July 2024.

Details and registration here .

The Special Species Game

Every species has its own unique scientific name that is chosen by the individual or team that discovers it. The name usually reflects something about the species itself.

Carl Linnaeus came up with the 'binomial' naming system, which means two names. Every species is known by two names - we are Homo sapiens (meaning human thinking, or wise).

You can come up with your own Special Species by combining together different latin or greek words and imagining what the species would look like and why the species might have developed those features through evolution.

There are three main ways to create your own Special Species:

• Use our online Random Special Species Generators 
• Download and print our special species card game
• Use the power of your imagination (maybe with some guidance from our word lists)

We will be highlighting great works as we receive them. Winners are awarded every year in April, July, September and December.

2024 Oxford Scientist Schools Competition,

Essay Task: Students are invited to write a 700-word essay on one of two themes available on our website.

Year groups: Year 10 - 13 (Year groups marked separately)

Benefits: This is an invaluable opportunity to develop interests in science, mathematics, and the humanities. Participation is highly beneficial for enhancing personal statements and school references, as our past winners have included both science and humanities students. Year 12a may particular benefit as this is one of the last competitions in the academic year!

Rewards: (Winners will be announced 1st September before UCAS deadlines)

• Winners will have their articles published and printed, receive certificates from our esteemed judges, and participate in a detailed feedback session with our team among other prizes. 
• Finalists will also have the opportunity to have their work published on our partnered sites, allowing more students to receive recognition on their work. 
• Deadline: All submissions must be received by Wednesday, 10th July 2024.   Details here 

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The Ultimate Guide to STEM Competitions & Events for 2024

Competition can ignite a hidden spark with us, transporting otherwise mundane moments into thrilling opportunities. Whether competing in sports match-ups or STEM events, online or in person, solo or as part of a team, competition can propel us forward, driving innovation and excellence. 

Local showdowns and nationwide spectacles in STEM provide the chance for budding enthusiasts and seasoned champions alike to understand their skills, test them against highly skilled peers, and set their sights on areas for improvement.

2024 Update: This list includes some events in 2025 and others who have yet to announce their 2024 plans. We recommend bookmarking competitions that look like a good fit and signing up for updates directly from the competition websites. We also set aside a separate online math competitions post and hope to cover additional subjects soon!

What is a STEM competition?

STEM competitions allow for individual or student teams to solve a specific challenge or problem through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Many of these challenges are rooted in real-world issues, encouraging participants to use creativity and critical thinking in order to come up with innovative solutions. 

Benefits of STEM competitions

In fact, STEM competitions provide much-needed structure to those who are just looking to get started in science, technology, engineering, and math, while also acting as a skill-building opportunity for those further along in coding , game development , robotics , investing , and much more.

Benefits of STEM competitions include opportunities for students to think critically and work autonomously in some instances, or in others, to work together in teams, strengthening collaborative and social skills.

Also, for those taking their first steps in STEM, the right competition can provide a low-pressure, low barrier to entry opportunity. For more advanced students, plenty of more involved, limit-testing experiences are available.

And let's not forget—most competitions have prizes, which means, especially for online and virtual events, a STEM competition can stand out as a way for kids to earn money from home . 

Anyway, as you can see, much like  STEM programs for kids , such events offer opportunities for anyone falling anywhere on the experience scale. Either way, all participants can expect real-world problem solving, challenges requiring hands-on involvement, and out-of-the-box thinking—not bad, right? We haven’t talked about the fun and enjoyment factor.

How to get started

As mentioned, the good thing is, there are tons of competitions to consider—and more being added each year—with some solely taking place online and others requiring more in-person involvement.

The bad thing? I have no idea where you live, and will have to do my best to list all of the major STEM competitions I can find! Thus, this list is fluid, and while we are only a few months into the new year, some opportunities have already come and gone.

So keep this post in your pocket! Refer to it regularly, and let me know in the comments if you have an event you think should be added.

Please note that iD Tech has no affiliation with any of these events, and this listing does not serve as an endorsement. These are simply snapshots of the different events at this time. For up to date info, you’ll want to check each listed website for dates and other specifics.

New 2024 STEM competitions

2024 national stem challenge.

What: Using the scientific method or engineering design process, carry out a project that encourages responsible stewardship of the environment and its natural resources. Teams must illustrate their innovation in a 3-page PDF document to vie for the chance to represent their state/territory.

Who: Students in grades 6-12.

When: For the 2023-2024 cycle, September 12, 2023 marked the start of the Ideation & Design Phase. Teams had a window of October 4 to November 15 to submit their entries, and challenge finalists were announced December 22, 2023. On February 12, 2024, the top 200 National Champions were announced—they earned an all-expenses-paid vacation to the National Stem Festival on April 12, 2024. Expect future iterations to follow similar cycles.

Where: The National STEM Festival is hosted in Washington, D.C. in 2024.

Prize: Champions have the opportunity to present their projects to some of the most influential leaders in the country.

Get involved: Visit https://nationalstemchallenge.com/2024 and https://activatelearning.com/2024-national-stem-challenge-unleash-creativity-and-innovation-in-your-students/

Neuroscience Research Prize

What: The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize aims to stimulate high school students' exploration of the brain and nervous system, recognizing scientific potential and honoring supportive science teachers.

What else to know: Applicants must submit a completed form, a 300-word abstract, a research report, and a bibliography, along with 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 in problem-solving, data interpretation, and the quality of the research report. Projects must address neurological aspects, demonstrate creative problem-solving, offer feasible methodologies, and present organized reports with clear figures and tables.

Who: Open to high school students in the United States, regardless of age (this project is for individual competition only—teams are not allowed).

When: Applications opened June 27, 2023 and closed November 2. Applications are reviewed, and finalist notifications are announced in January 2024. Finalists undergo additional evaluation by two judges, with winners chosen based on the criteria outlined above.

Where: Virtual

Prize: Three runner-up prize winners receive $1,000, a certificate of merit, and the chance to present their project during a poster session at the 76th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Denver, CO. Additionally, all three winners and their parent/mentor receive free coach flight tickets, two nights of accommodations, $100 per diem for expenses up to two days, and complimentary AAN Meeting registration. The first-place prize winner will receive an additional night, ground transportation, and the chance to present their poster at the 2024 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting.

Get involved: https://www.aan.com/research/neuroscience-research-prize 

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Jr. Try-Math-A-Lon (TMAL)

What: Try-Math-A-Lon (TMAL) is a tutoring initiative targeting underrepresented STEM groups, nurturing study skills and readiness for exams like ACT and SAT, enhancing STEM course success, and encouraging competition and sportsmanship. Teams of 9th to 12th-grade students engage in in-person team testing and a quiz bowl within TMAL competitions.

Who: Teams can be made up of four students and a required alternate (grades 9 and 10 for Lower Division and grades 11 and 12 for Upper Division). All teammates must be active members of NSBE Jr.

When: Each team participates in the FRC (Fall Regional Conferences) Competitions and takes a Performance Assessment Test (PAT)—results were due February 19, 2024. Finalists attend the TMAL National Competition from March 20-24, 2024.

Where: The NSBE’s 50th Annual Convention is held in Atlanta, GA. The TMAL National Competition takes place here.

Prize: Visit the website to learn about prizes for the Upper Division and Lower Division groups.

Get involved: https://www.nsbe.org/K-12/Programs/Try-Math-A-Lon-(TMAL)  

United States Super STEM Competition

What: The United States Super STEM Competition (USSSC) is a nonprofit organization hosting an annual event aimed at challenging the creativity of middle school, high school, and college students. The 2023 focus is on showcasing innovative skills towards the common goal of success. Participants register online for their desired division, adhere to Official Rules while building their projects, and submit within specified dates for recognition awards. Eligible students can also apply for the Susan Sanford Memorial STEM Scholarship.

Who: Any/all students in the world – regardless of educational institution affiliation – are eligible to participate.

When: Registration is from January 1 to May 31, 2024. The winners will be selected and announced in June 2024. Register by division here.

Where: The competition will be hosted at Somerset Berkley Regional High School in Somerset, MA.

Prize: Recognition is reserved for several prize-winners, along with prizes for the top winner in each of the 14 Divisions: aerospace, impossible, 3D printing, transportation, automotive, biomimicry, mechanical, architecture, graphics, music, sports, structural, clean energy, and agriculture. The Susan Sanford Memorial STEM Scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to a female student enrolled at a US college/university.

Get involved: Visit https://www.unitedstatessuperstemcompetition.org/  

First Tech CENTERSTAGE℠ presented by RTX Challenge

What: FIRST Tech Challenge goes beyond robotics, challenging teams of 7th to 12th graders to design, build, program, and operate robots in head-to-head competitions. With guidance from coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills, learn engineering principles, and foster teamwork and innovation. The reusable robot kit can be coded in Java, and teams engage in fundraising, branding, and community outreach for awards.

Who: Students ages 12-18 compete in teams guided by adult mentors and coaches. These students are highly encouraged to form strong team rapport and serve as community ambassadors for FIRST and STEM, in general.

When: The CENTERSTAGE℠ presented by RTX challenge debuted September 9, 2023. “Build and Practice Season” runs from September to January with some Qualifying Season overlap from October to March. Depending on the location, state/regional championships occur from December to March, with the World Championship taking place April 15-20, 2024.

Where: The FIRST Championship will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX.

Prize: Participants can apply for over $80M in college scholarships, culminating in regional championships and the FIRST Championship.

Get involved: https://info.firstinspires.org/first-in-show#actions and https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/game-and-season  

Mission 2024: Eclipse (Aerial Drone Competition)

What: In dynamic teams of 3-5, complete four challenging missions focused on drone programming, flight, and related skills: (1) Teamwork Mission, (2) Autonomous Flight Mission, (3) Piloting Skills Mission, and (4) Communications Mission. In the Piloting Skills Challenge, for example, teams steer a drone through an obstacle course.

Who: Students in grades 5-12 compete in teams at the local and national levels.

When: April marks the season opener for team registration, and the game is revealed in September of that year. Local qualifying events take place from October 2023 to March 2024, with district championships held in March and April. Regional championships span two days:

• Northeast, North Central regions: May 17-18, 2024
• Southeast region: April 12-13, 2024
• South Central region: April 19-20, 2024
• West region: May 31 to June 1, 2024
• JROTC National Championship: April 4-6, 2024
• Middle School Only Championship: May 16-17, 2024

Where: Aerial Drone Competition Regional Championships are held at various college campuses throughout the U.S., including Fairmont, WV (Northeast), Jackson, MS (Southeast), Flint, MI (North Central), Tulsa, OK (South Central), Salt Lake City, UT (West), Batesville, MS (JROTC), and Chattanooga, TN (middle school-only).

Prize: Competitors can earn two types of awards: performance-based and judged. Performance awards are determined by performance in the Teamwork Mission, Piloting Mission, and Autonomous Flight Missions. Judged awards use specific criteria to identify one team from each grade level. Sometimes, individual recognition is awarded to those who stand out as helpful mentors or sponsors. 

Get involved: https://recf.org/aerial-drone-competition/  

Solar Car Challenge

What: The Solar Car Challenge drives STEM engagement by inspiring students in Science, Engineering, and Alternative Energy. Since 1989, its education program has taught high schoolers to build and race solar cars safely. Through hands-on workshops, virtual learning, and curriculum materials, the program supports schools nationwide.  Who: Teams (including drivers) can be made up of high school students enrolled in grades 9-12 from the same school district.

When: Intent to Race filing began September 1, 2023, with a deadline of January 31, 2024. Workshops are generally held during this time on topics like welding, building solar cars, soldering, and building as a team. March 1 was the deadline for Official Registration. The 2024 Solar Car Challenge main event takes place July 8-17, with race days on July 14-17 and an awards banquet to follow.

Where: Culminating in a closed-track event at Texas Motor Speedway or a cross-country race, students showcase their solar cars, concluding each two-year education cycle.

Prize: Prizes are awarded based on judging within different divisions.

Get involved: https://www.solarcarchallenge.org/challenge/

British International Education Association (BIEA) 2024 International STEM Competition

What: The 2024 theme of the BIEA International Stem Competition challenges participants to confront fashion waste. Our planet, supporting life for millennia, faces destabilization due to rapid population growth. The United Nations SDGs aim to safeguard humanity and the Earth. The 2024 BIEA STEM Youth Competition centers on the 12th SDG, Responsible Consumption and Production. It urges tomorrow's leaders to envision sustainable futures, fostering creative solutions for harmonious coexistence between humans and the planet.

Who: Only candidates from certain countries are eligible to apply (see list). Students from age 6 to 17/18 are welcome to compete.

When: December 20, 2023 marked the start date for registering to receive the Report Stage Guideline Publication download link. A Sustainable Fashion STEM Forum was held in Westminster on February 1, 2024, and all project submissions are due March 31, 2024. The International Round is online and will take place in May/June of 2024, with the final showcase set for July 9.

Where: Online/worldwide. The 2024 final and showcase are in London, England.

Prize: Multiple prizes are awarded for the Grand Prize, Champion, 1st-3rd Prize, and other recognitions.

Get involved: https://www.heysuccess.com/opportunity/BIEA-International-STEM-Competition-2024-36224  

Space Settlement Design Competitions

What: Experience the real-life processes of working as a vital member of the aerospace industry proposal team. Mentors serve as “Company CEOs” and participants receive invaluable guidance from industry leaders as they create a design for an “existing” space infrastructure.

Who: Students (ages 15 and up) from any high school in the U.S. or Canada – in “companies” as large as 60 – can compete in this event.

When: The Competition culminates with “company” presentations of their design briefings to a panel of judges. The high school competition runs June 21-23, 2024 and the college competition takes place June 18-20, 2024.

Where: Finals occur at the NASA Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, FL.

Prize: Visit the website for information on prizes.

Get involved: https://spaceset.org/

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

What: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow encourages students in grades 6–12 to utilize STEM to tackle local community issues. By applying Problem-based Learning (PBL), environmental stewardship, and entrepreneurship, U.S. Gen Z students drive change and address societal challenges. The competition fosters hands-on learning, rendering STEM tangible and demonstrating its practical significance in real-world contexts.

Who: Public/charter school educators teaching students in grades 6-12 may register their teams. Only schools that are at least 50% publicly funded may compete.

When: Teachers have from August 29 to November 14, 2023 to register their student team. State Finalists are announced from December 5 to January 11, 2024. State Winners are named from January 30 to March 7. National Finalists are recognized on March 26. The public votes for their favorite of the top ten National Finalists on social media platforms from March 5 to April 2, 2024. The final judging event takes place on April 29, 2024.

Where: Check the website—this location will be announced soon!

Prize: 10 National Finalist schools receive a $50,000 prize package with similar products/resources and a trip to a special location (TBA) to pitch their solution for a chance to become a National Winner. Three National Winner schools receive a $100,000 prize package, inclusive of Samsung products and classroom instructional resources. Other awards include:

• $50,000 Sustainability Innovation Award (chosen from among 50 State Winners)
• $25,000 Rising Entrepreneurship Award (chosen from among 50 State Winners)
• $12,000 each to 50 State Winners
• $2,500 each to 300 schools named as State Finalists

Get involved: https://www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/about/

Rocket City Math League

What: A FREE international math competition divided into four tests (Intertest, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3) and various levels:

• Explorer Level: Pre-algebra
• Mercury Level: Algebra
• Gemini Level: Geometry
• Apollo Level: Algebra II
• Discovery Level: Pre-calculus and calculus

Who: Eligible participants include middle school, high school, and two-year college students enrolled in pre-algebra through pre-calculus courses (or those that are progressively more difficult).

When: The Interschool Test was administered November 1-15, 2023, with results due November 17. Round 1 took place from January 9-18, 2024 and Round 2 took place from February 6-15. Round 3 – the final round – will take place March 6-22, 2024.

Where: Online

Prize: The top 20 individual winners in each of the five “levels” will receive individual awards; additionally, the top 10 teams in each level receive team awards.

Get involved: https://mualphatheta.org/rcml-contest  

STEM competitions for high school students

Congressional app challenge.

What: A public challenge where students must code and build an app of their choice. The apps are judged in district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress.

Who: High school students.

When: Pre-registration for 2024 is now open ! Eligible pre-registered students can start coding for the 2024 competition, which runs from May 1 to October 24, 2024.

Where: Online.

Prize: Winners receive recognition by their Member of Congress and have their work put on display in the Capitol Building.

Get involved: http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/

Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

What: The nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition. Entrants to this competition must conduct an original independent research project and supplement their applications with recommendation letters and transcripts.

What else: 13 alumni have won the Nobel Prize (wow!).

Who: Any student who is enrolled in or attending their senior year of high school.

When: The application period for the 2024 competition is open from June 1 to November 7, 2024 ! The Top 40 finalists will be announced in January 2025, and Regeneron STS Finals Week is mid-March 2025. 

Where: 40 finalists are selected and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for in-depth judging.

Prize: Over $2 million in awards are given; first-place prize is $250,000.

Get involved: https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts

THINK Challenges

2023 Note: 2023 Registration is closed.

What: Organized by a group of undergraduates from MIT, this competition is for high school students who are in the early stages of an original research project, rather than being fully completed.

When: The 2023-2024 application window is now closed. It typically runs November 1 to January 1. Finalists are announced in February and complete their projects by the end of June.

Where: Application is online

Prize: Normally, selected finalists are invited to a 4-day all-expenses-paid trip to MIT’s campus to meet professors in their field of research, tour labs, and network with members of the THINK team! Finalists also have weekly mentorship meetings and are given $1000 to fund their research project.

Get involved: https://think.mit.edu/

M3 Challenge

2024 Note: The 2024 M3 Challenge registration is closed as of February 23, 2024. 

What: The Mathworks Math Modeling (M3) Competition is one of the only mathematics competition of its kind. Students have 14 hours to solve an open-ended applied math-modeling problem focused on a real-world issue.

Who: Eleventh and twelfth graders in the United States and sixth-form students in England and Wales. Teams are comprised of 3–5 students and one teacher-coach

When: 2025 info is TBD, and “Challenge Weekend” will likely occur in March 2025.

Prize: Over $100,000 total in Scholarship Prizes!

Get involved: https://m3challenge.siam.org/

Microsoft Imagine Cup

What: A global software and game design competition hosted by Microsoft, where teams create and build technology to solve the world’s problems.

What else: Tens of thousands of participants compete every year!

Who: The “next generation of computer science students” who are at least 16 years of age, and currently enrolled at an accredited high school or college.

When: The 2024 World Championship takes place May 4, 2024; expect 2025 registration to go live in October 2024.

Where: Online 

Prize: Grand prize is $100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella.

Get involved: https://imaginecup.microsoft.com/en-us  

You might also like: Minecraft competitions for kids & teens

FIRST Robotics Competition

What: An intense robotics competition typically described by students as “the hardest fun you will ever have." With limited resources and only six weeks, students are challenged to raise funds, design, build, and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against other teams.

Who: Teams of 10 or more high school students (grades 9–12).

When: Registration typically occurs in the Fall with the competition season beginning in January, culminating in the FIRST Championship in April. Check the website for more specific regional information. 

Where: There are regional/state tournaments all over the US and the world! Check here for a full listing.

Prize: Access to apply to over $50 million in available scholarships.

Get involved: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc

What: The world’s largest international pre-college science competition (basically, it’s the Superbowl of science fairs).

What else: The first step is to get involved in a regional affiliated Intel ISEF Science fair. These fairs exist in nearly every state in the United States as well as over 70 other countries, regions, and territories. Winners of regional, state, and national finals advance to the international finals.

Who: Students in grades 9-12.

When: ISEF 2024 takes place May 11-17. Competing for the 2024-2025 cycle starts at a Society-affiliated fair, which you can locate here.

Where: ISEF 2024 will be a fully in-person event in Los Angeles, CA, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, complemented by a virtual site where finalists can share their projects online.

Prize: Competitors receive more than 600 individual and team prizes, with first through fourth place awards totaling $3,000, $1,500, $1,000, and $500 in 21 categories. The top winner receives $75,000, while the second and third-place winners receive $50,000 each.

Get involved: https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef Also in the area: STEM camps held at UT Dallas

U Stockholm Junior Water Prize

What: A prestigious youth award for a water-related research project that seeks to address current and future water challenges.

What else: The competition consists of four levels: regional, state, national, and international. Awards are given at each level to recognize achievement in water-related research.

Who: Open to all high school students in grades 9–12 who have reached the age of 15 by August 1st of the competition year.

When: 2024 registration closed in April

Where: State entry is online. International SJWP Competition has previously taken place in Stockholm, Sweden.

Prize: Student will receive $15,000 and the student’s school will receive $5,000.

Get involved: https://www.wef.org/membership--community/students--young-professionals/sjwp/   

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

What: A STEM competition where students are asked to present findings of their original research effort to a panel of judges and an audience of their peers.

What else: The National Symposium is much more than a competition. It includes planned opportunities for hands-on workshops, panel discussions, career exploration, research lab visits, and networking.

Who: Students in grades 9–12.

When: Deadlines vary by region.

Where: Regional competitions occur across all 50 states. Click here to find your closest location!

Prize: The first-place regional prize is $2,000 in scholarships and the National grand prize is $12,000 in scholarships.

Get involved: https://www.jshs.org/

American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) Contest

What: A mathematics contest for high school students that consists of several events, including a team round, a power question round, an individual round, two relay rounds, and a super relay round. Teams generally consist of 15 students.

Who: Generally high school students, although some exceptional junior high students attend each year.

When: The 2023-2024 ARML Power Contest Windows are October 28 through November 12 and February 17 through March 3. Coaches can download competition materials the week before and schedule their contests anytime during the given timeframe. Once completed, students mail their solutions to the competition coordinator. Check the website for information on 2024-2025 competition announcements. Where: In 2023, the event was held at four universities across the United States: Penn State University, The University of Iowa, The University of Alabama at Huntsville, and The University of Nevada, Reno. Check the website for the 2024 locations.

Prize: Various prizes are awarded to the top teams.

Get involved:  http://www.arml2.com/arml_2018/page/index.php?page_type=public&page=home

World Robot Olympiad

What: Four categories of robotics competitions challenging students to sharpen their problem-solving skills and expand their creative skill sets.

What else: The WRO® theme for 2024 is Earth Allies. In 2024, teams will learn more about how human activity impacts nature and how nature/natural phenomena impact us in return. They will examine how robots can help us co-exist symbiotically with nature.

Who: Youth ages 8-19

When: Registration for the 2024 cycle begins January 15

Where: In 2024, over 20,000 teams from 90 countries will compete for spots on the National Team.

Prize: Prizes exist for the winners in each category/age group combination : Robo Mission, Robo Sports, Future Innovators, Future Engineers. 

Get involved: https://www.uselyouthrobotics.com/sales-page

STEM competitions for middle school students

Perennial math tournaments.

What: A online, virtual, or in-person math tournament—you choose! Rules vary by each tournament, so check out their info pages below to learn more.

Who: Teams or individuals in grades 3–12.

When: Registration is open now! There are two seasons for the online tournaments (Nov–Feb, Jan–Apr). The in-person tournaments take place throughout the year. All winners of on-site tournaments will be invited to the National Championship, which is typically held in May.

Where: Online or at on-site locations

Prize: Your own championship trophy!

Get involved: https://perennialmath.com/tournaments

National Science Bee

What: The National Quiz Bowl, buzzer system and all.

What else: This is a great competition to get your feet wet in a big way! Whereas attendance at most national competitions requires success at a pre-qualifying regional event, anyone can register and participate in the National Science Bee!

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, 3rd grade and younger (there is no younger age limit). 

When: For elementary/middle school competitors – the free Online Regional Qualifying Exam (ORQE) will become available in fall 2024. Approximately 60% of students who take the exam will move on to the Regional Finals, held online and in-person from October 2024 to May 2025. The top 50% of competitors in each age group at Regions will qualify for the National Science Bee Championships.

Where:  For the 2023-2024 cycle, the National Championships for Elementary/Middle School groups will be held in Orlando, FL, over Memorial Day Weekend. National championships for the Varsity/JV divisions are held April 27-28, 2024, in Arlington, VA

Prize: Past awards have included $1,500 worth of total prizes.

Get involved: http://www.usacademicbowl.com/national-science-bee/

What: A National mathematics competition where students face off in live, in-person contests against their peers.

What else: The competition takes place at three levels—regional, 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 with their school by a coach representative (usually a teacher). Check with your local school to find out more!

When: Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open in August and close in early January. Chapter competitions are hosted from February 1-29, 2024. State competitions take place March 1-31, 2024. The 2024 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition goes down May 12-13, 2024, in Washington, D.C.!

Where: There are over 500 regional competitions all over the country!

Prize: Vary each year—check the website for more details!

Get involved: https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series

eCyberMission

What: STEM Competition for teams proposing solutions to real community issues with their projects.

What else: Put on by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP).

Who: Students in grades 6–9. Each team will consist of two to four students and an adult team advisor.

When: The 2023-2024 winners will be announced in late June 2024. The 2024-2025 student and team advisor registration window will likely run from mid-August 2025 to late February 2025.

Prize: 1st place winners at the state level receive $500 US Series EE Savings Bonds per student. 1st place regional winners receive an additional $500 in Bonds and a paid trip to the finals. 1st place national winners receive an additional $3,000 in Bonds.

Get involved: https://www.ecybermission.com

You Be the Chemist

What: A chemistry competition held by the Chemical Educational Foundation where individuals compete in a quiz bowl format at the local, state, and national levels. View the intro video here .

What else: National Championships take place in Washington D.C.

Who: Students in grades 5–8.

When: The 2023-2024 National Challenge will take place on June 10-11, 2024. 2025 details will likely be released in October 2024, when the challenge registration window typically opens. Expect registration to close by the end of December 2024.

Where: Over 40 states participate, and there will be in-person and virtual events this year. Click the link below to find the location closest to you. The 2023-2024 National Challenge will be held at the Westin Houston Memorial City in Houston, TX.

Prize: Check the website for more details.

Get involved: https://www.chemed.org/programs/challenge/ Get started: Houston robotics camps

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge

What: A video competition in which students are asked to create a 1–2 minute video describing a unique solution to an everyday problem.

What else: Finalists are chosen to compete in the National Finals.

Who: Students in grades 5–8 in the United States.

When: Registration for the 2024 challenge opens on January 4, 2024, and closes on May 2, 2024. Finalists and state merit winners are announced in June, with the final event occurring in October 2024. Winners are announced shortly thereafter.

Where: Registration is available online, and the National Finals location will be published later in 2024.

Prize: The Grand Prize Winner will receive $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” Top 10 Finalists will receive $1,000 each and a unique summer mentorship with a 3M scientist. Up to 51 competitors will receive State Merit Winner recognition alongside 3M Young Scientist Challenge Prize Packs and Certificates. Additional recognition exists for honorable mention winners and the school with the most entries.

Get involved: https://youngscientistlab.com/annual-challenge/about-the-challenge  

Future City

What: “If you can dream it, you can build it.” The Future City is a team challenge where students research, design, and build cities that showcase a solution to a citywide sustainability issue. The topic changes each year and can include storm water management, public spaces, green energy, age-related issues and more.

What else: The challenge is made of five parts: a virtual city design (using SimCity), an essay, a scale model, a project plan, and a presentation to the judges.

Who: Teams of students in grades 6-8. All teams must have an educator or mentor as a coach.

When: Registration for 2023-2024 is now open! For the 2024-2025 cycle, registration opens May 2024 and Future City Teams may begin their projects in September. Regional competitions take place in January while the National Competition is hosted in February.

Where: The 2023-2024 finals will be held in Washington, D.C. 

Prize: Grand prize is a trip to space camp and $7,500 cash award.

Get involved: https://futurecity.org/about

Junior Solar Sprint

What: An engineering competition in which teams of students design, build, and race solar-powered cars. Students that are successful in local and regional competitions are invited to the national competition each June.

When: Registration for the 2024 JSS program is open from September 2023 to April 2024. State conference dates vary by region, with the National TSA Conference occurring June 26-30, 2024.

Where: The 2023-2024 National TSA Conference will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL.

Get involved: http://www.usaeop.com/programs/competitions/jss/

STEM competitions for various ages

Some events’ details are still in the works due to COVID-19. Please check each organization’s website for the most up to date information.

NASA Student Launch Challenge

What: Work in teams to design, build, and launch a high-powered rocket!

Who: Middle/high school and college/university students are eligible to participate. NASA has already announced the 70 teams representing 24 states and Puerto Rico for the 2024 Student Launch Challenge.

When: This nine-month challenge begins with on-site events from April 10-14, 2024, with final launches occurring on April 13.

Where: The final launch takes place in Huntsville, AL.

Prize: Varies by contest —see p.48 for college/university awards and p. 94 for middle/high school awards.

Get involved: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-student-launch/  

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)

What: A series of mathematics tournaments and competitions for middle and high school students that’s over 60 years old! There are three levels of competition: the AMC-8 (middle school students), AMC-10 (grades 9 and 10), AMC-12 (grades 11 and 12).

What else: The AMC is one of the first steps for determining the United States team for the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Who: Students in grades 8–12.

When: The AMC 10/12 competitions were held in November 2024, while the AMC 8 competition was held in January 2024; 2025 details are TBD, with registration likely opening in August 2024.

Where: Competitions take place all over the country and virtually. See the full list here .

Get involved: https://www.maa.org/math-competitions

Math League

What: A series of competitions designed for teams of elementary, middle, and high school students that all culminate in National Championships in spring.

What else: The details of the competition change based on the age of the students. Click the link below to read more about the details for your child!

Who: Elementary (grade 3) through high school students (grade 12).

When: Most regional- and state-level contests are held throughout the fall and winter; registration held on a rolling basis.

Where: Various locations throughout the entire United States.

Prize: Prizes vary based on location and competition levels.

Get involved: http://mathleague.org/

Purple Comet Math Meet

What: An online, international mathematics competition designed for middle and high school students.

What else: There is a ten-day window during which teams may compete choosing a start time that's most convenient. Problems range in difficulty.

Who: Teams of middle and high school students with an adult supervisor.

When: The 2024 contest takes place April 2-11, 2024. 2025 dates are TBD.

Get involved: https://purplecomet.org/

The Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl

What: One of the nation’s largest academic competitions that tests students’ knowledge on a range of science and math disciplines. Teams face off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format.

What else: Teams must qualify at the regional level to participate in the National Science Bowl. Click here to find your closest regional competition.

Who: Middle and high school teams formed of 4 students, 1 alternative student, and 1 coach.

When: The 2024 National Finals take place April 25-29, 2024. 2024 2025 registration is TBD, though competition typically begins in January of each year. The 2025 National Finals run from April 24-28, 2025, and the 2026 National Finals run from April 30 to May 4, 2026.

Where: All 50 states participate!

Prize: Regional prizes vary. Top teams can win a variety of awards including monetary awards for their schools, a (massive!) trophy, an all-expenses-paid trip, and bragging rights. Check the website for more details!

Get involved:  https://science.energy.gov/wdts/nsb/

National STEM League

What: A team-oriented STEM competition. Students can participate in the online competition or one of the three face-to-face competitions, depending on their interests.

Who: Middle to high school students.

When: Varies by event; the 2024 Ten80-NSBE Nationals will take place March 21-22, 2024, and the 2024 Ten80 STEM Challenge Nationals go down April 26-27, 2024.

Where: Regional competitions occur throughout the United States; Ten80 teams can compete in the Online Points Race (without leaving school), Ten80 Face-to-Face Competitions, and Micro and 1-Day Challenges. The 2024 Ten80-NSBE Nationals are held in Atlanta, GA, and the 2024 Ten80 STEM Challenge Nationals take place in Concord, NC – hosted by the Charlotte Motor Speedway! Prize: Check the website for more details.

Get involved: https://www.ten80education.com/the-league/

U.S.A Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)

What: A monthly online mathematics competition where students are given one math problem to solve. Because of the level of difficulty, students have the remainder of the month to work out solutions.

What else: Students' solutions are graded by mathematicians, and comments are returned to the students to develop their problem-solving skills and writing abilities.

Who: Middle and high school students in the United States.

When: Ongoing! As soon as you register , you're able to download the month’s problem.

Prize: Participants are eligible for various prizes, such as books and software throughout the year. Additionally, the top scorers are invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), a process necessary for applying to the USA Mathematical Olympiad Team.

Get involved: http://www.usamts.org/

F1 In Schools

What: A competition that challenges teams of students to design, manufacture, and race the Formula 1 “car of the future."

What else: Competition takes place at regional, state, national, and world levels. Over 40 countries participate in the World Finals and the competition runs alongside the International F1 Grand Prix (cool!).

Who: Nine- to nineteen-year-old students in teams of 3–6.

When: Registration is live! Hopeful participants must obtain an enrollment code from F1 in Schools Ltd. before registering for a regional final in their country. In 2023, the World Finals took place from September 10-12–check the website for upcoming 2024 dates.

Where: All over the country! Click the link below to find a location closest to you. The 2023 World Finals were held in Singapore!

Prize: Access to recruiters from prestigious universities. Other prizes may vary; check the website for more details.

Get involved: http://www.f1inschools.com/

Exploravision

What: “More than just a student science competition” where participants engage in real-world problem solving, rooted in STEM.

What else: The challenge is to look 20 years into the future and communicate a new future technology. Cool!

Who: Teams of 2–4 students in grades K–12; the competition is open to students enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian public, private, or home school.

When: The 2023-2024 deadline for submissions was January 31, 2024. Regional winners will be announced April 1, with national winners announced May 6. Awards Weekend takes place June 14-15, 2024. Check the website for 2024-2025 dates.

Prize: 4 winning teams are awarded US EE Savings Bond worth $10,000 at maturity. Other prizes also offered for second place, finalists, and honorable mentions.

Get involved: https://www.exploravision.org/what-exploravision

Fluor Challenge

What: A hands-on engineering contest that challenges students to complete a fun task (such as launch an aluminum foil ball as far as possible) using limited resources (such as pencils, paper, paper clips, plastic cups and rubber bands).

Who: K–12 students; individuals or teams up to 4 students.

When: Complete the online entry form from February 18 to March 18, 2024.

Prize: Ten teams are drawn at random for $1,000 prizes for their schools!

Get involved: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/fluor-challenge?

The VEX Robotics Competitions

What: A collection of various robotics competitions held by The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. Each team of students is tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams head-to-head in a game-based engineering challenge.

What else: The world championship is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s largest robotics competition (awesome!).

Who: The Vex Robotics Competition: Full Volume is open to participants in grades 4-8; the Vex Robotics Competition: Over Under is open to those in grades 6-12.

When: Tournaments are held year-round at the regional, state, and national levels. Winners are invited to the VEX Robotics World Championship each April/May.

Where: All across the globe! Check your local listings for locations/dates here .

Get involved: https://www.vexrobotics.com/competition

BEST Robotics Competition

What: A robotics competition where teams compete head-to-head. Each year a new challenge is chosen based on real-world issues.

What else: “BEST” stands for “Boosting Engineering, Science & Technology.”

Who: Middle and high school students.

When: March 3 to April 14, 2024 

Where: Currently, 19 states participate. Locations vary—click here to see the upcoming list of events.

Prize: BEST distributes many awards for each competition, ranging from the coveted BEST award, creativity awards, and software design. Prizes vary based on regional, state, or national level. Check the website for more details!

Get involved: http://www.bestinc.org/

Wonder League Robotics

What: A robotics/programming challenge where teams participate in three competition rounds over a period of five months under the guidance of a coach.

What else: Teams that are successful in the preliminary competition rounds are invited to the open invitational to compete face-to-face with other teams.

Who: Kids ages 6-8 can participate in the Innovator Cup, while youth ages 9-12 can compete in the Pioneer Cup. Teams must also include at least one supervising adult coach and can consist of up to five student participants.

When: A year-round competition. Registration for 2023-2024 opened in October 2023, with competitions taking place from November to March; the 2023-2024 winner will be announced on May 9, 2024.

Where: Registration is online and preliminary competition rounds take place remotely, which means children with all types of schedules can participate!

Prize: Grand Prize has been $5,000 STEM grant, national recognition, and each team member receives their own Dash Robot.

Get involved: https://www.makewonder.com/en/robotics-competition/  

FIRST Tech Challenge

What: A robotics competition where teams of students are responsible for designing, building, and programming robots in a 10-week period, and competing in a head-to-head alliance format against other teams. Winners of the regional/state tournaments are invited to take part in the FIRST National Championship!

Who: Students in grades 7–12.

When: Each season is year-round. Registration for 2023-2024 is open; the competition season begins in September, regional/state tournaments from October–April, and the FIRST Championship in April.

Where: Regional and state competitions occur all over the US!

Prize: Access to apply to over $80 million in available scholarships.

Get involved: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc

Team America Rocketry Challenge

What: The world’s largest student rocket contest. The contest challenges students to design, build, and fly a rocket carrying a raw egg to a specific altitude and back. The top 100 teams are invited to Washington, D.C. for the National Finals.

What else: Approximately 5,000 students from across the nation compete each year. The contest rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the students.

Who: Teams of 3–10 students in grades 6–12.

When: 2024 American Rocketry Challenge registration generally closes once the first 1,000 teams submit their applications with payment, between June 1 to December 1. Teams must fly their rocket in front of an observer from the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) anytime by April 8, 2024. Those scoring from the 100 best submissions are invited to compete for the national fly-off on May 18, 2024.

Where: The 2023-2024 national fly-off takes place at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, D.C.

Prize: Winning teams split over $100,000 in cash and scholarships. 1st place winners earn $20,000 for their team and $1,000 for their school.

Get involved: http://rocketcontest.org/ Also in the area: STEM camps held at Marymount University

Future Engineers Challenges

What: A collection of innovation challenges for K–12 students. Previous challenges have included designing a 3D-printed tool for astronauts to use in space and a high-altitude balloon and rocket-powered lander! What else: Held in conjunction with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Foundation and NASA.

Who: Students in Grades K–12.

When: Varies by challenge – the Future Engineers website shows current challenges, challenges where judging is in progress, and winner announcements for completed challenges.

Where: OnlinePrize: Varies by challenge. In the “Power to Explore” challenge – where students are tasked with plotting a radioisotope power systems (RPS) space mission – 

prizes in the form of virtual sessions with NASA RPS experts are awarded to 45 semifinalists (15 in each grade category of K-4, 5-8 and 9-12). Nine national finalists (three in each grade category) win a trip for two to visit NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH.

Get involved: https://www.futureengineers.org/

Science Olympiad

What: One of the nation’s premier science competitions.

What else: Founded in 1984, to increase K12 and teacher participation in STEM.

Who: Differs by state; go here to get started.

When: Same as above; check your local state’s website for event info! The 40th Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament will take place in May 2024.

Where: The 2024 Science Olympiad National Tournament is held at Michigan State University.

Prize: Awards, trophies, cash scholarships, tuition awards, and prizes are offered by the host Universities and sponsors. Check the website for more details.

Get involved: https://www.soinc.org/

Destination Imagination STEM Team Challenges

What: A set of seven challenges, each focusing on one specific area of STEM (i.e., Scientific Challenge, Technical Challenge, etc.) and including a project that teams work on for 2–4 months.

What else: Teams of 2-7 members select only one challenge to participate in and showcase their projects at local tournaments. When a team qualifies at the state level, they are invited to compete at the Global Finals.

Who: Anybody in Kindergarten through University can participate! Students are grouped and compete according to their grade level.

When: Varies by region. Typically, teams form and start collaborating between August and January of a challenge cycle. This time is spent creating their challenge solutions and practicing for local tournaments, which take place between February and April. Teams that qualify for Global Finals can compete from May 22-25 at the end of the cycle.

Where: Located in 45 states and 30 countries! The 2024 Global Finals will be held in Kansas City, MO.

Get involved: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/

Solar Decathlon

What: An international collegiate competition made up of 10 contests that challenge student teams to design, build, and operate full-size, solar-powered houses. Simply put, there is nothing else like it. Teams spend up to two years planning and designing their houses with the final competition taking place over a few days.

What else: The competition has expanded internationally with contests taking place in Europe (2019), China (2018), Latin America (2019), Africa (2019), and the Middle East (2020).

Who: Collegiate teams.

When: As of late February 2024, 40 collegiate teams have advanced to the Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge. Finalist teams were chosen at the virtual semifinals event from February 23-24. These teams will compete at the hybrid Solar Decathlon finals from April 19-21, 2024.

Where: Some portions of the competition are completely virtual, while others are hybrid or in-person. The final competition is a hybrid event taking place at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO.

Prize: 2017 was the first year of cash prizes. All participants received at least $100,000 for successfully completing the competition. Each team received additional cash awards based on their finished rankings, with the top team receiving $300,000 total.

Get involved: https://www.solardecathlon.gov/

Collegiate Wind Competition

What: A competition that challenges collegiate teams to use their skills and knowledge to finish a complex wind energy project over the course of a school year. The challenge includes three elements that provide each student with real-world experience.

Who: Interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students.

When: Registration is currently closed for 2024. In the beginning of each year, competition organizers use a performance-based assessment to identify 12 finalist teams, who are invited to move forward in the CWC from January to May 2024. The Final Event occurs May 6-9, 2024. Competition selection for the next cycle will take place from June to December of 2024. 

Where: The 2024 Final Event will be held in Minneapolis, MN at the Minnesota Convention Center.

Prize: Cash prizes are eligible for those teams that advance to each of the three competition phases. The winning teams of the Grand Prize Awards will earn a portion of or up to $30,000 from the cash prize pool.

Get involved:  https://energy.gov/eere/collegiatewindcompetition/collegiate-wind-competition Also in the area: STEM camps held at University of Denver

FIRST LEGO League

What: Introduce STEM to kids through compelling, stimulating, hands-on experiences. 

What else: Participants will be tasked with designing original ways to communicate and design art worldwide.

Who: Children ages 4-16 (three age divisions available for ages 4-6, 6-10, and 9-16)

When: The MASTERPIECE challenge debuted August 1, 2023.

Where: Online—nearly 680,000 participants from 110 countries have participated in this online challenge!

Prize: Check the website for information.

Get involved: https://info.firstinspires.org/first-in-show 

2024 International SeaPerch Challenge

What: If “aquatic robots” pique your interest, continue reading! SeaPerch is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a competition. Students are tasked with constructing an underwater robot! For 2024, the theme is “deep-sea exploration.”

What else: SeaPerch will introduce students to basic engineering, design, and science skills. Required and optional elements include a technical design report, pool courses, real-world innovation poster, and community outreach.

Who: The program is a good fit for students in grades 5-12 (ages 10-18); students can start programs at their school with the help of a sponsor/teacher.

When: Challenge season kicks off in September, with regional competition applications due in October. Invitations and wild card applications are issued in November, with all teams registering by April of the following year. Tune in to the Finals from May 31 to June 1, 2024.

Where: The 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge Finals take place at the University of Maryland campus in College Park, MD.

Prize: Check the website for information on prizes.

Get involved: https://seaperch.org/competition/  Also in the area: STEM camps held at University of Maryland

Odyssey of the Mind

What: Teams of classmates compete under pressure to devise a solution to various problems, which require 8-minute performances.

What else: If writing scripts, acting, building, and designing all appeal to you, read more about this exciting opportunity!

Who: Become a member by purchasing your school or community group membership. You will receive a membership number and access to each year’s full problem details and program materials. Teams consist of up to seven students and one adult coach.

When: The 2024 World Finals will be held May 21-24, 2024.

Where: Ames, IA will host the 2024 World Finals at Iowa State University.

Prize: Awards are granted through trophies, plaques, ribbons, medals, and special certificates to teams who earn first, second, and third place at World Finals.

Get involved: https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/ Also in the area: STEM camps held at University of Michigan

NCF Envirothon

What: Students compete to show off their knowledge in natural resource management after engaging in hands-on outdoor field experiences throughout the year.

What else: Over 25,000 students across the U.S., Canada, and China spend months preparing for this global challenge.

Who: The annual competition is open to high school students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-19). Each team will have five students from the same school or organization; one adult team advisor is required.

When: The finals for 2024 run from July 28 to August 3, 2024.

Where: Each year, a new city hosts the Envirothon; in 2024, NCF Envirothon will be held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.

Prize: Check the website for details.

Get involved: https://envirothon.org/the-competition/current-competition/ 

ArcGIS Online Competition for US High School & Middle School Students

What: Design and carry out a research project pertaining to something in your home state, then create an ArcGIS StoryMap about your project and submit it to the competiton.

What else: Teachers choose the school’s five best submissions and submit them to entry for state. States pick their best five submissions and select one from middle school and high school to attend the national competition.

Who: The competition is open to high school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 4-8) students in the United States who are able to collect, create, examine, interpret, and showcase data using an ArcGIS StoryMap.

When: The 2024 competition began in Fall 2023, where state team leaders apply to include the state as one that is participating. Teacher and student teams plan until December 1, the last day to apply to participate. May 13, 2024, is the deadline for states to submit their entries to Esri, and results are announced on May 28. The Competition Results Webinar will be held on June 20, 2024.

Prize: Participating states can award $1000 prizes to up to five high school and five middle school projects. National prizes are announced yearly.

Get involved: https://agoschoolcomp-education.hub.arcgis.com/

Genes in Space

What: You have one job—create a DNA experiment that responds to the challenges of space travel and deep space exploration. 

What else: Start by stating a hypothesis and choosing how to make use of the elements in the Genes in Space toolkit.

Who: U.S. enrolled in grades 7-12 can work independently or in teams of up to two students.

When: The 2024 contest opened January 10, 2024, with teams developing their ideas until a submission deadline of April 15, 2024.Awardees and semifinalists are announced May 1, with finalists chosen May 20, 2024. Mentoring takes place in June and July, and winners are announced immediately after finals, which are held from July 29 to August 1, 2024. Space Biology Camp takes place in fall of 2024 and the winner’s DNA experiment gets launched in space in 2025!

Where: The ISS Research & Development Conference in Boston, MA, will serve as the host of the 2024 Genes in Space finals.

Prize: Those who earn the designation of Finalist, Honorable Mention, Junior Scientist Awardee, or Constellation Awardee will receive a P51 Florenscence Biotechnology kit for their schools (a value of $800).

Get involved: https://www.genesinspace.org/  Also in the area: STEM camps held at UW Seattle

The Conrad Challenge

What: Here’s your chance to get together with peers and create an invention that solves a critical global problem!

What else: The competition takes place in four stages: Activation, Lean Canvas, Innovation, and Power Pitch. In Activation, students form a team of two to five students and one adult coach. Lean Canvas is devoted to brainstorming, while Innovation involves bringing ideas to life through recordings, websites, and written briefs. Finalists are invited to participate in the last round of the competition! 

Who: Students ages 13-18 are eligible to compete.

When: The 2024 Summit takes place from April 23-27, 2024.

Where: The finals take place at the Innovation Summit at Space Center Houston, TX.

Prize: The highest-scoring team in each category is named a Pete Conrad Scholar; prizes include scholarships, pro-bono legal and consulting services, and a Dell Chromebook!

Get involved: https://www.conradchallenge.org/  Also in the area: STEM camps held at Rice University

That's all... for now! Please let us know about any other STEM competitions you feel are worthy of inclusion!

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iD Tech Privacy Policy

Id tech privacy policy publish date: 10/26/2023.

internalDrive, Inc. (“iD Tech”) respects your privacy and recognizes the importance of your personal information. We are committed to protecting your information through our compliance with this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies to all individuals who visit and/or use iD Tech/internalDrive, Inc.'s websites, services, and products that collect data and/or display these terms ("iD Sites & Services"). This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we may collect when you visit an iD Tech website, open an account or receive iD Tech Services and our practices for using, maintaining, protecting and disclosing that information. 

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• the sole purpose of collecting the name or online contact information of a parent or child is to provide notice and obtain parental consent;
• the purpose of collecting a parent’s online contact information is to provide voluntary notice to, and subsequently update the parent about, the child’s participation in our iD Sites & Services that do not otherwise collect, use, or disclose childrens' personal information;
• the sole purpose of collecting online contact information from a child is to respond directly on a one-time basis to a specific request from the child, and where such information is not used to re-contact the child or for any other purpose, is not disclosed, and is deleted by us promptly after responding to the child’s request;
• the purpose of collecting a child’s and a parent’s online contact information is to respond directly more than once to the child’s specific request, and where such information is not used for any other purpose, disclosed, or combined with any other information collected from the child;
• the purpose of collecting a child’s and a parent’s name and online contact information, is to protect the safety of a child, and where such information is not used or disclosed for any purpose unrelated to the child’s safety;
• we collect a persistent identifier and no other personal information and such identifier is used for the sole purpose of providing support for the internal operations of iD Sites & Services; or
• otherwise permitted or required by law.

If we receive the verifiable consent of a child's parent or guardian to collect, use, and/or disclose the child's information, we will only collect, use, and disclose the information as described in this privacy statement. Some features of our iD Sites & Services permit a child user to enter comments, such as forums and chat rooms, through which the child could provide personal information that would be visible to other users. If you are the parent or guardian of a child user, please advise your child of the risks of posting personal information on this iD Sites & Services or any other site. VII.           Parental/Guardian Rights If you are a parent or guardian, you can review or have deleted your child's personal information, and refuse to permit further collection or use of your child's information. To exercise any of these rights, please email us at  [email protected] or send your request to:

iD Tech ∙ PO Box 111720 ∙ Campbell, CA 950011 Client Service Toll Free Number: 1-888-709-8324

VIII.         Restrictions On Child Users Children under 13 years of age are prevented from accessing areas of iD Sites & Services which include, but are not restricted to, client account information, unless approved by their parent or guardian and any course content defined as age inappropriate by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). IX.            Forums And Chats We may offer forums and chat rooms. Please be aware that anyone may read postings on a forum or in a chat room. Furthermore, any information which is posted to a forum or chat room could include personal information, which would be disclosed and available to all users of that forum or chat room, and is therefore no longer private. We cannot guarantee the security of information that any user discloses or communicates online in public areas such as forums and chat rooms. Those who do so, do so at their own risk. We reserve the right to monitor the content of the forums and chat rooms. If age-inappropriate content or potentially identifiable information is seen, it may be removed or edited by us for security, privacy, and/or legal reasons. We will not republish postings from forums or chat rooms anywhere on the Web. X.             Links And Third Parties

At our discretion, we may include or offer third-party websites, products, and services on iD Sites & Services. These third-party sites, products, and services have separate and independent privacy policies. You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third parties. We have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of linked sites, products, or services.

Our iD Sites & Services may contain links to other third-party websites, chat rooms, or other resources that we provide for your convenience. These sites are not under our control, and we are not responsible for the content available on other sites. Such links do not imply any endorsement of material on our part and we expressly disclaim all liability with regard to your access to such sites. Access to any other websites linked to from iD Sites & Services is at your own risk.  

XI.             Legal Basis for processing Personal Data and Your Data Protection Rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), iD Tech’s legal basis for collecting and using your personal information as described in this policy depends on the personal Data we collect and the context in which we collect it.  ID Tech may process your personal data:

• To provide the services which you requested or purchased;
• Because you have given us permission to do so;
• To provide you with better services, including conducting audits and data analysis;
• For payment processing;
• For marketing; and 
• To comply with the law

You have certain data protection rights. iD Tech aims to take reasonable steps to allow you to correct, amend, delete or limit the use of your Personal Data.

If you wish to be informed about what Personal Data we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us at  [email protected] .

In certain circumstances, you have the following data protection rights:

• The right to access, update, or delete the information we have on you. Whenever made possible, you can access, update, or request deletion of your Personal Data directly within your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please contact us to assist you.
• The right to have your information corrected if that information is inaccurate or incomplete.
• The right to object. You have the right to object to our processing of your Personal Data.
• The right of restriction. You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information.
• The right to data portability. You have the right to be provided with a copy of the information we have on you in a structured, machine-readable, and commonly used format.
• The right to withdraw consent. You also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time where iD Tech relied on your consent to process your personal information.

Please note that we may ask you to verify your identity before responding to such requests.

You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about our collection and use of your Personal Data. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority in the European Economic Area (EEA). XII.           International Visitors  (non GDPR Locations) Our iD Sites & Services are operated and managed on servers located in the United States. If you choose to use our iD Sites & Services from the European Union or other regions of the world with laws governing data collection and uses that differ from the United States, then you recognize and agree that you are transferring your personal information outside of those regions to the United States and you consent to that transfer. XIII.          Data Security Commitment To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place reasonable physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect. We also use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol on your account information and registration pages to protect sensitive personal information. Sensitive data is encrypted on our iD Sites & Services and when stored on the servers.

XIV. How You Can Access, Request A Copy, Correct, Or Ask For Information To Be Deleted Access to certain personal Information that is collected from our Services and that we maintain may be available to you. For example, if you created a password-protected account within our Service, you can access that account to review the information you provided.

You may also send an email or letter to the following email or call the number provided to ask for a copy, correction, or ask us to delete your personal Information. Please include your registration information for such services, such as first name, last name, phone, and email address in the request. We may ask you to provide additional information for identity verification purposes or to verify that you are in possession of an applicable email account. Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-888-709-8324 XV. How To Contact Us/Opting Out Of Electronic Communications If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or if you have provided your email and/or address and prefer not to receive marketing information, please contact us via email or call at the number provided below.  Make sure you provide your name as well as the email(s) and address(es) you wish to have removed. 

If you have signed up to receive text messages from us and no longer wish to receive such messages, you may call or email us at the address provided below. Please provide your name, account email, and the number(s) you want removed. Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-888-709-8324 XVI.         Terms And Conditions Your use of our iD Sites & Services and any information you provide on our iD Sites & Services are subject to the terms of the internalDrive, Inc. (referred to as “iD Tech”) Terms and Conditions. XVII.         Privacy Statement Changes We will occasionally amend this privacy statement. We reserve the right to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this statement at any time. If we materially change our use of your personal information, we will announce such a change on relevant iD Sites & Services and will also note it in this privacy statement. The effective date of this privacy statement is documented at the beginning of the statement. If you have any questions about our privacy statement, please contact us in writing at [email protected] or by mail at PO Box 111720, Campbell, CA 95011. XVIII.          Your Credit Card Information And Transactions For your convenience, you may have us bill you or you can pay for your orders by credit card. If you choose to pay by credit card, we will keep your credit card information on file, but we do not display that information at the online registration site. For your security, your credit card security number is not stored in our system.

We use state-of-the-art Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology to safeguard and protect your personal information and transactions over the Internet. Your information, including your credit card information, is encrypted and cannot be read as it travels over the Internet. XIX.         Social Networking Disclaimer iD Tech provides several opportunities for social networking for both participants and staff on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. These sites are not affiliated with iD Tech and offer their own individual social networking services. Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully, as well as the Terms and Conditions of the sites in which iD Tech has created a forum ("Group"). These Terms and Conditions are a legal agreement between you and iD Tech and apply to you whether you are a visitor to these sites or any site with an official iD Tech affiliation. iD Tech is a member of several pre-existing sites (as mentioned above). There may be, however, portions of  www.iDTech.com  that include areas where participants can post submissions. Any of the above-mentioned "Sites" (or other similar sites) have their own distinct rules and regulations. iD Tech reserves the right to take action to remove any content deemed inappropriate by the sites or by iD Tech standards. iD Tech will not be held liable for any loss of content or disagreements that may arise between the individual social networking site and the user. You understand that by registering for an iD Tech program, your participant(s) may access and upload content to social networking sites. In order to access certain features of the social networking sites or pages on iDTech.com, and to post Member Submissions, the majority of these sites require that the user open an account with them. Please note that these sites have their own individual Terms and Conditions that must be followed. Age requirements are outlined within each Site's Terms and Conditions. You hereby authorize your participant to access social networking sites while at camp and create an account if they choose to do so and if they meet the requirements listed by each site to create an account. Interaction with other users:

• iD Tech is merely providing a medium in which to socialize online with fellow participants. Users are solely responsible for interactions (including any disputes) with other Members and any volunteers that may advise and assist participants with projects and activities via your use of the iD Site & Services.
• You understand that iD Tech does not in any way screen Members or review or police: (i) statements made by Members in their Member Submissions or the Member Submissions in general; or (ii) statements made by Users or any information a User may provide via the iD Site & Services.
• You understand that your participant(s) is solely responsible for, and will exercise caution, discretion, common sense, and judgment in using the various iD Sites & Services and disclosing personal information to other Members or Users. 
• On behalf of your participant(s), you agree that they will take reasonable precautions in all interactions with other Members, particularly if they decide to meet a Member offline or in person.
• Your participant's use of the social networking sites with which iD Tech is affiliated, their services, and/or Content and Member Submissions, is at your sole risk and discretion and iD Tech hereby disclaims any and all liability to you or any third party relating thereto.
• On behalf of your participant(s), you agree that they will not harass, threaten, intimidate, bully, stalk, or invade the privacy of any individual in connection with your use of the social networking sites with which iD Tech is affiliated and their services, whether or not an individual is an iD Tech Member; and you further agree not to advocate such activities or to encourage others to engage in any such activities.
• On behalf of your participant(s), you agree they will not give their social networking information to an iD Tech staff member.
• You and your participant(s) should also be aware that under no circumstances are iD Tech employees allowed to give personal contact information for social networking sites. This must be arranged by the participant's parent/guardian through the People Services Department.

XX.        Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy: You agree that you and your participant will not use the social networking sites to offer, display, distribute, transmit, route, provide connections to, or store any material that infringes copyrighted works, trademarks, or service marks or otherwise violates or promotes the violation of the intellectual property rights of any third party. internalDrive, Inc. has adopted and implemented a policy that provides for the termination in appropriate circumstances of the accounts of users who repeatedly infringe or are believed to be or are charged with repeatedly infringing the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others. XXI.       Disclaimer:   BY USING THE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES OR SUBMITTING A MEMBER SUBMISSION, YOU AGREE THAT INTERNALDRIVE, INC. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE, AND WILL IN NO EVENT BE HELD LIABLE, FOR ANY: (A) LOST, ILLEGIBLE, MISDIRECTED, DAMAGED, OR INCOMPLETE MEMBER SUBMISSIONS; (B) COMPUTER OR NETWORK MALFUNCTION OR ERROR; (C) COMMUNICATION DISRUPTION OR OTHER DISRUPTIONS RELATED TO INTERNET TRAFFIC, A VIRUS, BUG, WORM, OR NON-AUTHORIZED INTERVENTION; OR (D) DAMAGE CAUSED BY A COMPUTER VIRUS OR OTHERWISE FROM YOUR ACCESS TO THE SITE OR SERVICES. THE SITE, SERVICES, INTERNALDRIVE, INC., CONTENT, AND MEMBER SUBMISSIONS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. INTERNALDRIVE, INC. AND ITS SUPPLIERS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE SITE, SERVICES, INTERNALDRIVE, INC., CONTENT AND MEMBER SUBMISSIONS, WHETHER THE PROVISION OF SERVICES OR YOUR SUBMISSION OF A MEMBER SUBMISSION WILL PRODUCE ANY LEVEL OF PROFIT OR BUSINESS FOR YOU OR LEAD TO ECONOMIC BENEFIT, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF QUALITY, AVAILABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN ADDITION, INTERNALDRIVE, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT THE SITE OR SERVICES WILL BE ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED. SOME STATES OR JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. XXII.         Indemnification:   You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold iD Tech, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with: (i) your access to or use of social networking sites, their services, iD Tech Content and Member Submissions; (ii) your violation of these Terms of Use; (iii) your violation of any third-party right, including, without limitation, any intellectual property right, publicity, confidentiality, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any claim that one of your Member Submissions caused damage to a third party or infringed or violated any third-party intellectual property right, publicity, confidentiality, property, or privacy right.

iD Tech Terms & Conditions

Id tech general terms & conditions publish date: october 26, 2023.

These Terms and Conditions apply to all pages found at www.idtech.com  and all Programs operated by internalDrive, Inc. (referred to as "iD Tech") including but not limited to iD Tech In-Person programs and iD Tech Online Programs. These terms apply to all lessons, classes, courses, and options offered by iD Tech (hereinafter referred to individually as “Program” or collectively “Programs”).

Privacy Policy: By using iD Tech’s website, registering you or your student for a Program, and/or affirmatively giving your agreement, you are agreeing on your own behalf and that of your student to abide and be bound by the Privacy Policy found HERE and the Terms and Conditions contained and referenced herein.

Online Programs: If you are purchasing, or you or your student is participating in an Online Program you also agree on your own behalf and on behalf of your student, to be bound by the additional terms and conditions found HERE .

On-Campus Programs: If you are purchasing, or you or your student is participating in, an On-Campus Program, you also agree on your own behalf and on behalf of your student to be bound by the additional terms and conditions found HERE .

I. Code of Conduct

To promote the best learning environment possible, all students and parents will be held to this Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct or engaging in actions or attitudes that seem to be harmful to the atmosphere, other participants, or staff, in the opinion of iD Tech can lead to removal from a Program or Program(s). iD Tech reserves the right to dismiss students from a Program and prevent a student from attending additional Programs without any prior warning for (1) violating any of the terms of this code of conduct, or (2) if iD Tech determines that a Program is not a suitable and/or productive environment for a student (this includes incidents in which a student does not have sufficient English language skills to participate in the Program; participation in courses requires a high level of English understanding). Refunds will not be given for students dismissed for failure of the student or the parent to abide by the Code of Conduct, or if it is determined that a Program is not suitable for a student. While iD Tech strives to maintain excellent relationships with students, in some rare cases, we may determine that iD Tech is not a compatible environment for every student.

Students and parents/guardians may NEVER:

• Disrupt, bully, intimidate, or harass others;
• Use inappropriate language (for example, students cannot use of swear or curse words, racial, gendered, homophobic/transphobic, stereotypical, or culturally insensitive words, even if done in a joking manner);
• View, display or post any inappropriate material (including sexual content, material depicting inappropriate violence, racism, bullying, etc.) during a Program;
• Share Program information (including lesson plans, etc.) with third-parties, without permission from iD Tech;
• Impersonate another person; or
• Contact instructors outside of the Program.

Students also may NEVER:

• Engage in Internet hacking;
• Create an account on or log into third-party websites without the permission of their instructor;
• Use false information to create an account on or log into third-party websites;
• Share personal information with staff members or ask staff members for their personal information;
• Share or create video or audio recordings of iD Tech staff or another student without the permission of iD Tech.

Students and parents/guardians MUST:

• Follow directions/instructions of iD Tech personnel;
• If online, ensure the student attends the Program in an appropriate, private setting;
• Dress appropriately during the Program;
• Adhere to the terms of use of any sites used, including following the specified age policies; and
• Only share material that is related to lessons and appropriate.

II. Age Policy

iD Tech offers Programs for students ages 7-19. Therefore, students may interact and/or room with a student that is within this age range including 18 or 19 years old. Please note the age range of the Program being registered for.

If a student is 18 or 19 years old and participating in an On-Campus Program, they must successfully pass a criminal and sexual offender background check prior to being allowed to attend. Clients are responsible for all costs and fees associated with any background checks required for a student to attend.

III. Special Accommodations

If a student requires an accommodation to participate, or needs an aid to attend in an iD Tech Program, a parent/guardian must call iD Tech at 1-888-709-8324, no less than three weeks prior to your student’s first day of the Program to make needed arrangements.

If a student requires an aide to participate in an iD Tech Program, the aide must be age 18 or older, may not be a family member, and if it is an On -Campus Program, the aide must successfully pass a criminal and sexual offender background check prior ro being allowed to attend with the student. Aides may also be subject to fingerprinting. Clients are responsible for all direct costs, including background check processing fees, parking, and compensation for the aide’s attendance.

IV. Payment Policy

• Unless otherwise noted, all financial transactions are made and quoted in U.S. Dollars.
• All Payment Plan Fees, fees paid for Online Programs, and the $250 per week deposit for On-Campus Programs are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
• Other than if iD Tech needs to cancel a class, there are no refunds, credits or replacement days for classes missed. If iD Tech needs to cancel a class, iD Tech will either provide you a pro rata credit or reschedule the canceled class(es).
• If iD Tech cancels an entire Program for any reason, the fees paid for the Program will be refunded, less the non-refundable fees, as set out above. Non-refundable fees (other than the Payment Plan Fee, if any) will remain in your account as a fully transferable credit that is valid for three (3) years.
• iD Tech has the right to charge a $25 late fee on any payments not paid by the due date. For balances that are over 30 (thirty) days past due, iD Tech has the right to charge a 1% monthly finance charge and send the balance to a collection agency for collection (collection agency and legal fees may apply).
• All fees (registration, administrative, late, etc.) must be paid prior to the start of a Program, unless a payment plan has been agreed to. Students will be withdrawn from a Program if the Program has not been paid in full prior to the start of the Program, or if at any time a payment is not paid by the due date. No refunds, credits, or make-up classes will be provided if a session is missed due to a delinquent payment.
• By agreeing to a subscription or payment plan, you are authorizing iD Tech to auto charge the credit card on file as agreed at the time of purchase and as set out in My Account.
• A $35 returned check fee will be assessed for any checks returned or card transactions that are not honored.

V. Reservation Changes

To provide outstanding Programs, we may have to limit your ability to make changes (such as registering for a different course or changing attendance dates) and/or cancel a Program. Please reference the Terms and Conditions for specific Programs (linked above) for the rules and restrictions for changes and cancellations for that Program.

VI. Promotions and Discounts

Promotional discounts are limited to one discount per student. There may be other limitations as to how they apply, and codes must be submitted at the time of registration. iD Tech will not honor retroactive adjustments, and the total discounts received cannot exceed the total cost of the products purchased.

The Refer-a-Friend Program is a voluntary Program that applies to Small Group Classes and In-Person Programs.

• Each Referral Code can be used a maximum of 10 times. The code can only be used by students attending iD Tech for the first time (may be limited to certain Programs) and must be applied at the time of registration.
• A tuition credit will be given for each new student that registers for an In-Person Program or Small Group Class using a referral code and attends the course for which they registered.
• The Refer-a-Friend Program does not apply to siblings.
• Students may not refer each other to both qualify for the Refer-a-Friend Discount.
• Tuition credit will be applied after the referred client registers, pays in full and attends the Program. If the referred friend cancels his/her Program, the credit will be removed, and you will be responsible for any account balance that is created as a result of the lost credit.
• All tuition credits must be used in the Program term in which they are earned, can be used to offset Program tuition and other fees incurred, but do not entitle you to any form of payment.
• Tuition credits have no cash value.

VII. Certificates/Vouchers

All certificates/vouchers are non-refundable, non-transferable, and not redeemable for cash. Certificates/vouchers must be redeemed at the time of registration. Certificates/vouchers are valid until the specified expiration date, without exception. They are valid for up to the amount issued, and any amounts not used are forfeited.

VIII. General Releases

• Media Release: As a condition of participation, you authorize iD Tech and its partners to take photos, videos, images, audio, and testimonials of and/or from you and your student and agree that said content may be used by iD Tech in promotional materials, marketing collateral, and online media. These images, testimonials, photos, videos, and audio may be shared and used by corporate partners, the media, or other organizations that work with iD Tech. You also agree that all projects and work created by your student during an iD Tech Program may be used by iD Tech in promotional materials, online, and other print media, and may be shared and used by corporate partners, the media, or other organizations that work with iD Tech. You understand that iD Tech, its owners, agents, partners, facility providers, and employees will not be held liable for damages and injuries associated with use of any content released herein, including any and all claims based on negligence. You agree that all images, testimonials, photos, video, and audio taken at or in connection with an iD Tech Program are the sole and exclusive property of iD Tech, and that iD Tech has a royalty-free, perpetual license to use copies of all student work and projects created at an iD Tech Program.
• Name and Likeness Release: As a condition of participation, you authorize iD Tech and the press to use your student's full name and likeness in print, radio, TV, and other mediums.
• Project/Hardware Release: Some iD Tech Programs are project-based. In such instances, iD Tech will attempt to provide your student with the knowledge to produce a working project. Some iD Tech Programs include take home hardware. In those instances, iD Tech will send home a product or voucher for a product. However, there will be instances when a project or product or product voucher cannot be sent home, posted, or delivered, and you agree that iD Tech is not responsible if the game, project, product or voucher does not work properly and/or is not compatible with outside systems. You release iD Tech from any responsibility for failure to provide a copy of the project or product voucher, or a non-functioning/non-compatible/non-complete game, project, product voucher or product. Refunds will not be issued for not receiving products, product vouchers, or being provided a copy of the project, and/or non-functioning/non-compatible/non-complete projects, product vouchers or products. If you have issues with a product voucher or product, you must contact the manufacturer directly. Product vouchers only cover shipping within the continental U.S. Therefore, if you require the product to be shipped outside the continental US, you are responsible for all shipping and handling costs.
• Software Accounts: Some iD Tech Program activities require creation and/or use of an online account or require an online account to be created for your student. You consent to create or have iD Tech create account(s) as needed for your student to participate in Program activities. During non-instructional time, students may have access to websites that require accounts to be set up. While it is against iD Tech rules for students to set up accounts without their instructor’s permission, there may be instances where a student may create an account without the knowledge of iD Tech or its employees. In such instances, you release iD Tech and its employees from any and all responsibility and liability for accounts created by your student without iD Tech’s knowledge.
• Game Ratings: iD Tech takes its corporate responsibility and iD Tech family values very seriously. However, we cannot guarantee that younger students at iD Tech will avoid all contact with or mention of games rated "T" for Teen, or "M" for Mature. iD Tech will make a concerted effort to minimize both direct and indirect exposure to any games not rated for a student’s age group. Students attending courses designed for older ages have a greater chance of being exposed to materials rated for that older age group. If a student is attending a course for ages 13+, they may be exposed to games rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). You voluntarily assume any and all risks, known or unknown, associated with your student’s exposure to game content at an iD Tech Program.

IX. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold internalDrive, Inc.,iD Tech, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your student’s participation in an iD Tech Program.

X. Arbitration Agreement

You agree that any dispute other than collection matters, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, you or your student's participation in a Program with internalDrive, Inc., or otherwise arising between the parties, including, without limitation, any statutorily created or protected rights, as permitted by applicable state/provincial or federal laws, shall be settled by arbitration to be held in Santa Clara County, California, in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The prevailing party in the arbitration shall be entitled to recover expenses including costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees associated therewith. Should any part of this contract be found invalid or not enforceable by a court of law, then the remaining portion shall continue to be valid and in force. You hereby acknowledge that you understand the terms of this ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, and you agree to comply with all of its terms and provisions.

XI. Rights Reserved

internalDrive, Inc. reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. iD Tech is not a university-sponsored program. iD Tech reserves the right to cancel or modify any and all classes, lessons, Programs or courses for any reason.

XII. Release of Liability

ON BEHALF OF MY SON/DAUGHTER/WARD, I, THE PARENT/GUARDIAN, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RIGHT OF MY SON/DAUGHTER/WARD TO PARTICIPATE IN ID TECH PROGRAM(S), HEREBY RELEASE INTERNALDRIVE, INC., ITS OWNERS, AGENTS, PARTNERS, FACILITY PROVIDERS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM LIABILITY (INCLUDING CLAIMS BASED UPON NEGLIGENCE) FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES OR INJURIES TO MY SON/DAUGHTER/WARD OR DAMAGE OF ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY. I AGREE TO BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL SUCH DAMAGES OR INJURIES WHICH MAY RESULT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY NEGLIGENT ACTS OR ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNALDRIVE, INC. HOWEVER, I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT RELEASING INTERNALDRIVE, INC., ITS OWNERS, AGENTS, PARTNERS, FACILITY PROVIDERS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONALLY TORTIOUS CONDUCT. TO THE EXTENT THIS RELEASE CONFLICTS WITH STATE/PROVINCIAL LAW GOVERNING RELEASES, THIS RELEASE IS TO BE GIVEN THE FULLEST FORCE AND EFFECT PERMITTED UNDER STATE/PROVINCIAL LAW. SHOULD ANY PART OF THIS CONTRACT BE FOUND INVALID OR NOT ENFORCEABLE BY A COURT OF LAW, THEN THE REMAINING PORTION SHALL CONTINUE TO BE VALID AND IN FORCE. XIII. Copyright

iD Tech partners with and uses the intellectual property of some amazing companies. You and your student agree to uphold the copyright and trademark rights of iD Tech, their partners, and any company whose products are used at an iD Tech Program.

Essay  COMPETITION

2024 global essay prize, registrations are now open all essayists must register  here  before friday 31 may, 2024.

The John Locke Institute encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style. Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum.

Entering an essay in our competition can build knowledge, and refine skills of argumentation. It also gives students the chance to have their work assessed by experts. All of our essay prizes are judged by a panel of senior academics drawn from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton, under the leadership of the Chairman of Examiners, former Cambridge philosopher, Dr Jamie Whyte.

The judges will choose their favourite essay from each of seven subject categories - Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology and Law - and then select the winner of the Grand Prize for the best entry in any subject. There is also a separate prize awarded for the best essay in the junior category, for under 15s.

Q1. Do we have any good reasons to trust our moral intuition?

Q2. Do girls have a (moral) right to compete in sporting contests that exclude boys?

Q3. Should I be held responsible for what I believe?

Q1. Is there such a thing as too much democracy?

Q2. Is peace in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip possible?

Q3. When is compliance complicity?

Q1. What is the optimal global population?  

Q2. Accurate news reporting is a public good. Does it follow that news agencies should be funded from taxation?

Q3. Do successful business people benefit others when making their money, when spending it, both, or neither?

Q1. Why was sustained economic growth so rare before the later 18th century and why did this change?

Q2. Has music ever significantly changed the course of history?

Q3. Why do civilisations collapse? Is our civilisation in danger?

Q1. When, if ever, should a company be permitted to refuse to do business with a person because of that person’s public statements?

Q2. In the last five years British police have arrested several thousand people for things they posted on social media. Is the UK becoming a police state?

Q3. Your parents say that 11pm is your bedtime. But they don’t punish you if you don’t go to bed by 11pm. Is 11pm really your bedtime?

Q1. According to a study by researchers at four British universities, for each 15-point increase in IQ, the likelihood of getting married increases by around 35% for a man but decreases by around 58% for a woman. Why?

In the original version of this question we misstated a statistic. This was caused by reproducing an error that appeared in several media summaries of the study. We are grateful to one of our contestants, Xinyi Zhang, who helped us to see (with humility and courtesy) why we should take more care to check our sources. We corrected the text on 4 April. Happily, the correction does not in any way alter the thrust of the question.

Q2. There is an unprecedented epidemic of depression and anxiety among young people. Can we fix this? How?

Q3. What is the difference between a psychiatric illness and a character flaw?

Q1. “I am not religious, but I am spiritual.” What could the speaker mean by “spiritual”?

Q2. Is it reasonable to thank God for protection from some natural harm if He is responsible for causing the harm?

Q3. Does God reward those who believe in him? If so, why?

JUNIOR prize

Q1. Does winning a free and fair election automatically confer a mandate for governing?

Q2. Has the anti-racism movement reduced racism?

Q3. Is there life after death?

Q4. How did it happen that governments came to own and run most high schools, while leaving food production to private enterprise? 

Q5. When will advancing technology make most of us unemployable? What should we do about this?

Q6. Should we trust fourteen-year-olds to make decisions about their own bodies? 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & FURTHER DETAILS

Please read the following carefully.

Entry to the John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2024 is open to students from any country.

Registration  

Only candidates who registered before the registration deadline of Friday, 31 May 2024 may enter this year's competition. To register, click here .  

All entries must be submitted by 11.59 pm BST on  the submission deadline: Sunday, 30 June 2024 .  Candidates must be eighteen years old, or younger, on that date. (Candidates for the Junior Prize must be fourteen years old, or younger, on that date.)

Entry is free.

Each essay must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed 2000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, endnotes, bibliography or authorship declaration). 

The filename of your pdf must be in this format: FirstName-LastName-Category-QuestionNumber.pdf; so, for instance, Alexander Popham would submit his answer to question 2 in the Psychology category with the following file name:

Alexander-Popham-Psychology-2.pdf

Essays with filenames which are not in this format will be rejected.

The candidate's name should NOT appear within the document itself. 

Candidates should NOT add footnotes. They may, however, add endnotes and/or a Bibliography that is clearly titled as such.

Each candidate will be required to provide the email address of an academic referee who is familiar with the candidate's written academic work. This should be a school teacher, if possible, or another responsible adult who is not a relation of the candidate. The John Locke Institute will email referees to verify that the essays submitted are indeed the original work of the candidates.

Submissions may be made as soon as registration opens in April. We recommend that you submit your essay well in advance of th e deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.

Acceptance of your essay depends on your granting us permission to use your data for the purposes of receiving and processing your entry as well as communicating with you about the Awards Ceremony Dinner, the academic conference, and other events and programmes of the John Locke Institute and its associated entities.  

Late entries

If for any reason you miss the 30 June deadline you will have an opportunity to make a late entry, under two conditions:

a) A late entry fee of 20.00 USD must be paid by credit card within twenty-four hours of the original deadline; and

b) Your essay must be submitted  before 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

To pay for late entry, a registrant need only log into his or her account, select the relevant option and provide the requested payment information.

Our grading system is proprietary. Essayists may be asked to discuss their entry with a member of the John Locke Institute’s faculty. We use various means to identify plagiarism, contract cheating, the use of AI and other forms of fraud . Our determinations in all such matters are final.

Essays will be judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, the competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style and persuasive force. The very best essays are likely to be those which would be capable of changing somebody's mind. Essays which ignore or fail to address the strongest objections and counter-arguments are unlikely to be successful .

Candidates are advised to answer the question as precisely and directly as possible.

The writers of the best essays will receive a commendation and be shortlisted for a prize. Writers of shortlisted essays will be notified by 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 31 July. They will also be invited to London for an invitation-only academic conference and awards dinner in September, where the prize-winners will be announced. Unlike the competition itself, the academic conference and awards dinner are not free. Please be aware that n obody is required to attend either the academic conference or the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London.

All short-listed candidates, including prize-winners, will be able to download eCertificates that acknowledge their achievement. If you win First, Second or Third Prize, and you travel to London for the ceremony, you will receive a signed certificate. 

There is a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category, and the winner of the Junior category, is a scholarship worth US$2000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute programme, and the essays will be published on the Institute's website. Prize-giving ceremonies will take place in London, at which winners and runners-up will be able to meet some of the judges and other faculty members of the John Locke Institute. Family, friends, and teachers are also welcome.

The candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior Fellowship, which comes with a US$10,000 scholarship to attend one or more of our summer schools and/or visiting scholars programmes. 

The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

R egistration opens: 1 April, 2024.

Registration deadline: 31 May, 2024. (Registration is required by this date for subsequent submission.)

Submission deadline: 30 June, 2024.

Late entry deadline: 10 July, 2024. (Late entries are subject to a 20.00 USD charge, payable by 1 July.)

Notification of short-listed essayists: 31 July, 2024.

Academic conference: 20 - 22 September, 2024.

Awards dinner: 21 September, 2024.

Any queries regarding the essay competition should be sent to [email protected] . Please be aware that, due to the large volume of correspondence we receive, we cannot guarantee to answer every query. In particular, regrettably, we are unable to respond to questions whose answers can be found on our website.

If you would like to receive helpful tips  from our examiners about what makes for a winning essay or reminders of upcoming key dates for the 2024  essay competition, please provide your email here to be added to our contact list. .

Thanks for subscribing!

The John Locke Institute's Global Essay Prize is acknowledged as the world's most prestigious essay competition. 

We welcome tens of thousands of submissions from ambitious students in more than 150 countries, and our examiners - including distinguished philosophers, political scientists, economists, historians, psychologists, theologians, and legal scholars - read and carefully assess every entry. 

I encourage you to register for this competition, not only for the hope of winning a prize or commendation, and not only for the chance to join the very best contestants at our academic conference and gala ceremony in London, but equally for the opportunity to engage in the serious scholarly enterprise of researching, reflecting on, writing about, and editing an answer to one of the important and provocative questions in this year's Global Essay Prize. 

We believe that the skills you will acquire in the process will make you a better thinker and a more effective advocate for the ideas that matter most to you.

I hope to see you in September!

Best wishes,

Jamie Whyte, Ph.D. (C ANTAB ) 

Chairman of Examiners

Q. I missed the registration deadline. May I still register or submit an essay?

A. No. Only candidates who registered before 31 May will be able to submit an essay. 

Q. Are footnote s, endnotes, a bibliography or references counted towards the word limit?

A. No. Only the body of the essay is counted. 

Q. Are in-text citations counted towards the word limit? ​

A. If you are using an in-text based referencing format, such as APA, your in-text citations are included in the word limit.

Q. Is it necessary to include foo tnotes or endnotes in an essay? ​

A. You  may not  include footnotes, but you may include in-text citations or endnotes. You should give your sources of any factual claims you make, and you should ackn owledge any other authors on whom you rely.​

Q. I am interested in a question that seems ambiguous. How should I interpret it?

A. You may interpret a question as you deem appropriate, clarifying your interpretation if necessary. Having done so, you must answer the question as directly as possible.

Q. How strict are  the age eligibility criteria?

A. Only students whose nineteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation. In the case of the Junior category, only students whose fifteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation. 

Q. May I submit more than one essay?

A. Yes, you may submit as many essays as you please in any or all categories.

Q. If I am eligible to compete in the Junior category, may I also (or instead) compete in another category?

A. Yes, you may.

Q. May I team up with someone else to write an essay?  

A. No. Each submitted essay must be entirely the work of a single individual.

Q. May I use AI, such as ChatGPT or the like, in writing my essay?

A. All essays will be checked for the use of AI. If we find that any content is generated by AI, your essay will be disqualified. We will also ask you, upon submission of your essay, whether you used AI for  any  purpose related to the writing of your essay, and if so, you will be required to provide details. In that case, if, in our judgement, you have not provided full and accurate details of your use of AI, your essay will be disqualified. 

Since any use of AI (that does not result in disqualification) can only negatively affect our assessment of your work relative to that of work that is done without using AI, your safest course of action is simply not to use it at all. If, however, you choose to use it for any purpose, we reserve the right to make relevant judgements on a case-by-case basis and we will not enter into any correspondence. 

Q. May I have someone else edit, or otherwise help me with, my essay?

A. You may of course discuss your essay with others, and it is perfectly acceptable for them to offer general advice and point out errors or weaknesses in your writing or content, leaving you to address them.

However, no part of your essay may be written by anyone else. This means that you must edit your own work and that while a proofreader may point out errors, you as the essayist must be the one to correct them. 

Q. Do I have to attend the awards ceremony to win a prize? ​

A. Nobody is required to attend the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London. But if we invite you to London it is because your essay was good enough - in the opinion of the First Round judges - to be at least a contender for First, Second or Third Prize. Normally the Second Round judges will agree that the short-listed essays are worth at least a commendation.

Q. Is there an entry fee?

A. No. There is no charge to enter our global essay competition unless you submit your essay after the normal deadline, in which case there is a fee of 20.00 USD .

Q. Can I receive a certificate for my participation in your essay competition if I wasn't shortlisted? 

A. No. Certificates are awarded only for shortlisted essays. Short-listed contestants who attend the award ceremony in London will receive a paper certificate. If you cannot travel to London, you will be able to download your eCertificate.

Q. Can I receive feedba ck on my essay? 

A. We would love to be able to give individual feedback on essays but, unfortunately, we receive too many entries to be able to comment on particular essays.

Q. The deadline for publishing the names of short-listed essayists has passed but I did not receive an email to tell me whether I was short-listed.

A. Log into your account and check "Shortlist Status" for (each of) your essay(s).

Q. Why isn't the awards ceremony in Oxford this year?

A. Last year, many shortlisted finalists who applied to join our invitation-only academic conference missed the opportunity because of capacity constraints at Oxford's largest venues. This year, the conference will be held in central London and the gala awards dinner will take place in an iconic London ballroom. 

TECHNICAL FAQ s

Q. The system will not accept my essay. I have checked the filename and it has the correct format. What should I do?  

A. You have almost certainly added a space before or after one of your names in your profile. Edit it accordingly and try to submit again.

Q. The profile page shows my birth date to be wrong by a day, even after I edit it. What should I do?

A. Ignore it. The date that you typed has been correctly input to our database. ​ ​

Q. How can I be sure that my registration for the essay competition was successful? Will I receive a confirmation email?

A. You will not receive a confirmation email. Rather, you can at any time log in to the account that you created and see that your registration details are present and correct.

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR SUBMISSION

If you are unable to submit your essay to the John Locke Institute’s global essay competition, your problem is almost certainly one of the following.

If so, please proceed as indicated.

1) PROBLEM: I receive the ‘registrations are now closed’ message when I enter my email and verification code. SOLUTION. You did not register for the essay competition and create your account. If you think you did, you probably only provided us with your email to receive updates from us about the competition or otherwise. You may not enter the competition this year.

2) PROBLEM I do not receive a login code after I enter my email to enter my account. SOLUTION. Enter your email address again, checking that you do so correctly. If this fails, restart your browser using an incognito window; clear your cache, and try again. Wait for a few minutes for the code. If this still fails, restart your machine and try one more time. If this still fails, send an email to [email protected] with “No verification code – [your name]” in the subject line.

SUBMITTING AN ESSAY

3) PROBLEM: The filename of my essay is in the correct format but it is rejected. SOLUTION: Use “Edit Profile” to check that you did not add a space before or after either of your names. If you did, delete it. Whether you did or did not, try again to submit your essay. If submission fails again, email [email protected] with “Filename format – [your name]” in the subject line.

4) PROBLEM: When trying to view my submitted essay, a .txt file is downloaded – not the .pdf file that I submitted. SOLUTION: Delete the essay. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “File extension problem – [your name]” in the subject line.

5) PROBLEM: When I try to submit, the submission form just reloads without giving me an error message. SOLUTION. Log out of your account. Open a new browser; clear the cache; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Submission form problem – [your name]” in the subject line.

6) PROBLEM: I receive an “Unexpected Error” when trying to submit. SOLUTION. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If this resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Unexpected error – [your name]” in thesubject line. Your email must tell us e xactly where in the submission process you received this error.

7) PROBLEM: I have a problem with submitting and it is not addressed above on this list. SOLUTION: Restart your machine. Clear your browser’s cache. Try to submit again. If this fails, email [email protected] with “Unlisted problem – [your name]” in the subject line. Your email must tell us exactly the nature of your problem with relevant screen caps.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU EMAIL US.

Do not email us before you have tried the specified solutions to your problem.

Do not email us more than once about a single problem. We will respond to your email within 72 hours. Only if you have not heard from us in that time may you contact us again to ask for an update.

If you email us regarding a problem, you must include relevant screen-shots and information on both your operating system and your browser. You must also declare that you have tried the solutions presented above and had a good connection to the internet when you did so.

If you have tried the relevant solution to your problem outlined above, have emailed us, and are still unable to submit before the 30 June deadline on account of any fault of the John Locke Institute or our systems, please do not worry: we will have a way to accept your essay in that case. However, if there is no fault on our side, we will not accept your essay if it is not submitted on time – whatever your reason: we will not make exceptions for IT issues for which we are not responsible.

We reserve the right to disqualify the entries of essayists who do not follow all provided instructions, including those concerning technical matters.

Imperial College London Imperial College London

Latest news.

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• Faculty of Natural Sciences

The RCSU Science Challenge

The Science Challenge is back for another year of giving young scientists the opportunity to show off their science communication skills! Keep reading to find out how to enter!

The Science Challenge is the Royal College of Science Union's annual science communication competition. It gives young scientists the opportunity to develop the skills to talk about science in a way that is engaging and fun to people who don’t necessarily have a science background.

The competition involves producing a short piece of science communication, in answer to one the questions set by our guest judges. With exciting prizes and a wide range of interesting questions, perfect for showing off your skills, this year’s Science Challenge promises to be a very exciting competition!

Key Information

Competition Opens: Friday 1 March 2024 Submission Deadline: Friday 26 April at 17.00 Awards Ceremony: Friday 21 June

How to enter:

This is an individual competition so we will not be accepting team entries this year. Entries are short pieces of science communication, written entries: 1000 words, video entries: maximum 3 minutes 30 seconds. 

Enter the competition now!

Eligibility:

The Science Challenge consists of two categories: School Students and Imperial College Students. We're proud to announce that this year the competition will be opened to all Imperial undergraduates and Master's students. We would love to receive an entry from you if you are

• A school student in your last four years of secondary education (Equivalent to UK year 10 - 13).
• Currently enrolled as an Imperial College undergraduate student or Master's student.

Entries are welcome from schools in the UK and internationally. Imperial undergraduates will answer the same prompts as the school students but will be judged separately. While multiple entries will be accepted from each school, only one winner/runner up will be allowed per school per question.

Note: This is an individual competition so we will not be accepting team entries this year

In our RCSU Science Challenge 2024 eligibility document , you can find out accepted entry formats as well as terms and conditions.

"Science does not exist in a vacuum and science communication allows the translating of knowledge to different fields in order for it to be applicable in our daily lives." - Science Challenge Participant 2021/22 

What will I have to do?

That is a great question, we're glad you asked! The competition involves producing a short piece of fun and engaging science communication that someone without a scientific background can not only understand but enjoy!

Some of the prompts will specify a type of communication (i.e. written, video, etc..) and others will leave it up to you. An indication of what typically constitutes a 'short' piece of science communication is:

• Written entries: 1000 words max.
• Video entries: 3 minutes 30 seconds max.

It's often the case that the best (and most fun to make) pieces of science communication are ones that are outside of the box, so we hope this inspires you to get creative!

Why do we do this?

Science is part of everyone's lives in some way or another, but for many people just hearing the word is enough to spark an intense combination of anxiety, anger and nausea. 

A common sentiment is that science is only for scientists to understand; not everyone needs to or even can understand it, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, science is just the window that lets us see into how all the things around us work and why they work that way. The problem is, with the way that science is presented in popular media, that window gets covered in dust and dirt for most people; making it impossible to see through. The job of science communicators is to clean that window; making what initially seemed distant and unattainable, into something interesting, exciting, approachable and fun.

We hope to inspire those who take part in the Science Challenge to explore, develop and use their scientific skills along with their passion for their corner of science to help others see what all the excitement is about.

Why should I enter?

We think there are too many great reasons to enter the Science Challenge to even begin to count, but here are some of the best ones:

• You will have the opportunity to discover where the science you've learned from textbooks sits in both science more widely and in society.
• You will get the chance to develop the skills to communicate science in concise, engaging, and creative ways; a crucial skill for all careers in STEM.
• Prizes include publication of written work, a trip to the House of Lords and free tickets to the Cheltenham Science Festival*.
• You will have the opportunity to discuss the areas of science you're most interested in with more freedom (and fun) than an exam question or presentation.

Further information

Judges and questions.

Find out more about our guest judges for this year's competition, including the questions they are setting for entrants.

Find out more

Past winners

Discover past winners of the competition, including questions asked by our guest judges.

ICPC Foundation Activities

ICPC World Finals Championships

2019 World Finals Porto

March 31 - april 5, 2019.

The University of Porto is the most sought-after university in Portugal and one of the top 200 universities in Europe. Close to 32,000 students and 2,000 faculty and scholars represent 15 schools and nearly 50 research units, covering all fields of knowledge and higher education levels. Describing itself as a leading research university, the University of Porto is responsible for almost 25% of all Portuguese scientific production and some of its most significant innovations. The Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, with its 152 startups, is the center of Porto’s innovation ecosystem, considered one of the strongest in Europe. 

Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the second-largest city in Portugal. Unique, hospitable, and cosmopolitan, the city of Porto is situated in the north of Portugal. It lies in an exceptional geographical setting, between the river and the sea, described as the amphitheater overlooking the Douro River, beside which it was born.

2020 World Finals Moscow

June 19-24, 2021.

Moscow is the largest megacity in Europe, with a population of over 12.5 million people and one of the TOP-50 student cities in the world. The city was founded in 1147 and named after the river flowing through it. Today Moscow is a modern metropolis rich in history, the hub of Russia’s scientific and innovative development, and the best tourist destination according to the prestigious World Travel Awards in 2019. 

The hosting university - Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) is one of the country’s leading universities and an important hub for innovative research. MIPT’s mission is to train leaders able to tackle pressing scientific and technological issues: those who will shape Russian and global successes in the 21st century. Ten Nobel Prize winners have studied and worked there, including the youngest ever recipient, Konstantin Novoselov.  MIPT trains highly skilled professionals in the fields of fundamental and applied physics, mathematics, computer science and technology, chemistry, biology, and other natural and engineering sciences. Among other areas at the focus of the Institute’s research are aging and age-related diseases, applied and fundamental physics, 2D materials, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, genomic engineering, Arctic and space technologies.

Home › Essay Competition 2024 › Essay Competition Winners › 2021 Essay Competition Winner – Riya R

2021 Essay Competition Winner – Riya R

Table of Contents

Take a look at one of the winning entries to the Immerse Education Essay Competition from the Medicine category. Congratulations to all participants and in particular to those who won 100% scholarships!

by Riya R . Read Riya’s Scholarship Story Here.

How important are soft skills for medical professionals?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines soft skills as ‘personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people’. Soft skills, often referred to as transferable or professional skills, are intangible, non-technical, and are the personal character traits or qualities to help succeed in any profession. 1 For medical professionals, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, patience and compassion are vital to effectively engage with patients, their families and coworkers.

In 2007, a study of 240 medical errors by trainees, including 167 breakdowns in teamwork, identified poor non-technical skills as the main cause. By contrast, 139 errors were attributed to lack of technical competence. 2

Teamwork is a critical soft skill for medical professionals to safely and compassionately deliver patient care. In surgery, increasing effective teamwork between multi-disciplinary teams is found to decrease patient mortality rates. 3 This shows the significance of soft skills in saving lives.

Effective communication skills can help identify patient needs. Medical professionals communicate with one another and patients in various ways including written, face-to-face, and virtually. Written communication is key to making referrals, updating patient records and prescribing medication. 4

“When I define communication, I think of a new grad who is proactive, direct, open, honest, thoughtful and it’s not just about what they say, it’s how they say it,” says Jennifer O’Leary, Faculty, Genetics Technology at The Michener Institute, Canada. 5 Good communication skills include actively listening to others, processing feedback received, and reflecting on the feedback.

Surgeons are among those most resistant to acknowledging the need to brush up their speaking skills and a cause of concern for the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), UK. According to Charles Collins, Chair of the Patient Liaison Groups at RCS, “Only around 25 per cent of a surgeon’s job requires technical expertise, even less in many specialties. The rest is about communicating with patients.” 6 Surgeons need communication skills to discuss complicated procedures and help patients make informed choices. 7

Patience is an essential soft skill for medical professionals. Whether guiding a patient and family through a challenging illness, or managing staff members during a period of heavy admissions, having patience can help decompress stress and enable more effective problem-solving. 8

As medical professionals continually adopt new technologies to engage remotely with patients – as seen during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – there is an increasing reliance on soft skills. In light of COVID-19, the NHS has turned to remote consultations to minimise the risk of infection for staff and patients. 9 Such consultations using live video conferencing highlight a clinician’s body language and facial expressions, enabling a patient to clearly understand the message being conveyed. 10

To summarise, soft skills for medical professionals are more important than ever to deliver safe and effective patient care. An increasing dependency on technology and virtual interactions make it imperative for soft skills to be taught as part of medical and associated healthcare curricula globally.

Bibliography

1 Ashley Rego. “Soft skills: Who says they can’t be taught?” Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 79:2 (2017): 11

2 Hardeep Singh, Eric J. Thomas, MD, MPH, Laura A. Petersen, MD, MPH, “Medical Errors Involving Trainees: A Study of Closed Malpractice Claims from 5 Insurers” JAMA Internal Medicine 167:19 (2007): 2030-2036

3 Andrew Jenkinson. “Teamwork in Surgery” The Laparoscopic Consultant

https://www.laparoscopicconsultant.co.uk/pdf/teamwork-in-surgery.pdf [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

4 Evie Lee. “Effective Communication in Health and Social Care” CPD Online College (2021) https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/care/effective-communication/ [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

5 Ashley Rego. “Soft skills: Who says they can’t be taught?” Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 79:2 (2017):11

6 Jane Feinmann . “Brushing up on doctors’ communication skills.” The Lancet. 360:9345 (2002)

7 Wendy Levinson, Pamela Hudak, Andrea C.Tricco. “A systematic review of surgeon–patient communication: Strengths and opportunities for improvement” ScienceDirect 93:1 (2013): 3-17

8 Bushardt, Reamer L. “Patience is still a virtue” JAAPA (Journal of the American Academy of PAs)

29:5 (2016): 13-14

9 British Medical Association ( BMA ) “COVID-19: video consultations and home working” (2021) https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/adapting-to-covid/covid-19-video-consultations

-and-homeworking [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

10 P. Vermeir, D. Vandijck, S. Degroote, R. Peleman, R. Verhaeghe, E. Mortier, G. Hallaert, S. Van Daele, W. Buylaert, D. Vogelaers. “Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations” IJCP (The International Journal of Clinical Practice) (2015) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijcp.12686 [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

British Medical Association ( BMA ) “COVID-19: video consultations and home working” (2021) https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/adapting-to-covid/covid-19-video-consultations

Bushardt, Reamer L. “Patience is still a virtue” JAAPA (Journal of the American Academy of PAs)

May 2016 29:5 13-14

https://journals.lww.com/jaapa/FullText/2016/05000/Patience_is_still_a_virtue.1.aspx

Feinmann , J “Brushing up on doctors’ communication skills.” The Lancet. 360:9345 . 16 Nov. 2002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11592-3

Jenkinson, A. “Teamwork in Surgery” The Laparoscopic Consultant

Lee, E. “Effective Communication in Health and Social Care” CPD Online College (2021) https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/care/effective-communication/ [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

Levinson, W. Hudak, P. Andrea C.Tricco. “A systematic review of surgeon–patient communication: Strengths and opportunities for improvement” ScienceDirect 93:1 (2013) 3-17 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2013.03.023

P. Vermeir, D. Vandijck, S. Degroote, R. Peleman, R. Verhaeghe, E. Mortier, G. Hallaert, S. Van Daele, W. Buylaert, D. Vogelaers. “Communication in healthcare: a narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations” IJCP (The International Journal of Clinical Practice) 6 July, 2015 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijcp.12686 [Last Accessed: 3rd Jan 2020]

Rego, A. “Soft skills: Who says they can’t be taught?” Canadian Journal of Medical Laboratory Science 79:2 (2017):11

https://www.proquest.com/docview/1917630414?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true

Singh, H. Eric J. Thomas, Laura A. Petersen, David M. Studdert Arch Intern Med. JAMA Internal Medicine 167:19 (2007):2030-2036.

Why Apply To The Immerse Education Essay Competition? 

Are you a highly motivated student aged 13-18? Have you ever wanted to experience studying at Cambridge or Oxford? 

The Immerse Education essay competition allows you the chance to submit an essay for the chance to be awarded a scholarship to the award-winning Cambridge summer school . 

How To Apply To The Immerse Education Essay Competition? 

The Immerse Education annual essay competition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a scholarship to a Cambridge or Oxford summer school . 

If you’re aged 13-18 and you’re interested in applying to the Immerse Education essay competition then please visit our essay competition page for more details.

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Middle School Initiative expects to boost college access

Getting the right classes in middle school means getting into college

Typical 13-year-olds may not realize it, but the classes they take in middle school can determine whether they will go to college. 

For instance, students who don’t take algebra by the 9th grade most likely will never later take high school physics or calculus—classes that are important for college admissions.

“The data shows us that getting into college is based on the courses that you were given, or not given, in middle school,” said Joi Spencer, the dean of UC Riverside’s School of Education.

“It is not only about what kids decide. It's also about what gets decided for them,” she added. “The challenging part is that a lot of times the children and their families simply do not know what classes they should take.”

To boost college access, UCR’s School of Education is reaching out to Inland Empire middle school students and their families through a Middle School Initiative aimed at helping them get on the right academic track for college.

The initiative includes:

•    Sponsoring an essay contest in which middle school students are asked to write about the role of education in their lives. •    Sending representatives to eighth-grade promotion ceremonies to reach out to students and parents. •    Establishing a   STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Academy summer day camp for middle school students on the UCR campus to expose them to the wonders of college.

The School of Education is approaching the initiative with a sense of urgency because of a disparity in the number of Inland students who don’t take the classes they need to go to a state university, Spencer said.

Less than half—48%—of Inland Empire high school graduates in 2023 completed the coursework they would need to apply for college in the University of California and California State University systems, according to Growing Inland Achievement , an Inland Empire educational collaborative group, which includes UCR. Inland graduates lagged their peers in Los Angeles and Orange counties, where 60% and 57%, respectively, completed such coursework.

What’s more, Inland Empire minoritized students fared worse than their white and Asian peers, with only 41% and 44% of African American and Hispanic students, respectively, completing college prep classes with a “C” grade or better to be considered for UC or CSU admissions.

The Middle School Initiative works to increase those numbers. It is a broad umbrella events and activities to help young people develop stronger academic identities and defeat systems and structures that inhibit their access to education, Spencer said.

“We know that young people begin to define themselves at this age, but they also begin to be defined by society,” Spencer said. “Maybe some people see you as a football kid. And that's okay. But could you also be a football kid and a science kid?”

The STEAM Academy will run this summer as a pilot program for two weeks between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the UCR campus with slots for 60 students. The students will be broken into smaller groups or “pods,” each led by UCR undergraduate and graduate student mentors.

“They will be exposed to a really rich and super interactive series of experiences in visual mathematics, engineering, and of all kinds of science and arts,” Spencer said.

Participating families will not be charged. The students are being recruited through Inland Empire school districts. Spencer expects the academy to grow in the coming years and to be offered to as many as 120 middle school students.

“Students and families need to know we are here, and we're thinking about what's coming next for them,” Spencer said.  

Header image: Stock photograph by Getty Images

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Guest Essay

The Real Danger if Trump Is Re-elected

By Jacob Heilbrunn

Mr. Heilbrunn is the editor of The National Interest, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the author, most recently, of “America Last.”

Donald Trump may be regularly depicted as an impetuous toddler in chief, but he appears to possess genuine convictions about international relations. Ever since he gave an interview to Playboy magazine in 1990 decrying Mikhail Gorbachev for failing to hold the Soviet empire together (“not a firm enough hand”) and praising the Chinese Communist leadership for crushing the student uprising at Tiananmen Square (“they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength”), Mr. Trump has extolled authoritarian leaders as possessing the right stuff, while he has dismissed democratic ones as weak and feckless.

This impulse is not a new phenomenon for the United States; it dates back to World War I and World War II, when leading American conservatives praised foreign autocrats such as Kaiser Wilhelm II, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Francisco Franco as their ideological comrades in arms. Until now, however, no modern president has lauded autocracy as a model for America.

During his four years in office, Mr. Trump blustered about alliances and praised foreign dictators but never actually upended America’s foreign policy. That could change in a second Trump administration. The former president is poised to adopt a radical program centered on constructive engagement with foreign strongmen and hostility toward democratic allies; it would include abandoning NATO. It would convert America from a dominant economic and military power into what Mr. Trump purports to abhor — a global loser.

To understand why Mr. Trump’s approach might well differ from the one he took in his initial term, it’s helpful to look at the foreign policy advisers who are being talked about as potential members of a new Trump administration. They can be divided into two camps, which might be called Restorationists and Revisionists.

Restorationists are establishment Republicans such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the former national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien who want to go back in time — specifically, to Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy hawkishness and staunch internationalism, which they believe led straight to the fall of the Berlin Wall and victory in the Cold War. During the Trump presidency, they worked overtime to maneuver Mr. Trump in this direction, pushing him to adopt tough stances toward Iran, Russia and China, while maintaining ties to traditional allies in Asia and Europe.

Now, in a variety of interviews, speeches and books, they have been sketching out their vision for a second Trump term — one that would shore up America’s alliances, pursue peace through strength and confront Iran, Russia and China — while camouflaging their crusading Reaganite views in a thin veneer of Trumpian nationalism.

Revisionists, by contrast, are “America First” advocates who espouse a much harder-edged approach and, more often than not, want to go it alone.

Organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the America First Policy Institute, the two main think tanks vying to staff the next Trump administration, have been vetting potential appointees to establish a government in waiting. As Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former Trump national security official, observed in his 2021 memoir, “War by Other Means,” “Our problem was that we did not always know who our enemies were; in some cases, they were our own political appointees.” Mr. Trump himself has loudly complained about many of the advisers he appointed, such as John Bolton.

The conservative activists around him wish to install purists who will preach America First precepts, not least the dogma that America’s security isn’t tied to Europe’s because, as Mr. Trump recently put it, “an ocean” separates the territories.

The Revisionists don’t place as much value on our membership in NATO and are generally ardent proponents of a longstanding dream on the right of a Fortress America that can strike unilaterally whenever and wherever it pleases, unencumbered by nettlesome international alliances and organizations.

Take Mr. Trump’s former ambassador to Germany and acting national intelligence director, Richard Grenell. He has opposed Sweden and Finland’s joining NATO while supporting far-right populists in Serbia, Guatemala and elsewhere. Then there is Russ Vought. A former Trump budget director who might serve as the White House chief of staff, Mr. Vought has decried American aid to Ukraine and stated that he would reassess “the old idea of NATO’s collective defense.”

Mr. Kellogg, who might serve as defense secretary under Mr. Trump, is not a staunch opponent of sending aid to Ukraine, but even he has suggested that we should be prepared to use the threat of cutting it off to push the country into peace talks with Moscow — a recipe for pre-emptive surrender.

Former Trump Defense Department official Elbridge Colby, who is widely seen as a top contender to become national security adviser if Mr. Trump wins re-election, typifies the radicalism of the Revisionist camp. Mr. Colby has insisted that confronting China requires slashing support to Ukraine, and he recently lambasted Britain’s foreign secretary, David Cameron, for “lecturing” Republican politicians about the imperative to assist Kyiv, deeming it “foreign interference.”

Mr. Trump’s own hostility to sending aid to Ukraine suggests that he would most likely be receptive to a deal with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, allowing him to operate freely in Central and Eastern Europe — in the name of stability and peace. By the same token, for all his bluff and bombast about the China threat, Mr. Trump, unlike President Biden, has never indicated that he would stand by Taiwan were China to invade.

He appears to view American alliances with South Korea and Japan with skepticism, if not outright hostility. Less than a year after the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, met with Mr. Biden in April to announce new security agreements, Mr. Trump could simply decide that he has no intention of honoring America’s commitments abroad.

Rupturing America’s alliances would lead to arms races and nuclear proliferation in Asia and Europe. Nationalists like Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, and Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, who is known as a “little Putin,” would be emboldened to strengthen their ties with the Kremlin and undermine European security.

And the domestic consequences could be severe. Many of Mr. Trump’s economic advisers, including the former trade chief Robert Lighthizer (a leading candidate to be the Treasury secretary under Mr. Trump), are apparently intent on pursuing the Great Depression redux — waging trade wars with Europe and Asia. They’re floating a host of other risky measures, including curbing the independence of the Federal Reserve, weakening the dollar to try to increase exports, and imposing high tariffs on goods from China and Europe.

While Mr. Biden’s new tariffs on China aggressively target the solar industry and electric cars, Mr. Trump wants to decouple the world’s two largest economies from each other. These measures would weaken the confidence of foreign investors and fuel higher inflation.

With Ukraine and Russia at war, China threatening its neighbors and the Middle East aflame, warnings of a new world war already abound. Add in Mr. Trump’s strongman predilections — purging the State Department, the C.I.A. and the F.B.I. as redoubts of the deep state, cozying up to Mr. Putin, threatening China and reportedly sending assassination squads into Mexico to target drug kingpins — and the odds of a calamity rise.

Would the damage be irreversible? Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany supposedly remarked that “God has a special providence for fools, drunkards and the United States of America.” But Mr. Trump’s return might test even the Almighty’s patience.

Mr. Trump’s economic and foreign policy nationalism would subvert the preponderance of power that America has enjoyed since 1945 and that he has promised to bolster. It has been threatened from without but never from within. As he vows to upend America’s relations with the rest of the globe, the danger is not that Mr. Trump would fail to live up to his principles. It’s that he would.

Jacob Heilbrunn ( @JacobHeilbrunn ) is the editor of The National Interest, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the author, most recently, of “America Last.”

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