Top Five: STEM Competitions
STEM competitions to put your skills to the test this fall
STEM competitions are set up for individuals or teams to solve a specific challenge or problem presented to them by using science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Many times these challenges are rooted in real-world issues, encouraging competitors to use creativity and critical thinking in order to come up with innovative solutions.
One of the major benefits of STEM competitions with teams of students is the opportunity to work on soft skills such as communication, leadership, work ethic, time management and of course - teamwork. Students that are able to work together in teams, strengthening their collaborative and social skills while accomplishing their tasks then get to enjoy the other major benefit of competition - PRIZES!
Built By Girls reviewed the biggest and best STEM competitions coming up this fall and into 2024 and here are some to check out and sign up for. Good luck!
What is it: Started in 2003, the competition has steadily grown with more than 2 million competitors representing 150 countries in the 2022 cup. Dubbed as “the Olympics of software design" by WIRED magazine, it is considered one of the top competitions and awards related to STEM fields. All Imagine Cup competitors create projects that address the Imagine Cup theme: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems"
Open to: 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.
How to Register: The 2023 World Championship just wrapped and the 2024 registration has just begun.
Prize: The 2023 Imagine Cup World Championship winner, Tawi, took home the champion's trophy, $100,000 cash prize, access to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
What is it: Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. Focusing on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM the competition boasts 13 alumni who have won the Nobel Prize.
Open to: Any student who is enrolled in or attending their senior year of high school.
How to Register: The application period for the 2024 competition is open until November 8, 2023.
Prize: The competition recognizes 300 student scholars and their schools each year and invites 40 student finalists to Washington, D.C. to participate in final judging, display their work to the public, and meet with notable scientists and government leaders. Each year, Regeneron STS scholars and finalists compete for $3.1 million in awards.
What is it: Marketed as “the ultimate sport for the mind”, High-school student participants have called it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get.
Open to: Teams of 10 or more high school students usually work with 2 or or “coaches/mentors” per team. Check out the rules for registering a team.
How to Register: Registration for the next competition started in September with a deadline of November 13th. Be sure to check out the different dates and locations that may suit your team.
Prize: There are many prizes with different focuses including the work of the team and the technology itself with up to $50 million in available scholarships.
What is it: A public challenge to students to code and build their own app. The apps are judged in district-wide competitions hosted by members of Congress.
Open to: High school students.
How to Register: 2023 registration is still open. Registered students can start coding until the competition deadline of November 1, 2023.
Prize: Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website. While the winning students are invited to a Capitol Hill reception in Washington D.C.
What is it: In April 2018, VEX Robotics Competition was named the largest robotics competition in the world by Guinness World Records. With three leagues ranging in ages from elementary to university level, in each of the three leagues, students are given a new challenge annually and must design, build, program, and drive a robot to complete the challenge as best as they can while competing against other teams.
Open to: There are leagues to match all age levels and abilities from elementary school to university level STEM
How to Register: New leagues and competitions are happening all the time both locally and internationally. Check out the latest events near you.
More to Check Out:
Chasing Dreams and Discovering Opportunities in STEM
