15 Free STEM Competitions for High School Students
If you want to challenge yourself beyond your school curriculum, STEM competitions offer a structured way to apply what you’ve learned to various problems. You may build projects, write research-based responses, or solve technical challenges based on defined guidelines. These experiences will give you concrete work to include in your CV, college applications, or Statement of Purpose (SOP). Many of these competitions are free, making them accessible opportunities to explore.
Why should you participate in STEM competitions in high school?
STEM competitions allow you to work on projects independently or in teams while developing analytical and technical skills. Depending on the competition, activities can include writing research papers, building prototypes, solving coding challenges, or analyzing datasets within a defined timeframe. These experiences can help you explore different STEM fields while gaining experience in presenting and refining your work.
To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 free STEM competitions for high school students.
1. Microsoft Imagine Cup
Location: Remote
Cost and Prizes: Free; prizes include $100,000 + mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO for the Scale path and $50,000 for the Launch Path
Dates: Semifinals: February 10 – April 7; Announcement of Launch winner and top three Scale finalists: April 8 | World Championship Round: April – May, with the final winner being announced in late Spring/early Summer
Application deadline: Minimum Viable Product Submission (MVP) Round: September 30 – January 9 (submitting your entry to the MVP round is compulsory for participation)
Eligibility: High school students and college students who are at least 18 years old; check the Official Rules & Regulations for more information.
The Microsoft Imagine Cup invites you to develop an AI-powered solution that addresses real challenges across education, healthcare, finance, retail, or cybersecurity. You will begin by building a project that integrates at least two Microsoft AI services, and submit a pitch deck, a recorded presentation, and a demo that explains your idea and its practical use. The competition is structured into two tracks: Launch for early-stage prototypes or MVPs, and Scale for teams with existing users, revenue, or funding; you can choose based on your project’s maturity. Submissions will be evaluated based on technical implementation, solution viability, inclusive design, and evidence of user validation and continuous improvement. As you progress through the semifinals, you will gain access to Azure credits, training resources, and mentorship to refine both your technical and business approach. Top teams in the Scale track advance to the World Championship stage, where finalists present their solutions to industry judges and compete for prizes and a mentorship session with the Microsoft Chairman and CEO.
2. Immerse Education’s Essay Competition
Location: Remote
Cost and Prizes: Free; prizes include full or partial scholarships to Immerse Education’s university and career preparation programs
Dates: Submission window: November 3 – January 14; Results Announcement: January 30
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18
The Immerse Education Essay Competition is a global academic writing contest for students, centered on producing a 500-word essay in response to subject-specific prompts. You will choose from a broad list of essay topics in areas such as artificial intelligence, math, engineering, law, and philosophy, and develop a clear, research-based argument supported by evidence and structured reasoning. Submissions will be evaluated by academic judges based on communication of ideas, critical analysis, use of evidence, word choice, structure, and technical accuracy. The competition emphasizes formal academic writing skills, including coherence, argument development, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with complex questions. Top-performing students receive 10% to 100% scholarships for Immerse Education’s academic programs. Selected essays that reflect high-quality written work and academic potential may also be considered for publication.
3. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Location: Remote; finalist phase is in-person (exact location varies each year)
Cost and Prizes: Free; National winners get $100,000 in prizes for their school | $1,000 – $50,000 worth of school prizes available for semi-finalists, finalists, and winners of Employee Choice and Community Choice awards, and teams that show outstanding potential
Dates: Semi-finalist phase: December 17 – February 11 | Finalist phase: March 4 – April 13
Application deadline: Application phase: September 17 – November 24
Eligibility: Public school students in grades 6 – 12 (the school must be at least 50% publicly funded); only teachers, ages 21 and up, working within the participants’ school can register the teams.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a STEM competition where you will work in a team to design a solution that addresses a real issue in your local community using science, technology, engineering, or math. You will identify a problem affecting your community, such as environmental sustainability or accessibility, and develop a project plan outlining how STEM concepts can be applied to create a feasible solution. Your teacher must submit the entry on your behalf. As the competition progresses, you will refine your idea through stages that include a written proposal, a short project video, and a live presentation to judges. You will consider factors such as community impact, practicality, and how success will be measured in your solution design. Selected teams may receive mentorship from Samsung employees and advance to a final pitch event, where top schools earn prizes of up to $100,00 in technology and resources. The competition focuses on applying STEM knowledge to real-world challenges while developing collaboration, planning, and presentation skills.
4. Lumiere Scholars Essay Award
Location: Remote
Cost and Prize: Free | $200 – $500 cash awards + $2,000 – $1,350 worth of scholarships to any Lumiere Research Scholars Program ( awards ranging from $250 – $1,000 scholarships also given to select students)
Dates: Submission window: March 9 – April 26; Finalist shortlist announcement: May 11 | Announcement of winners: May 17
Application deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award is a global essay competition for high school students, featuring prompts designed by faculty from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Brown, and Dartmouth. You will select one of five prompts and submit a formal essay in English that presents a clear central thesis, logically structured arguments, and engagement with relevant sources. Essays are expected to demonstrate critical thinking, including the ability to analyze opposing viewpoints and support claims with evidence. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, depth of analysis, use of evidence, structure, and overall presentation. The competition focuses on research-based argumentation rather than original data collection or experimental work. Six top entries will be awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze distinctions, sharing over $11,000 in combined cash prizes and scholarships.
5.PennApps
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost and Prizes: Free; top prizes typically involve thousands of dollars and perks from company sponsors
Dates: September 19 – 21 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application deadline: August 18 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 or older, and undergrads
PennApps is a student-run hackathon where you will collaborate in a team of up to four people to build a software or hardware project over the course of a weekend. You will work on technological solutions to real-world problems in areas like healthcare or fintech. All projects must be developed within the event timeframe, typically from the kickoff on Friday to submission on Sunday. Throughout the event, you can attend workshops, receive mentorship, and learn new technical skills while building your project. Submissions will be judged by professionals based on creativity, technical difficulty, usefulness, and overall execution, with top teams receiving prizes and sponsor awards. The event is free to attend and includes meals and lodging, while emphasizing collaboration between beginners and experienced participants.
6. Annual DNA Day Essay Contest
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; $400 – $1,000 cash prizes for winners; $100 for honorable mentions
Dates: Submission window: January 9 – March 4; Announcement of results: April 24
Application deadline: March 4 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; a teacher or administrator must submit essays on behalf of the participating high schooler.
The Annual DNA Day Essay Contest, organized by the American Society of Human Genetics, is an international competition that invites high school students to explore key concepts in genetics through analytical writing. You will respond to a scientific prompt by talking about a genetic treatment or therapy, explaining how it works, and evaluating its benefits, limitations, and ethical implications. Essays must be well-structured, evidence-based, and grounded in accurate scientific understanding, with proper citations and a clear argument. The contest focuses on connecting genetic science to real-world decisions, including considerations like cost, accessibility, and personal choice. Submissions will be reviewed over multiple rounds by genetics professors using a defined rubric that assesses scientific accuracy, use of evidence, writing quality, and references. The competition provides an opportunity to engage with modern genetics while developing skills in scientific reasoning and communication.
7. Stanford Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)’s ProCo
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost and Prizes: Free
Dates: March 7
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students
Stanford ACM’s ProCo is a team-based programming contest where you will solve algorithmic problems in a timed environment modeled after collegiate competitions like ACM-ICPC. You will work in a team of up to three students to complete 9 to 15 coding challenges within a fixed time period, using languages such as C++, Java, or Python. The competition is split into Novice and Advanced divisions, allowing you to participate based on your programming experience and prior contest exposure. You will focus on solving problems involving core concepts like arrays, strings, and integers, with the problems getting more difficult as you progress through the contest. Submissions will be evaluated automatically against hidden test cases, and teams will be ranked based on the number of correct solutions and time-based penalty scoring. The format requires you to write, test, and debug code efficiently under time constraints while coordinating with teammates to tackle multiple problems.
8.U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)
Location: Virtual competition with in-person major events: U.S. SJWP National Competition at Chicago, IL, and the International Competition in Stockholm, Scotland
Cost and Prizes: Free; Prizes for U.S. SJWP National winners: $10,000 scholarship + a national trophy + a framed U.S. SJWP Winner certificate + an all-expenses-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, to compete in the International Competition | International SJWP winner: $15,000 cash prize + the international crystal trophy + $5,000 cash prize for the winning student's school.
Dates: Regional Competitions: Winter before the State Competitions in the Spring | U.S. National SJWP Competition: First two weeks of May + June 8 – 10 | International SJWP Competition: World Water Week at the end of August
Application deadline: April 15 for the State Competition; National Competition deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old can apply to the Regional Competition; regional winners and self-nominated students can enter the State Competition; winners of the State Competition will advance to the U.S. National SJWP Competition
The U.S. SJWP is a research-based competition where you will investigate real-world water issues. You can work individually or in a team of two to design and conduct a water-related research project, using established scientific methods such as experimentation, data analysis, and formal reporting. Your work can address topics like water quality, resource management, or wastewater treatment at local, national, or global levels. Projects may progress through regional, state, and national stages, with evaluation based on criteria such as relevance, methodology, subject-matter knowledge, creativity, and the quality of the research paper. Selected state winners advance to the SJWP National Competition, which will look at both the quality of the research paper and the knowledge showcased in the video presentation. The national winner will receive a $10,000 award and will represent the U.S. at the SJWP International Competition held during World Water Week in Stockholm.
9. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Location: Finals in Washington, D.C.
Cost and Prize: Free; $3.1 million in total awards, with the first-place award amounting to ~$250,000
Dates: Top participants announced in January; Finals week: March 5 – 11; Awards ceremony: March 10
Application deadline: November 6; applications typically open on June 1
Eligibility: High school seniors living in and attending school in the U.S. (regardless of citizenship); U.S. students living abroad are also qualified to apply.
The Regeneron STS is a national research competition for high school seniors where you submit an original science or engineering project in fields such as machine learning, robotics, or algorithmic design. You will present a detailed research report that demonstrates independent investigation, strong analysis, and original contribution to your chosen area of study. Approximately 2,500 students apply each year, with 300 selected as scholars based on the quality and originality of their work. Out of the 300 scholars, 40 finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C., where they will present their research and participate in interviews with Ph.D. scientists. Finalists will be evaluated on their project scope, scientific understanding, creativity, and problem-solving ability through both individual and panel interviews. The top 10 winners will be selected after this final stage, and participants will gain national recognition along with opportunities to engage with leading scientists and researchers.
10. Congressional App Challenge (CAC)
Location: Remote; Final House of Code for winners: Washington, D.C.
Cost and Prizes: Free; Winning app featured in the Capitol Building and on House.gov with the copyright registration application fees waived + invitation to the #HouseOfCode celebration + additional prizes
Dates: May 1 – October 30; winners announced in December; House of Code: Typically, the spring
Application deadline: Pre-registration opens on January 1, and the deadline for registration and submission of the app is October 30
Eligibility: Middle and high school students who are U.S. residents; students may compete in the district they reside in or attend school in (if you’re competing as part of a team, at least half the students in your team must qualify to compete in the district you are participating in)
CAC is a nationwide coding competition where you will design and build an original app to address a problem of your choice. You can participate individually or in a team of up to four, using any programming language or platform, including web, mobile, or desktop applications. The competition is typically organized at the congressional district level, where you will submit your app to be evaluated by local judges with experience in technology and related fields. There are no restrictions on app themes, allowing you to explore topics ranging from community issues to broader technical or social challenges. Your project will be assessed based on its design, functionality, and overall quality. Winning entries will be recognized within their district and may be showcased at the U.S. Capitol during the House of Code event.
11. NASA International Space Apps Challenge
Location: Multiple locations across the globe
Cost and Prize: Free; prizes not specified
Dates: October 4 – 5
Application deadline: Registration is open until the hackathon ends on October 5
Eligibility: Open to everyone, including high school students
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a global, two-day hackathon where you will collaborate in teams to solve real-world problems using open NASA data. You will work with participants from around the world to tackle challenges across fields such as astrophysics, planetary science, and space exploration. The challenge prompts will be released at the start of the event, and your team will develop an open-source solution, which may include data analysis, simulations, or computational tools. You may work on projects such as training AI models to detect exoplanets, modeling asteroid impacts, or designing sustainable systems for space environments. Submissions will be evaluated based on the quality, creativity, and usefulness of the solution developed during the event. Top projects will be recognized at the global level, and all participants will gain experience applying scientific and technical skills to real-world datasets.
12. The New York Academy of Sciences’ The Junior Academy
Location: Remote
Cost and Prizes: Free; Educational prizes are provided to the winning teams; all participants who have successfully completed a challenge will receive a certificate and a Young Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences
Dates: Fall Semester: September – November | Spring Semester: February – April
Application deadline: Fall Semester: March 31 – July 2 | Spring Semester: November – January
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 17; applicants must be proficient in English
The Junior Academy, run by The New York Academy of Sciences, is a virtual program where you will collaborate with students from around the world to solve real-world STEM challenges. You will join an international team and work on an Innovation Challenge, using research methodologies, design thinking, and data analysis to develop a solution over several weeks. The program takes place on an online platform called Launchpad, where you can access resources, interact with mentors, and participate in discussions. Each challenge will be guided by STEM experts and judged by professionals, with selected projects advancing through internal and external evaluation stages. Challenges may cover areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, waste management, and mental well-being. You will work through structured milestones and submit a final solution presentation at the end of the challenge cycle. Participants who complete all required work will receive recognition and a New York Academy of Sciences membership, while the winning team will present its solutions at a virtual symposium.
13. Rochester Pre-College Data Science Challenge
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Cost and Prizes: Free; prizes not specified
Dates: Registration window: March 19 – April 13; Tutorials: April 6 (tutorials); Awards ceremony: Not specified
Application deadline: March 19 – April 13
Eligibility: High school students in the Greater Rochester area; students must participate in teams of three with a teacher/mentor
Hosted by RIT’s College of Science, this competition challenges you to work with U.S. election data and find patterns at both the national and local levels with a focus on how trends play out in the Greater Rochester area. You will work within a team of three peers, playing a key role within the group, either as the Analyst who handles the coding and statistics, the Captain who leads the vision, or the Storyteller who presents the findings. Your final submission will consist of a written report, a slide deck, and a short video, but oral presentation carries the most weight (40%), so being able to clearly explain your findings matters. You will work with open-access datasets from sources like MIT's Election Data Lab and the U.S. Census Bureau, while learning how to utilize tools like Python, R, or Julia through sessions led by Ph.D. mentors.
14. Toshiba ExploraVision Competition
Location: Remote, except for the ExploraVision Awards weekend in Washington, D.C.
Cost and Prize: Free; Prizes include an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the ExploraVision Awards Weekend, a U.S. EE Savings Bond worth up to $10,000 (at maturity), and Chromebooks, along with other gifts and certificates. Check here for more information.
Dates: Announcement of regional winners: March 12; Announcement of National winner: April 28; ExploraVision Awards Weekend: June 3 – 6
Application deadline: Project submission deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. or Canadian citizens
The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition is a team-based STEM program where you will research an existing technology and project how it could evolve 10 or more years into the future. You will work in groups of two to four peers, guided by a teacher, to analyze current scientific principles, identify limitations, and propose future developments, including required breakthroughs and potential impacts. A key aspect of the competition is that you must outline the full development process, including design choices, challenges, and both positive and negative consequences of your proposed technology. Your submission must include a structured research project with an abstract, detailed description, bibliography, and sample web pages that communicate your idea. Unlike typical science fairs, this competition emphasizes long-term innovation and the steps needed to turn ideas into realistic technologies. Through this process, you will gain hands-on research experience and refine critical thinking and scientific communication skills while working collaboratively on a future-focused STEM concept.
15. Saint Joseph’s University’s Analytics and Data Visualization Competition
Location: Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost and Prizes: Free; prizes available (details not specified)
Dates: Round 1: February 25; Round 2: March 11
Application deadline: December 19
Eligibility: High school students; the competition accepts teams of 3–5 students from one school, accompanied by one faculty or staff advisor from the same school.
This competition, hosted by Saint Joseph’s University, invites you to work with a dataset, analyze it, and turn your insights into an interactive dashboard to tell a clear data story. You will present your work to a panel of judges from academia and industry, who will score you on how strong your analysis is, how well you communicate, and how thoughtfully your visuals are designed. The competition runs in two rounds, so if your team advances, you will receive feedback from judges and have the chance to improve your dashboard before presenting again to a new panel. Special awards are available for innovative use of AI and standout dashboard design.
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