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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 11 best high school science competitions.

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Love science and want to show off your skills? High school science competitions are a great way to do that! But which competitions will impress colleges the most? We've gathered information on 11 of the best science competitions for high school students. Look over the descriptions that seem most interesting to you, then keep reading to learn everything you need to do to make them stand out on your college applications.

11 Best Science Competitions for High School Students

Below are overviews of 11 of the best science competitions for high school students. For each one, we state which grades are eligible, whether it's an individual or group competition, and whether it's a research-based project or an exam-based competition. We then give a brief overview of what you can expect as a participant in the competition.

AAN Neuroscience Research Prize

• Grades Eligible: 9-12
• Individual or Group: Individual
• Research or Exam: Research

Students in this competition focus on researching and solving problems related to the nervous system/brain. If you decide to compete for this prize, you'll submit your own research on neuroscience, which will be judged on relevance to neuroscience, creativity, interpretation of data, and research reports.

Biology Olympiad

• Research or Exam: Exam

The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is one of the more memorization-heavy olympiads, and much of it, especially in early rounds, involves recalling the text of Campbell Biology in a timed fashion. As you progress further, there will be lab components and short-answer questions. For the hands-on portion, you need to be skilled at following memorized procedures. Nearly 10,000 high school students participate in the Biology Olympiad each year. Students take timed exams and those with the highest scores proceed to the next round. As long as your school is registered, you can sign up for the USABO open exam. If you score within the top 10%, you'll move on to the semifinals, and potentially the national and international competition.

Chemistry Olympiad

The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) is similar to the Biology Olympiad in that they're both exams widely open to high school students, and, if you score high enough, you'll keep advancing to more challenging rounds. However, the Chemistry Olympiad does include more of a lab component than the Biology Olympiad. Any high school student can compete in a local Chemistry Olympiad competition, and students are then nominated for subsequent competitions based on their scores. Local competition exams are all multiple choice, while subsequent competitions include short/long answer questions and labs.

Conrad Challenge

• Grades Eligible: Ages 13-18
• Individual or Group: Group

The Conrad Challenge is a competition that challenges teenagers to think outside the box and create solutions to address local or global problems. Students work on teams of 2-5 (along with an adult coach) to create a product or service in one of the following categories: Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, Transforming Education Through Technology, Smoke-Free World: Eliminating & Reducing Teen Vaping, and Smoke-Free World: Repurposed Farmlands & Tobacco Crops.

Like other high school science research competitions, there are multiple rounds competitors can advance to, and those that reach the Innovation Summit level are invited to present their project to a panel of expert judges at the Kennedy Space Center.

Davidson Fellows

• Grades Eligible: Anyone 18 or younger is eligible

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to students 18 or younger who have completed a project in one of several fields, including STEM. It's both a prestigious and competitive scholarship to win, and the projects the winners produce are often at the level of college-graduate research projects. Research projects should "contribute a work that is recognized as an outstanding accomplishment by experts in the field and has the potential to benefit society."

Envirothon is a competition designed to promote environmental education in schools. Competitions are held during the school year, with the national competition held each summer. Students compete in teams of five to answer questions, do lab work, and give an oral presentation. There are five testing categories: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land use, wildlife, and a current environmental issue that changes yearly.

ExploraVision

• Grades Eligible: K-12

The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program is a competition designed to build STEM skills in students. Participants research a current technology of their choice then envision what that technology will look like in 20 years, including development steps, pros and cons, and challenges. Students work in groups of 2-4, along with a teacher as a mentor.

MIT THINK Scholars Program

• Individual or Group: Mostly individual, although groups of two are allowed

Most research competitions require participants to have already completed the project, but the THINK program is different in that students only need to have completed background research for a project in the science, technology, or engineering fields before applying. Those whose projects are selected receive $1,000 funding and mentorship from MIT students. They also get a paid trip to MIT's campus to meet professors in their field of research, tour labs, attend MIT's xFair.

National Science Bowl

• Grades Eligible: 6-12

The National Science Bowl is one of the oldest and best-known science competitions, having been around since 1991. Students compete in groups of four (along with a coach and an alternate member) to verbally answer questions in all areas of math and science. Thousands of students compete each year, and you need to be able to answer questions quickly to do well. There are local, regional, and national competitions, and questions are designed to be at a college freshman level of knowledge.

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF)

• Individual or Group: Either (groups can have up to three members)

Regeneron ISEF (formerly Intel ISEF) is one of the most prestigious science fairs for high school students. In fact, it's the premier science fair in the United States and one of the best-known high school science competitions. If you rank within the top 100, that's enough to help your application stand out even for Ivy League schools, and if you win the entire competition, you get a $75,000 prize!

You can't apply directly to the ISEF. Instead, you have to start out first in a regional science fair . If you do well in that, you can advance to the next ISEF rounds. Key factors for winning include being innovative and original. To show originality for the ISEF, you need to tackle a problem that's interesting to the scientific community. Since few high school students have a good overview of the academic science literature, it's important for any student to have a professional academic scientist or engineer as their mentor. This will ensure that you work on a problem the field considers important.

Science Olympiad

• Individual or Group: Either
• Research or Exam: Mix

We've written an in-depth guide on how to excel at Science Olympiad , but here's a brief overview. Schools that compete in Science Olympiad have a team made up of 15 members. Each member typically participates in three or four events. There are 23 events, some of which are "study" events where you learn about a specific topic and are tested on it, and others are "building" events that are hands-on and require you to design something (a plane, bridge, protein model, etc.). The events are varied and cover topics such as human biology, geology, and circuits. You'll be scored for each of your events, and those scores are combined into a team score. There are regional, state, and national competitions each year.

What to Look for in High School Science Research Competitions

The above list certainly doesn't include every science competition for high schoolers, and if you don't find one that quite fits what you're looking for, feel free to do some additional research of your own. However, use judgement when considering unknown competitions, especially if they are new or you can't find much information about them beyond a website or their social media. Also be wary of those that charge large fees to participate.

Quality science competitions will have a clear and detailed website that explains what the competition is, who is eligible, how you can participate, and who you can contact to learn more. It's not required for them to be backed by an academic or government entity (such as the Department of Energy) or a well-known corporation (such as Toshiba), but having that name recognition can help solidify their legitimacy.

Additionally, older competitions, and those that are national (rather than just local or regional) typically are better known and can stand out more on college applications. While some competitions offer significant prize money, just because a certain competition has smaller/no prizes doesn't mean they're not worth your time. Winners may receive other benefits, such as mentorship or invitations to conferences where they can network.

If you're ever unsure about a science competition, ask your science teacher or guidance counselor about it; they often know a lot about these things and can advise you if you should participate or focus your efforts elsewhere.

How to Include High School Science Competitions in College Applications

Participating in a high school science competition can be a strong asset to your college applications, especially if you plan on majoring in a STEM field. Colleges like to see passion and commitment to your future field of study, and participating in a science competition shows them you have both the skills and motivation to pursue science outside of the classroom. To make your participation as impressive as possible, use the following tips:

#1: Make Clear the Time You Put In

The more time you commit to something the stronger it looks to colleges because it shows dedication and a strong work ethic. So, instead of just listing the science competitions you participated in, be sure to include how long you prepared for the competition and what you were doing. Use numbers whenever possible, for example: "Studied chemistry and biochemistry topics 5-10 hours a week for four semesters" or "spent 25 hours researching biotech innovations, 20 hours contacting and meeting with biotech experts to gather advice and feedback, 60 hours designing prototype…" The more specific and detailed you are, the more colleges will understand how much work you've put into it.

#2: Connect It to Your Spike

Your " spike " is what we call your overarching passion/interest/career goal. For example, your spike might be being a great basketball player, creating a blog with thousands of followers, conducting engineering research, etc. The stronger your spike, the more impressive you are to colleges because you'll show talent, dedication, and passion that will likely continue in college.

If your spike at all relates to STEM, then you want to connect these science competitions to it however you can. Say you want to be a doctor, and your spike is an interest in human biology. If you competed on Science Olympiad, you'd want to be sure to mention any events you were on that related to human biology, mentoring you got from medical professionals, etc. Keep connecting it back to your spike to make your participation in high school science research competitions even stronger.

#3: Highlight Any Initiative You Took

Colleges love it when applicants show initiative because it indicates leadership qualities, aptitude, and motivation. Be sure to make clear any initiative you took with the project. This could include setting up a team, getting your school to participate in a competition it previously didn't have a program for, contacting mentors, designing research protocols, etc. If you came up with the idea on your own and followed through, make sure it shows up on your application!

#4: Don't Feel Like You Had to Win for It to Count

Many science competitions for high school students have thousands of competitors, and only a tiny fraction of those participants will end up winning a prize. However, that doesn't mean they're the only people with a strong extracurricular to add to their applications. Preparing for a competition takes time, skill, and a strong work ethic, all qualities that colleges appreciate. So if you work hard to prepare for a competition, be sure to still include it on your applications, even if you don't end up placing.

What's Next?

Do you love science? Check out our guide to learn which science classes you should take in high school .

Interested in math competitions, too? Check out our article on the 12 best math competitions for high school students .

Want to learn about other impressive extracurricular activities? Read our guide to see four examples of outstanding extracurriculars that are sure to impress colleges .

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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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: October 2023.

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 .

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 .

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.

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)

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.

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, Cambridge (2000-word academic essay; age 16–18 women at state school only; deadline likely to be March 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.

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 .

BIEA Youth STEAM Competition

Age: 6–18 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 .

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.

Unsung Heroes of Science video competition

Age: 16–18 Close s: April 2024 TBC

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.

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 .

IET Faraday Challenge

Age: 12–13 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.

Deadlines passed:

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 .

Quantum on the Clock

Age: 16–18 Closed: 8 July 2022

The Institute of Physics’ QQQ group’s  Quantum on the Clock  competition is open to all A-level or equivalent students in the UK and Ireland. Students are tasked to create a three-minute video about any aspect of quantum science or technology. Entries can be individual or in teams of up to four students.

Cash prizes are on offer for the winners and runners-up, with the judging focusing on creativity, clarity, engagement and accuracy. The ‘best individual’ and ‘best team’ winners will also receive year subscriptions to  Physics World   and an expenses-paid invitation to a prize-giving ceremony at the Photon 2022 conference dinner, which will take place from 30 August until 2 September 2022.

To find out more and apply, watch this  video  and go to the Quantum on the Clock  website .

Clean Tech Competition

Age: 15–18 Closed: 22 April 2022 (registration); 29 April 2022 (paper submission deadline)

The Clean Tech Competition research and design challenge asks students to identify a problem with our natural world and resource use that they want to change, innovate a sustainable solution and submit a research paper to the judges. This year there is no topic restriction; entries simply need to have one goal: create a sustainable solution for an environmental issue.

This is a great opportunity to refine research, analysis and literary skills.

Each team should be made up of one to three students, who must be 15–18 years old on the submission deadline, 29 April 2022. Once the papers have been submitted, the top 10 teams from the global pool will be selected to progress to the virtual global finals. They will present their research and prototypes to the judges, and will receive handsome cash prizes, with the first team also earning a continued mentorship from an expert in the field. 

Find out more and register on the  competition website.

Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) Science Challenge

Age: 14–18 Closed: 11 February 2022

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. You can find last year’s (Covid-related) questions on the  website .

There are both individual and team categories, and students can answer one of the questions in either written or video form of up to 1000 words or four minutes respectively. Winners receive cash prizes, plus there are non-cash prizes for the runners up.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed on 14 March 2022 and invited to the grand final on 21 March 2022 at the Royal Institution, where they will deliver a short presentation. Find more information about taking part on the  challenge website .

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• 11 min read

12 Best Science Competitions for High School Students

If you are passionate about science, then you already know it’s a competitive space to be in.

One way of challenging yourself and seeing how you stack up against high-caliber peers is to participate in competitions! This is also handy for your scholar profile - for instance, the Common App has a section dedicated to any awards, honors, or recognition that you may have received. If you do have something to share, it’ll boost your profile because admissions officers love to know whether you are exceptionally good at something.

We’ve shortlisted 12 of the best science competitions ranging from research-based challenges to hands-on projects, to prestigious olympiads conducted at a regional, national, and even international level.

1. USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)

Like most science/math olympiads, the USAPhO has a regional-level exam that you need to score very well on, in order to qualify for the national Olympiad. For the USAPhO, you need to first attempt the F=ma exam.

The syllabus for which includes mechanics, including kinematics, statics, Newton’s laws, momentum and energy, oscillations, orbital mechanics, fluids, and elementary data analysis, as well as calculus-based questions. Based on your scores from the F=ma exam, you qualify for the US Physics Olympiad, the country's most prestigious competition for all physics enthusiasts.

As part of the USAPhO syllabus, you are expected to be familiar with basic concepts of physics as taught in high school, as well as some advanced understanding of the subject, which can help you perform better in questions that require application-based thinking. Apart from MCQ-based questions, you are also required to attempt long-answer formats that you must support with figures and diagrams.

To familiarize yourself with the F=ma exam, its rules, procedure, syllabus, and any extra details, check out our guide on the F=MA exam !

International Physics Olympiad

The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) had its first edition in 1967 and sees participation from thousands of students each year. It is also held in a different country every year.

In order to qualify for the International Physics Olympiad, you must first participate in regional/national-level physics tests, which may vary based on your country of residence. If you qualify as one of the top finalists, you are sent to represent your country at the IPhO!

Tip : You can check out sample questions from previous years here !

Dates: July 10 - 17, 2023

Application Deadline: To be announced.

Location: National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo, Japan.

Prizes: Medals and certificates

Eligibility: All high school students can compete

2. Physics Bowl

A competition hosted only for high school students from all around the world, Physics Bowl tests your knowledge of physics, its basic concepts, applications in the real world, as well as modern physics. Each test is scored by the American Association of Physics Teachers. You are expected to answer 40 MCQ-based questions in 45 minutes and the exam is difficult, with the average score being about 40-50% . To qualify for Physics Bowl on an international level, you must first participate in school-level, regional-level, and national-level rounds. The competition has two further divisions, for first-year physics students, and second-year physics students.

Physics Bowl is one of the most prestigious and competitive physics competitions in the country, and prepping and participating in the challenge is sure to enhance your knowledge and analytical thinking skills!

Do note that you must pay $5 to register yourself for this challenge.

Tip : You can test yourself before the competition using these printable tests!

Dates: March 22 to April 14, 2023

Application Deadline: February 27, 2023!

Location: Varies according to your region, most school-level rounds are held under the supervision of your teachers at your school itself.

Prizes: Awards and certificates

Eligibility: All high school students can apply!

3. AMC 10/12

If you’re a high school student looking for a competitive experience in the field of mathematics, the AMC 10 and AMC 12 exams are opportunities you should keep an eye out for.

The syllabus of the AMC 10 covers mathematical concepts taught up until the 10th grade, while AMC 12 includes topics taught throughout high school, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus.

Both the AMC 10 and AMC 12 are 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice examinations, and have two sets of questions, of which you can attempt either one (A or B).

Tip : You can find AMC 10/12 preparation materials here !

AMC10/12 A - November 10, 2023

AMC10/12 B - November 16, 2022

Application Deadline: Deadline for AMC10/12 A - October 26, 2023

Deadline for AMC10/12 B - November 2, 2023

You can check out a complete date list here !

Location: In-person and online

Prizes: Certificates

Eligibility: All high schools students can participate

4. U.S. Math Olympiad (USAMO)

An olympiad just as, if not more, competitive and prestigious as the USABO, UNSCO, and IPhO, the USAMO is hosted annually for all high school students. It invites some of the brightest of competitors every year, and 6 top scorers are trained and sent to the International Math Olympiad to compete with teams from other countries. In order to qualify for the USAMO, you must be one of the top scorers at AMC 10 , AMC 12 , and AIME .

Since USAMO is an invitation-only proof-type examination, you are expected to have a strong hold on mathematical concepts such as topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, probability, and methods such as induction and proof by contradiction.

Since exposure to proofs in high school is limited, you may receive a lower score than expected, but this should not deter you from battling it out with fellow high school students!

The exam is split into two 4.5-hour sessions, with you being given 6 questions to solve, without using a calculator.

IMO - International Math Olympiad

If you’re one of the top scorers at the USAMO, you are selected for the International Math Olympiad training camp, which usually involves rigorous preparation and testing to prepare the team that represents the US. You compete with over 20 countries at the IMO, and getting selected for the US Math Olympiad team is an extremely prestigious achievement.

You can take a look at the structure of the IMO, eligibility, sample questions, and more here .

Tip : Curious about the type of questions you'll face at the USAMO? Take a look!

Dates: March 21 - 22, 2023

Application Deadline: Dates vary for AMC 10 , AMC 12 , and AIME , you can check out a complete date list here

Location: In-person, finals to be held in Washington D.C.

Prizes: Certificates, awards

Eligibility: All high school students can participate

5. U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)

The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is considered one of, if not the most prestigious chemistry competition in the US. I t invites 1000+ students every year and assesses students on their knowledge of broad chemistry topics, chemical theories, and models, as well as students' problem-solving skills in the lab.

The competition is spread across 4 tiers, with students first appearing for local/regional-level rounds, and moving up to the National Level, as well as the International Level . Here’s a little more information about the International Chemistry Olympiad -

IChO - International Chemistry Olympiad

The top 20 finalists from the National Round of the US National Chemistry Olympiad are invited to Study Camp, where finalists are prepared and tested, right before representing the country at an international level at the International Chemistry Olympiad, or IChO.

Tip : Here are a few excellent resources to help you prep for your Olympiad, school exams, or even entrance tests for college!

March 1-31 Local Exam

April 15-23 National Exam

June 4-17 Study Camp

July 16-25 International Chemistry Olympiad

Application Deadline: Vary from state to state, applications usually close by March end.

Location: Vary for every local event

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $300, recognition, and awards

Eligibility: Open to all US-based high-school students

6. You Be the Chemist

Hosted by the Chemical Educational Foundation, You Be The Chemist challenges you on your knowledge of basic concepts in chemistry, as well as lab and reasoning skills. You first compete, in a team of 3-4 students, for a virtual Regional Challenge, that includes timed MCQs and short-answer questions.

You are also expected to create a video essay based on each year's theme. If selected for the state and national finals, you will compete with teams from other states for scholarships, interact with scholars and industry leaders, and build on your passion for chemistry.

Dates: The National Challenge will take place on June 13, 2023, deadline for the video submission is on March 6, 2023

Application Deadline: January 31, 2023

Location: The National Challenge will take place in Houston, TX. Regional and state-wise locations may vary. There is also a virtual participation option.

Prizes: Scholarships and awards

Eligibility: All high school students based in the USA are eligible for this challenge

7. USA Biolympiad (USABO)

If you're passionate about studying Biology in college, the USA Biolympiad is one challenge you should sign up for. A highly coveted, highly competitive olympiad with over 10,000 participants each year, the Biolympiad challenges you with activities, and quizzes (you can check out a complete list of topics here ). As a Biolympiad participant, you must first pass the first two rounds, which include timed online exams.

After these rounds, 20 finalists are selected for a residential training program (at Marymount University) in advanced biological concepts and lab skills.

IBO - International Biology Olympiad

After the National Camp, the top 4 USABO finalists are also trained to represent the USA at an international level, at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in the UAE, and compete against teams from 20 countries.

February 2 - Online Open Exam (OE)

March 16 - Semifinal Exam

June 2 - 16 - National Finals

Application Deadline: November 18, 2022

Location: Virtual

Prizes: Medals, awards

Eligibility: All high school students who are US citizens can sign up for the USABO

Tip: Check out a compiled set of biology and STEM resources by the Centre for Excellence in Education here !

8. NSPC Health Science Competition

A program by the Center for Science Teaching & Learning (CSTL), the NSPC Health Science Competition invites experimentation and research on any innovation in the field of medicine .

Open to high-school students, its competition design is a lot like Regeneron's ISEF and invites some of the brightest minds from across the country to participate in teams of up to 3 members. For the first round, you must create a website that covers your research, and results, as well as a discussion and abstract via a presentation, video, digital poster board, etc.

Once your entry is scored by medical professionals and you proceed to Round 2, you will present your research to a panel of judges.

NSPC invites entries across categories such as Behavioral Sciences, Microbiology/Genetics, Medicine/Health, Biochemistry/Biophysics Category, and Computational Biology. Here are submissions from past winners !

Dates: May 18, 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Application Deadline: March 18, 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Location: Round 1 is hosted virtually, while the location for Round 2 is yet to be announced.

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $80,000

Eligibility: Any high school student (or team of students) from Nassau or Suffolk can participate, with a $30 registration fee.

9. National Science Bowl

Organized since 1991, the National Science Bowl is a coveted, highly competitive competition that aims to encourage students to excel in math and science. The Bowl sees 1000+ students participate every year, and tests students on their knowledge of physics, energy, Earth science, chemistry, biology, and math.

To participate, you must participate in regional rounds, which you can look for here. In teams of 4-5 students, you must be the regional winner to be invited to the Science Bowl Finals in Washington D.C.

Dates: Regional Events dates may vary, National Finals are held from April 27 - May 1, 2023.

Application Deadline: Registrations close 3 weeks before the date of the regional event.

Location: Varies from state to state, finals are held in Washington D.C.

Prizes: Cash prizes, scholarships

10. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

One of the most popular competitions amongst budding young scientists, the Regeneron ISEF is the world's biggest pre-college STEM competition.

It invites entries from thousands of high-school students every year. To participate at Regeneron ISEF, you first must participate in a local or regional-level fair, and based on your performance, will then be shortlisted for the ISEF program that calls finalists from all over the country to present their innovations, research, etc. in a hybrid format. ISEF is extremely competitive, with a 2-5% acceptance rate at qualifying fairs.

You participate by presenting original research work that has been going on for no longer than 12 months - be it in the fields of organic, inorganic, material science, etc. Some subcategories you can present your research in Physics for include atomic, molecular, and optical physics, astronomy and cosmology, biological physics, condensed matter and materials, mechanics, and nuclear and particle physics.

Working on physics-related research projects and being a shortlisted finalist to present at ISEF is a prestigious opportunity. The ISEF also provides a great way for you to build a network with like-minded, passionate young students such as yourself.

Tip : We’ve covered everything you need to know about ISEF in this guide !

Dates: Local and regional events take place throughout the year but usually conclude by April. The ISEF Fair will take place from May 13-19, 2023.

Application Deadline: Varies from state to state

Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center - Dallas, Texas

Prizes: Special Awards such as tuition scholarships, summer internships, and scientific trips, as well as cash prizes of up to $75,000

Eligibility: All high-school students with a strong passion for research in science, math, and engineering can apply

11. Regeneron Science Talent Search

If you've carried out independent scientific research and are looking for a platform that helps you develop your research, presentation, and analytical skills, you should consider applying for the Regeneron STS, one of the country's most prestigious science competitions .

STS receives nearly 1900+ applications each year and shortlists about 40 of them to the STS Final in Washington D.C. for a public presentation . Getting shortlisted for this presentation is nothing short of public recognition of your potential when it comes to research in chemistry and is an excellent addition to your resume.

If you're passionate about a career in research in the field of physics, STS is an excellent opportunity for you - winners receive support and sponsorship for future research in as well.

Dates: June 1 - March 14, 2023

Application Deadline: November 9, 2022

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $250,000, and all finalists are awarded a trip to Washington D.C., and are taken on scientific field trips, mentorship sessions, and more as part of their prep program.

Eligibility: All US-based high school seniors can apply

12. Davidson Fellows

A program that looks for the brightest minds in STEM to support and guide, the Davidson Institute hosts its annual Fellows program for high-achieving students. Winning teams are awarded prizes of up to $50,000 to support future research work or academic advancement. To apply for the Fellows Program, you must submit original work that covers any of the following criteria -

an exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge

a new idea with high impact

an innovative solution with broad-range implications

an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon

an interdisciplinary discovery

a prodigious performance

another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment

You must enter in teams of not more than 2 students, and submit work that is at, or close to, college graduate level in terms of depth, understanding of the subject, and quality of presentation.

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2023

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $50,000, the title of a 'Davidson Fellow'.

Eligibility: All high school students under the age of 18, who reside in the US can apply

Tip : The program invites applications across various subjects, you can check out guidelines for science submissions here .

You can also check out competitions such as the AAN Neuroscience Research Prize , National Science Olympiad (which is less subject-specific than the ones we’ve covered in this blog), as well as STEM programs such as MIT THINK Scholars . If you’re looking for more intensive, subject specific competitions for STEM, here’s a comprehensive list of competitions specifically hosted for biology , physics, and chemistry !

Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in doing university-level research in science/STEM subjects then consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research inclusion Foundation , a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology

Ages: High School

Types: Submission, Fair, Presentation

Scope: National

[email protected] 800-323-9084

Participate

The Siemens Foundation established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology in 1999. The Competition is the nation’s premier science research competition for high school students and seeks to promote excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. It fosters intensive research that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines.

Both, submit and present, their projects in a scientific research field. Projects must be of the highest quality of scientific research.

• Scientific importance: Does the project address an important scientific, technical, or mathematical question or major issue? Does the student's work demonstrate a high level of intellectual input, and is it innovative? Do the findings substantially add to the understanding of the area investigated?
• Creativity: Is the project original and imaginative? What is the origin of the student's interest in the topic? Did the student develop new solutions or procedures? To what extent were the student's talent and insight incorporated into the project? How did the student address any surprising or unforeseen developments?
• Field knowledge: Does the student demonstrate strong knowledge of the area of inquiry and the underlying scientific or mathematical issues?
• Comprehensiveness: Are sufficient details given so that others can replicate the work? If the work is experimental, are the variables and controls clearly defined? Did the student use the correct quantitative measures? Are the procedures well-defined? Were tools for measurement and analysis chosen and used appropriately? Does the Research Report fully explain the project itself or is further explanation needed?
• Interpretation: Has the student stated the interpretations and conclusions clearly? How scientifically reasonable and credible are the data, interpretations, and conclusions? Do the conclusions and interpretations follow from the results presented? Are appropriate statistical tests employed, if appropriate? Can claims of novelty or improvement be justified? What are the limits of the interpretations and the conclusions? Are there alternative conclusions that fit the results?
• Literature review: Does the report reference appropriate related works and place the study in a proper context? Are all sources used in the research listed as references? Are the references cited within the text?
• Future work: Is there a discussion of future or follow-up research? If so, what further data would be needed? What are possible applications of the work?
• Clarity of expression: Is the project understandable? Is the material presented logically and coherently? Are the key points, problems, and solutions stated clearly and precisely? Does the student use tables and figures appropriately, including correct labeling of axes? Was the Research Report carefully proofread for spelling and grammar?
• Presentation: Is the method of presentation consistent with the nature of the work and with scientific practice in the discipline involved?
• Teamwork: Is it clear how each member contributed? Was there an appropriate distribution of workload and responsibilities? All team members must have active roles in the design, execution and delivery of results of the research submitted to the Siemens Competition and have made a substantial contribution to the effort.

Website: https://siemenscompetition.discoveryeducation.com/

Managing Organization: Discovery Education

Contact: [email protected] 800-323-9084

Eligibility: The Siemens Competition is open to high school students who are citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States. Students must be in good standing.

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• Student Life

35 Top Science Competitions for High School Students

If you love science — or even if you’re just curious and want to explore STEM subjects — the best science competitions for high school students offer different and exciting ways for teens of all levels and interests to learn and shine!

Science competitions for high school students – more than just science fairs.

When you think of a science competition, your mind may bring up images of an elementary school science fair with play dough volcanos spewing baking soda and vinegar “lava” in school gymnasiums. In reality, high school science competitions are much more sophisticated, engaging, and fun than many students expect!

Science competitions for high school students come in many different forms, offering a wide range of opportunities to learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects or to showcase STEM skills you already have. Whether you love the classic science fair, want to focus on a specific STEM subject, or are looking for an opportunity to innovate and make a real-world impact, there’s a science competition out there for you!

Don’t Be Intimidated by High School Science Competitions! 

You don’t have to be a scientific genius to enter and win science competitions for high school students. Why?

First: There are science competitions for all levels of high school students and, as we explain below, there are many different kinds of competitions. In addition to the traditional “science fair” competition format, there are competitions (such as video, essay, innovation, and building competitions) for teens who may not be interested in doing scientific research. There are even competitions where you learn all the science you need along the way!

Second: While some elite, research-focused science competitions for high school students can be pretty intimidating, we’re going to let you in on a “secret” that most teens don’t know: the students who participate in those competitions get a lot (yes, a lot!) of help from professionals like teachers, scientists, and other mentors, and there are ways that YOU can get help, too!

How? There are many programs and other resources that help students do scientific research for science competitions.  Many of these programs are free (or will even pay students to participate!) AND encourage students from underrepresented groups like Hispanic and Latino/x students to apply. These include science research and mentorship programs and STEM internships , all of which we feature in the Teen Resources section of Lateenz. Interested in learning more? We’ve written a whole article about how Hispanic and Latino/x (and other underrepresented) teens can enter and win science competitions for high school students .

The 6 Types of Science Competitions for High School Students

Science competitions for high school students can be grouped into six categories: (1) Explanation; (2) Research; (3) Knowledge; (4) Writing; (5) Application; and (6) Innovation.

Science Explanation Competitions. These competitions ask students to communicate a scientific concept in an interesting and accessible way, typically through a short video. The goal is for participating students to “learn by teaching” while also spreading their knowledge and enthusiasm for science with other teens.

Science Research Competitions. One of the most well-known types of science competitions for high school students is the science research competition.  These competitions involve students using the scientific method to investigate a question of their choice about the natural world. (The scientific method is a systematic process that includes making observations, formulating a question or hypothesis, conducting research, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.) Students then present their findings either in person (at a science fair, in the form of a project or display) or by submitting a research paper. Science research competitions are usually held at the local, regional, or state level and are organized by schools, science clubs, professional societies, or science industry organizations.

Science Knowledge Competitions. These competitions, also known as olympiads or bowls, are exam-based competitions designed to challenge students’ academic and technical knowledge of various STEM subjects, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science. These competitions are held on a single day or weekend and, in addition to tests, can include a variety of events such as lab experiments and hands-on building activities. They are organized by state and national organizations and held at different levels, from invitational to regional, state, and national. In some cases, national winners go on to compete in international competitions.

Science Writing Competitions. These competitions ask students to explore and comment on an aspect of science’s role in society. Like other types of science competitions, students must understand the scientific principles behind what they are writing about, but they must also go further and analyze, critique, or advocate for an element of science based on how they think it affects the world.

Science Application Competitions. Applied science competitions offer students the chance to demonstrate their skill in the practical, real-world application of a STEM area – usually a form of engineering – such as computer programming, robotics, or rocketry. Because the topics of applied science competitions aren’t typically taught in high schools, these competitions usually involve a learning component guided by a teacher or other adult mentor who supervises a team of students. Applied science competitions are often organized as multi-level tournaments (similar to science knowledge competitions) where the winning teams at each level (regional and state) move on to compete for a national or international title.

Science Innovation Competitions. These competitions are designed to promote innovation and may take the form of hackathons, business plan competitions, or design challenges. The goal is for students to develop and present new ideas, prototypes, or business plans that have the potential to solve real-world problems such as environmental conservation, energy efficiency, or disease/disability.

35 Science Competitions for High School Students, 2023

Here are 35 examples of some of the best and most interesting science competitions for high school students in 2023 . . . plus, if you hang with us to the end, we’re featuring a special BONUS competition that we think is creative and fun. Don’t miss it! 

Science Explanation Competitions

1. American Association of Physics Teachers: AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest

The AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest is an international science competition for high school students. Participants take photos or create picture illustrations of a physics concept or phenomenon and write an explanation. The contest is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Teachers must register for the competition online first, and then they receive instructions and a link to submit the names of the students who will be entering photos. There are two categories (natural photos and contrived photos). Both categories are judged on the quality of the photo and the accuracy of the physics in the explanation that accompanies the photograph. Awards for 1st-3rd place students include $50–$100 and certificates.

• Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
• Focus: Photography, Physics, STEM
• Participation: Submission

2. American Psychological Association: TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

The American Psychological Association: TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students invites students to submit a video (max. 3 minutes) showcasing their understanding of how the results of a published study they have learned about related to psychology have the potential to benefit their school/community and improve people’s lives. Submissions should cover a topic related to social psychology, personality, multiculturalism, gender, motivation, or emotion. Up to 3 winners will receive a $300 scholarship.

• Focus:  Film/Video, Psychology, STEM

3. Breakthrough Junior Challenge

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an international science video contest for young people ages 13-18. Students are asked to explain an important scientific theory, concept, or principle in the fields of physics, mathematics, or life sciences by creating a short video (1 minute and 30 seconds max). One prize will be awarded to the winner of the contest, consisting of – are you ready for this? – (1) a $250,000 college scholarship; (2) $100,000 to the winner’s school for the renovation or addition of a science lab; and (3) $50,000 to a teacher selected by the winner. WOW!

• Grades: (Ages 13–18)
• Focus: Biology, Film/Video, Mathematics, Media, Physics, STEM

4. National Eye Institute: Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest

The National Eye Institute: Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest is a video contest sponsored by The National Institutes of Health and is open to teens currently living in the U.S. Students are invited to create a video about why science is important in 1 of 3 categories: science in your world, science in the field or lab, or science in your future. Videos must be between 30 seconds and 3 minutes long. Submissions can be made by individuals or groups of up to 3 people. First-place winners in each category will receive $2,000 cash and a trip to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland for a day of science, networking, and fun. Videos will be judged on scientific context and accuracy, relevance, engagement, creativity, and level of effort, with bonus points for videos that are eye-health or vision science related or that focus (pun intended!) on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Submissions are encouraged from populations that are underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences research enterprise, which includes individuals from racial and ethnic groups and/or those with disabilities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Grades: (Ages 13–19)
• Focus: Film/Video, STEM
• Outreach: Black, Disability, Economically Disadvantaged, Hispanic or Latino/x, Underrepresented

Science Research Competitions

5. American Academy of Neurology – Neuroscience Research Prize

The American Academy of Neurology – Neuroscience Research Prize is an award designed to encourage high school students to do original research and help solve problems related to the brain and nervous system. To apply, students must submit a completed application form, a 300-word abstract, a research report, and a bibliography. Four winners receive a $1,000 prize, and three winners and their teachers get the opportunity to present their work at the AAN Annual Meeting in Boston, MA. One winner and their teacher will present their work at the 2023 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting.

• Focus: Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Medicine, STEM

6. Biotechnology Institute: BioGENEius Challenge

The Biotechnology Institute: BioGENEius Challenge gives high school students the opportunity to compete and be recognized for outstanding research in biotechnology in one of three different categories: healthcare, agricultural sustainability, and environmental protection. Students begin by entering the At-Large or Local BioGENEius Challenges, depending on whether their state has a local challenge. Information on how and where to compete in each state is provided on the competition website.

• Focus: Agriculture, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Environment, Medicine, STEM
• Participation: In Person, Submission

7. Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship

The Davidson Institute Fellows Scholarship is a science competition for high school students that awards scholarships of $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 to high-achieving students who have completed a significant piece of work in categories such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Eligible applicants must be 18 or younger as of the application deadline, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be able to attend the awards reception in September in Washington, D.C. Teams of two are allowed, and the scholarship money will be split evenly between team members. This competition is looking for students whose projects are at, or close to, the college graduate level with a depth of knowledge in their particular area of study.

• Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 (must be 18 or younger)
• Focus: STEM

8. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National Competition

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) National Competition (JSHS) is a multilevel (regional and national) competition where high school students (grades 9-12) present their STEM projects before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Students also get access to hands-on workshops, panel discussions, career exploration, research lab visits, and networking. Students compete in eight categories: Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Medicine & Health/Behavioral Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences, and Chemistry. The JSHS experience starts with a Regional Symposium. JSHS Regions cover all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Schools in Europe and the Pacific. Students are expected to compete in their home region. Winners at the regional level move on to the national competition. Prizes include recognition, scholarships, and connection to future research opportunities through other STEM programs and networks with university and industry professionals. Please note that only the students who are citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) of the United States can receive the scholarship.

• Focus: Biology, Biomedicine, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environment, Geosciences, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, STEM, Technology

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT THINK Scholars Program

The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a competition designed to motivate U.S. high school students to come up with a creative idea for a new STEM research project and then help the students complete the research. This competition is different from most research competitions because it doesn’t require students to have a finished project. Instead, this competition asks students to submit proposals for a new research project in any area of science, technology, or engineering. Selected finalists then get up to $1,000 to work on their projects and have weekly mentorship meetings with THINK team members for technical guidance, helpful resources, and progress updates. Finalists are also invited to a four-day all-expenses paid trip to MIT’s campus, where they tour labs, present their research to MIT students and faculty, and hang out with members of the THINK team. Finalists who successfully complete their projects are given the title of MIT THINK Scholars.

• Focus: Engineering, Mentoring, Science, STEM, Technology

10. NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery Health Science Competition

The NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery Health Science Competition is for 9th-12th grade students from Nassau/Suffolk Counties in New York. Teams of 1–3 students are eligible to participate by experimenting and testing any innovation in health science. The competition has two rounds. In Round One, teams submit a website with a digital poster, 8-minute video, abstract, etc. that is judged by regional medical professionals. In Round Two, the top 10 teams present their research in person to judges. $80,000 in score-based awards are available for students.

• Focus: Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Medicine, STEM

11. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is arguably the most prestigious science competition for high school students in grades 9–12 from around the world. As its name suggests, the ISEF has a science fair-type format, but, unlike other science fairs, students can’t just register to compete. Instead, students must start by participating in local/school science fairs and advance to an ISEF-affiliated fair. From there, promising students must be invited by Regeneron to participate at the ISEF. To be clear, this is not a competition that students can do on their own. To have any shot of being invited to the ISEF (and to win), the vast majority of students need and get help from a professional scientist who agrees to act as their mentor and support their research. Over 1,800 students are invited to participate in ISEF each year. The winner receives a $75,000 award, second and third place each receive $50,000, and there are additional prizes ranging from $3,000 to $500. ISEF is considered the most competitive science fair in the U.S. and, even if you don’t win an award, just being chosen to compete is very impressive. As you might expect, this competition is challenging and requires significant time and effort, but it’s worth it!

• Participation: In Person

12. Regeneron Science Talent Search

Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is another very prestigious Regeneron science competition for high school students who perform original research. STS is different from the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in that: (1) it’s for U.S. high school seniors only; (2) it’s not an in-person science fair-type competition — students submit research papers instead; and (3) this competition judges the whole student (academics and extracurriculars) in addition to just their submitted research. To compete, students are required to submit a written research paper about their work and an application that provides submission information about their academic interests and performance and their extracurriculars. STS is judged on the quality of the research but also on academic ability and the student’s potential to become a scientific leader in the future. Three hundred scholars are awarded $2,000; with an additional $2,000 going to their high schools to support STEM education. The top 300 scholars will also receive an invitation to apply to Regeneron’s summer internship program. All 40 finalists win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for the Regeneron Science Talent Institute, where they explain their research to some of the country’s top scientists and compete for the top 10 awards. The top award is $250,000. Like the Regeneron ISEF, to have any shot at winning this competition, the vast majority of students need a professional mentor who agrees to help and support their research. (But remember – you can get help from a professional mentor , too!)

13. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is a prestigious international award for high school students who have conducted water-related science projects. The competition is open to public, private, or independent high school students in grades 9–12, who have reached the age of 15 by Aug. 1 of the competition year and have conducted water-related science projects. Teams of up to two students may enter. Projects should be aimed at enhancing the quality of life through the improvement of water quality, water resources management, or water and wastewater treatment. The entries are judged based on six different criteria: relevance, creativity, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, and report and presentation. The national winner of the competition will represent the U.S. in the international competition.

• Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 (min. age 15)
• Focus: Aquatic Science, STEM

Science Knowledge Competitions

14. American Association of Physics Teachers: Physics Bowl Contest

The Physics Bowl Contest is a science competition for high school students focused on physics, where teams from different schools compete against each other at the regional level. The test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes. The exam covers topics taught in high school physics courses, with two divisions for first and second-year physics students to encourage award distribution. Approximately 10,000 students participate in the contest each year.

• Focus: Physics, STEM

15. Envirothon

The National Conservation Foundation Envirothon is an environmental and natural resource education program and science competition for high school students across the United States, Canada, and China. It involves in-class learning and outdoor field experiences, followed by an academic competition for scholarships, prizes, and recognition. The first-place team from each participating state, province, and country attends the NCF-Envirothon annual international competition, hosted in a different location each year. During the competition, student teams are tested on their knowledge of five subject areas (aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land use, wildlife, and an additional current environmental issue), do lab work, and also give an oral presentation. This competition emphasizes oral communication (speaking) skills and the application of knowledge to real-world environmental and natural resource issues.

• Focus: Aquatic Science, Ecology, Environment, STEM

16. National Science Bowl

The National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition run by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that tests middle and high school students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Teams of four students, one alternate, and a teacher-advisor participate in a fast-paced question-and-answer format. The high school questions cover seven categories at a college freshman level: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, energy, mathematics, and physics. (The middle school questions are in life science, physical science, earth and space science, energy, and mathematics.) Over 9,000 high school and 5,000 middle school students compete in 65 high school and 50 middle school regional tournaments each year. The DOE Office of Science sponsors the national finals competition.

• Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
• Focus:  Aeronautics, Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, Mathematics, Physics, STEM

17. Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a science competition for middle school (Division B) and high school (Division C) students. Teams of up to 15 students compete in Regional, State, and National events, which cover 23 different areas of science. Team members are assigned 3–4 events and prepare for competitions by regularly meeting for each event with their teammates and event coach. There are two types of events: study events (preparing for a test) and building events (hands-on building of projects). Most schools have a meeting once a week for each event, making Science Olympiad a significant time commitment. The goal of all this preparation is, of course, the Science Olympiad competitions, which are held on college campuses and consist of 4 levels: Invitationals, Regionals, State, and Nationals.

• Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
• Focus: Science, STEM

18. USA Biology Olympiad 

The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is a biology competition for U.S. high school students. It’s held annually and consists of four rounds of exams: Open Exam, Semifinal Exam, National Finals Exam, and the International Biology Olympiad. Eligible students must be in grades 9–12, attend a USABO-registered school (ask your biology teacher if your school is registered), and be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The competition is open to all students interested in biology (no formal coursework is required), but this competition is probably better for students who have completed at least one biology course and are willing to teach themselves more advanced concepts and information. The top four winners in the National Finals are invited to represent the U.S. in the International Biology Olympiad.

• Focus: Biology, STEM

19. U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-tiered chemistry competition for U.S. high school students sponsored by the American Chemical Society. Students interested in competing must work with their high school chemistry teacher who registers the school to participate in the program. Nearly 16,000 students participate in advancing rounds of local chemistry Olympiad competitions. Top-scoring students at the end of those rounds move on to the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, which consists of three parts: a 90-minute multiple-choice exam, a 105-minute written exam, and a 90-minute laboratory practical. The top 20 students at the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad are invited to attend a study camp, where the best four students are chosen to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad. To participate, students must be US citizens or permanent residents, graduating high school no earlier than May 1st of the competition year, and under 20 years old on July 1st. Up to two students from each high school can participate.

• Focus: Chemistry, STEM

Science Writing Competitions

20. American Society of Human Genetics: Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

The American Society of Human Genetics: Annual DNA Day Essay Contest is open to students in grades 9–12 worldwide. This contest asks students to examine, question, and write about a specific topic related to genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments that indicate a deep understanding of scientific concepts related to the essay question. Essays must be written by one individual student; group submissions are not permitted. Essays must be in English and no more than 750 words. Winning essays are published on the ASHG’s website, and the winners also receive cash prizes: First Place — $1,000; Second Place — $600; Third Place — $400; Honorable Mention — 10 prizes of $100.

• Focus: Essay, Genomics, STEM, Writing

21. EngineerGirl Essay Contest

The EngineerGirl Essay Contest asks students to write an essay on an annual topic dealing with engineering and its impact on the world. The contest is open to individual students in the following three competition categories: Elementary School Students (grades 3–5), Middle School Students (grades 6–8), or High School Students (grades 9–12). Judges include professionals from various engineering fields. Essays are judged on how well written and persuasive they are, as well as how well they demonstrate engineering’s positive and essential role in society, and why engineering needs unique and diverse perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds. Extra credit may be given for outstanding originality, creative presentation, or particularly engaging examples. 1st place wins $500, 2nd place wins $250, and 3rd place wins $100. Winning entries (including honorable mentions) are published on the EngineerGirl website.

• Focus: Engineering, Essay, STEM, Writing

22. Genome Medical: Force for Good Essay Contest

The Genome Medical: Force for Good Essay Contest is for U.S. high school sophomores or juniors who identify as a member of one or more underrepresented populations based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, country of origin, culture, language, religion, spiritual beliefs, health history, disability, financial hardship, and/or others. Students are asked to write about a changing topic related to genetics or genomics and submit their essays online in English. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards of $2500, $1000, and $500, respectively, to go to the winning essays which are picked by a diverse essay review committee made up of both clinical genetic and genomic healthcare providers and non-clinical employees of Genome Medical. Winners also receive public congratulations and their essays are posted on social media.

• Grades: 10, 11
• Focus: Essay, Genomics
• Outreach: Black, Disability, Economically Disadvantaged, ESL, Female, Hispanic and Latino/x, LGBTQIA+, Underrepresented (All)

23. New York Times STEM Writing Contest

The New York Times STEM Writing Contest invites middle and high school students (ages 11–19) to write a 500-word explanation of a science, technology, engineering, math, or health-related topic that interests them. Each essay should include an engaging hook, quotes from experts and research, and an explanation of why the topic matters in terms of its relevance to the field, the world, and our lives. Winning essays are published in The New York Times.

• Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 11-19)
• Focus: Essay, STEM

Science Application Competitions

24. American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge gives U.S. middle and high school students hands-on experience solving engineering problems through the design, build, and launch of model rockets. (There are also competitions for marketing and explaining rocketry.) Teams of 3–10 students (grades 6–12) compete against hundreds of teams nationally for the chance to win $100,000 in prizes. Teams must be supervised by an adult approved by the principal of the school, or by an officially-appointed adult leader of a youth organization. What if you don’t know much about rocketry? The American Rocketry Challenge features a nationwide network of aerospace professionals and rocketry experts from the National Association of Rocketry and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (listed on the website!) who are willing and available to mentor your team. These mentors can help with organizing, rocket building, and career pathway exploration.

• Focus: Aeronautics, Engineering, Marketing, STEM

25. Best Robotics Competition

In the Best Robotics Competition , school-based teams of high school students (and middle students) compete against each other to build robots on a real-time basis using a provided “kit” of materials. The robots must navigate obstacles and perform specific tasks (which are kept secret until the day of the competition) on a 24-square-foot field. There are rounds of competitions to determine the winners in 5 categories as well as an overall winner (the best score in all 5 categories).

• Focus: Robotics, STEM

26. FIRST Robotics Competition

The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual program for high school students that challenges teams to design, build, and program industrial-size robots to play a field game in alliance with other teams. Teams must also fundraise, design a team brand and promote STEM in the community. Mentors and volunteers guide each team, and the season culminates in district and regional events and the FIRST Championship. The program welcomes all skill levels and offers opportunities to collaborate, compete, use cutting-edge technology, solve problems, and be exposed to new ideas and scholarships. Events include Kickoff, District and Regional events, the FIRST Championship, and Off-Season events.

27. Rube Goldberg Machine Contests

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest® is a STEM competition open to individuals or teams of all ages. It challenges students to make interesting machines out of found or discarded household items. The machines can be any size and must complete a specific task. Students take videos of their machines in action for submission. There are also 2 variations of this contest: The Rube Goldberg Cartoon Contest® (where students draw cartoons of a Rube Goldberg machine) and The Rube Goldberg Minecraft Challenge® (where students in grades 3–12 create a virtual Rube Goldberg machine on Minecraft). Prizes include Visa gift cards, Rube swag, trophies, and being showcased on social media.

• Focus: Art, Engineering, Fine Art, Information Technology, STEM

28. TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)

TEAMS is an annual, multilevel (state and national) STEM competition that gives middle and high school students (grades 7–12) the opportunity to work together on a theme-based engineering challenge. Students participate in teams of 2–4 members plus an adult coach. The competition has three components: (1) Design/Build: Using designated materials, teams complete a hands-on design challenge related to the annual competition theme; (2) Multiple Choice: teams answer multiple choice questions on four engineering scenarios related to the annual competition theme; and (3) Essay: each team researches and writes an in-depth essay related to the competition theme (submitted electronically prior to the in-person part of the competition). Teams are split into two divisions: 9th/10th-grade level and 11th/12th-grade level. Students that win at the state level advance to the national TEAMS competition. There is a fee to compete of $150 per team and $100 per additional team registered at the same school.

• Focus: Engineering, Essay, STEM, Writing

29. Zero Robotics Competition

The Zero Robotics Competition is a robotics programming competition run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Student teams remotely program SPHERES satellites inside the International Space Station (ISS) to solve an annual challenge. The competition starts online, and finalists are selected to compete in a live championship where an astronaut conducts the competition aboard the ISS. There are two types of tournaments: the High School Tournament for students in grades 9–12, which takes place from September to December, and the Middle School Summer Program, a 5-week program for younger students. The tournament objectives are to win a technically challenging game by programming the SPHERES satellites to complete game objectives while conserving resources and staying within specified time and code-size limits.

• Grades : 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
• Participation: Submission and In Person

Science Innovation Competitions

30. Biomimicry Institute: Youth Design Challenge

The Biomimicry Institute: Youth Design Challenge is a team competition for students in middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12). Working with an adult coach, student teams choose an environmental or social problem. The teams then work together to apply biomimicry to address the chosen issue, by studying how organisms in nature have adapted to similar problems and applying that knowledge to create innovative solutions. The final project can be entered into a nationwide competition, where prizes are awarded by the Biomimicry Institute. First, second, and third place award winners as well as honorable mentions are selected in middle school and high school categories, and winning teams have their work featured online. Students don’t need to have experience with biomimicry to participate. The Challenge provides resources and training opportunities, including access to lesson plans, to help the teams and their coaches.

31. Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge is an international competition for students aged 13–18 that encourages them to apply science, technology, and innovation to solve global problems. Participants form teams of 2–5 students and go through four stages: Activation, Lean Canvas, Innovation, and Power Pitch. The competition aims to develop students’ collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. Teams compete for awards and recognition, with the best teams named Pete Conrad Scholars. Competition categories include Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, Transforming Education Through Technology, and Smoke-Free World. In the final stage, the Innovation Summit, teams present their projects to a panel of expert judges.

• Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 13–18)
• Participation: In-Person, Submission

32. Exploravision

Toshiba ExploraVision is a science competition for K-12 students of all interest, skill, and ability levels. Students work in groups of 2–4 guided by a team coach and optional mentor to research a current technology.  They explore what the technology does, how it works, and how, when, and why it was invented.  The students then try to imagine what that same technology could look like 10 or more years in the future, and determine what scientific breakthroughs need to occur to make it a reality. First prize winners receive $10,000 in US EE savings bonds, second prize winners receive $5,000, national finalists receive a trip to Washington DC for the awards weekend, regional winners receive a Chromebook and awards ceremony, and honorable mentions receive a unique prize and certificate. Coaches of winning teams receive trips, Chromebooks, certificates, and gifts, and schools of regional winners receive technology or science-related gifts.

• Focus: STEM, Technology

33. Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior

The Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior is an international competition for students aged 13–18. Participants learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.  They then apply these technologies to come up with a concept or idea to make a difference in the world. Teams of 1–6 students are led by a Team Leader (such as a teacher or mentor). Microsoft provides access to Azure for Students (to help teams build prototypes) and Minecraft: Education Edition (for lessons on AI). The competition includes resources like a Beginners Kit, Deep Learning Modules, and a Team Leader Toolkit. Teams submit their projects through a PowerPoint template and a video. The top ten teams receive trophies and prizes.

• Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 13–18)
• Focus: Computer Science, STEM, Technology

34. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a $2 million national technology competition for public schools grades 6–12. Teams of students work with a teacher-advisor to create and showcase a project that uses STEM skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world issues in their local communities. Students can win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes.

35. Spellman Clean Tech Competition

The Spellman Clean Tech Competition is a global research and design challenge for high school students between the ages of 15–18. Students identify an environmental or resource issue they want to change and design a sustainable solution using clean technology. In the first round of the competition, teams must submit an electronic paper outlining the problem they have identified and proposing a clean technology solution. The top 30 teams are selected as semifinalists, and the top 10 are named as finalists and invited to the second round of the competition. In the second round, finalists create a prototype of their solution using a $200 stipend and participate in a live judging event. There are 10 cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $7,000, and the first-place team receives continued mentorship to develop their winning idea.

• Focus: Engineering, STEM

Hey, there – you made it to the BONUS Competition!

As promised, because you stuck with us to the end of this list, we’re letting you in on a really cool and fun competition that we came across. This competition is a bit “non-traditional” and falls somewhere between Science Application and Science Innovation competitions (and is less intense than the Biomimicry Institute Youth Design Challenge), but it’s just so awesome that we wanted to highlight it.  The competition ran in 2022 and they’re bringing it back for 2023, so start designing NOW!!

36. The Natural Robotics Contest    

The Natural Robotics Contest is an opportunity for anyone to have their idea for a bioinspired robot turned into a reality. If you’ve ever watched an animal (or plant!) do something cool and thought “Why can’t we do it that way?”, this is the competition for you. A team of robotics researchers (affiliated with some major European universities) is hosting a design competition for students all over the world to submit their ideas for robots inspired by nature. The key to winning is to let your imagination run wild (pun intended)! If you watch the video below, you’ll see that the “designs” don’t have to be complex blueprints or schematics — these researchers are just looking for a great idea and a basic description and drawing that explains it. There’s no cash prize, but the best ideas will be posted on their website and the researchers will make a working model of the winning design!  How awesome is that?!

• Focus: Art, Design, Engineering, Robotics, STEM

Want to See More? Check Out the Lateenz Teen Resources catalog of High School Internships , Programs , Competitions, and Scholarships

This is just a small sample of the many competitions you can find in our database. And, even if you’re not interested in competing, there are many programs and internships that offer more great opportunities in STEM and other areas! Be sure to check them out!

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The Oxford Scientist

The University of Oxford's independent science magazine

Schools Science Writing Competition 2023

The 2023 Oxford Scientist Competition, which was more competitive and rewarding than ever, featured 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 was proudly organised by the Oxford Scientist team and led by the Competition Leads Franziska Guenther and Gavin Man.

We are delighted to announce the winners and runners-up for the 2023 Schools Science Writing Competition.

The overall winner of the competition is ‘ The wheels on the bus… return of the flywheel ‘ by Joseph Lailey, Sandringham School.

Year 12-13 winner is ‘ bacteria: taking a bite out of climate change ‘ by isabel hubbard, abbey school, reading., year 10-11 winner is ‘ has scientific visibility come with greater skepticism or support ‘ by mariam elalfy, wolverhampton girls high school., overall winner, joseph lailey.

Sandringham School.

The wheels on the bus… return of the flywheel

Year 12-13 winner

Isabel hubbard.

Abbey School, Reading.

Bacteria: Taking a bite out of climate change

Year 10-11 winner

Mariam elalfy.

Wolverhampton Girls High School.

Has scientific visibility come with greater skepticism or support?

‘How has Covid-19 changed public perception of Science? ‘ by Abira Prasad, The Tiffin Girls’ School.

‘ Geoengineering: The Ethical Dilemma of Climate Science ‘ by Aoife Oliver, St James’ Catholic High School.

‘ Has COVID-19 changed public perception of Science? ‘ by Leonardo Mercado, Radley College.

‘ Climate change denial: cause for concern? ‘ by Milly Kanagasabay, Guildford High School.

‘The path to save the world is a bleak one’ by Michael Coleman, St Augustine’s Catholic Sixth Form.

‘ Climate Change: Complicated Science, Complex Solutions?’ by Matt Fitchie, RGS Guildford.

Dr Sir Peter Ratcliffe

Peter J. Ratcliffe , M.D. is a physician scientist who trained as a nephrologist, before founding the hypoxia biology laboratory at Oxford. His laboratory elucidated mechanisms by which human and animal cells sense oxygen levels and transduce these signals to direct adaptive changes in gene expression. For this work he shared the  Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2019 .

He holds appointments as Director of Clinical Research at the Francis Crick Institute, London, and is a Distinguished Scholar of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Oxford.

But it’s not all hard work: this year he took part in an episode of Master Chef and attended the King’s Coronation.

Dr Anna Murgatroyd

Dr Anna Murgatroyd is a research associate at the Environmental Change Institute in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on making sure we have access to safe and reliable water, both now and in the future. She has experience modelling water systems, examining the vulnerability of water supplies to climate change and changing demand. She also investigates potential new water supply infrastructure, demand management schemes, operating policies and regulatory rules, working closely with the Environment Agency and OFWAT.

Dr Darragh O’Brien

Dr Darragh O’Brien is a senior researcher in Translational Proteomics at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, where he utilizes biological mass spectrometry approaches to characterize and decipher mechanisms of human disease. His interests lie in how protein structural disorder and modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination relate to protein function and disease, with a specific focus on neurodegeneration. He obtained his PhD in Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, which was supervised by Professor Sir Simon Lovestone, where he developed quantitative proteomic strategies for the discovery and validation of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition, Dr O’Brien has held research positions at Institut Pasteur in Paris and University College London. In his spare time, Darragh is an avid reader, and enjoys supporting his native Ireland in rugby.

Dr Hannah Jones

Dr Hannah Jones studied her PhD at the University of Bath in biophysics, on the thermodynamics of enzyme catalysis. Since 2019 she has worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oxford, within the Nuffield Department of Medicine. There, she applies mass spectrometry based proteomics to investigate a potential drug target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

25 Best Writing Competitions for High School Students – 2024

April 12, 2024

Over the past several years, the number of college applicants has been steadily rising. [i] As college admissions become more competitive, there are many steps a student can take to achieve high school success and become an outstanding candidate for college admissions: earning high SAT scores, securing strong letters of recommendation , and participating in various competitions will all boost your admissions prospects. [ii] In particular, writing competitions for high school students are a popular way to win scholarships and prize money, receive feedback on writing, build a portfolio of public work, and add to college application credentials!

Below, we’ve selected twenty-five writing competitions for high school students and sorted them by three general topics: 1) language, literature and arts, 2) STEM, environment and sustainability, and 3) politics, history and philosophy. It’s never too soon to begin thinking about your future college prospects, and even if you are a freshman, many of these writing competitions for high schoolers will be open to you! [iii]

Writing Competitions for High School Students in Language, Literature, and Arts

1) adroit prizes for poetry and prose.

This prestigious creative writing award offers high school students the opportunity to showcase their work in Adroit Journal . Judges are acclaimed writers in their respective genres.

• Eligibility: All high school students (including international students) are eligible to apply. Poetry contestants may submit up to five poems. Prose contestants may submit up to three pieces of fiction or nonfiction writing (for a combined total of 3,500 words – excerpts accepted).
• Prize: Winners will receive $200 and their writing will be published in Adroit Journal . All submitted entries will be considered for publication!
• Deadline: May 1st (specific deadline may vary by year).

2)  Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

This unique essay competition allows writers the chance to explore and respond to Ayn Rand’s fascinating and polemic 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged . Specific essay topics are posted every three months; prizes are granted seasonally with a grand prize winner announced every year.

• Prize: Annual grand prize is $25,000.
• Deadline: Deadlines occur every season, for each seasonal prompt.
• Eligibility: Essays must be written in English and be 800-1,600 words in length.

Writing Competitions for High School Students (Continued)

3)  the bennington young writers awards.

Through Bennington College, this high school writing competition offers three prizes in three different genre categories: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Winners and finalists who decide to attend Bennington College will ultimately receive a substantial scholarship prize.

• Eligibility: U.S. and international students in grades 9 through 12 may apply.
• Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place wins $500; third place winners receive $250. YWA winners who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington receive a $15,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $60,000). YWA finalists who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington will receive a $10,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $40,000).
• Deadline: The competition runs annually from September 1st to November 1st.

4)  Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Student Essay Contest

Do you love Jane Austen? If so, this is the high school writing competition for you! With the JASNA Student Essay Contest, high school students have the opportunity to write a six to eight-page essay about Jane Austen’s works, focused on a specific, designated topic for the competition year.

• Eligibility: Any high school student (homeschooled students also eligible) enrolled during the contest year may submit an essay.
• Prize: First place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and two nights’ lodging for the upcoming annual JASNA meeting. Second place wins a $500 scholarship and third place wins a $250 scholarship. All winners will additionally receive a year membership in JASNA, the online publication of their article, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.
• Deadline: Submission accepted from February-June 1st (specific dates may vary by year).

5)  The Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program

Young aspiring writers with disabilities are encouraged to apply to this unique program. Students are asked to submit a ten-minute play script that explores any topic, including the student’s own disability experience.

• Eligibility: U.S. and international high school students with disabilities ages 14-19 may apply.
• Prize: Multiple winners will receive exclusive access to professional development and networking opportunities at The Kennedy Center.
• Deadline: January (specific deadline date may vary by year).

6)  Leonard M. Milburg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

Through Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts, this prestigious writing competition for high school students recognizes outstanding poetry writing and is judged by creative writing faculty at Princeton University.

• Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Applicants may submit up to three poems.
• Prize: First place wins $1,500; second place wins $750; third place wins $500.
• Deadline: November (specific deadline date may vary by year).

7)  Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Nancy Thorp was a student at Hollins University who showed great promise as a poet. After her death, her family established this scholarship to support budding young poets.

• Eligibility: Female high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Prize: First place wins $350 and publication in Cargoes literary magazine, along with a $5,000 renewable scholarship (up to $20,000 over four years) if the student enrolls in Hollins University, and free tuition and housing for Hollins University’s summer creative writing program (grades 9-12). Second place wins publication in Cargoes, along with a $1,000 renewable scholarship ($4,000 over four years) if the student enrolls at Hollins and $500 to apply toward Hollins’ summer creative writing program.
• Deadline: October (specific deadline date may vary by year).

8)  National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing

Students may be nominated by their English teachers to win this prestigious writing award. Winners “exhibit the power to inform and move an audience through language” and prompts and genres may vary by competition year.

• Prize: A certificate will be awarded to students who are judged to have exceptional writing skills. Student names will be displayed on the NCTE website.
• Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors are eligible for nomination.
• Deadline: February (specific dates may vary by year). Contest prompts released in August.

9)  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

At Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, numerous opportunities for scholarships and awards await those who submit writing in various genres: literary criticism, drama, poetry, and fiction. In all, there are 28 generic categories of art and writing to choose from!

• Eligibility: Teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) may apply.
• Prize: Various types of recognition and scholarships (up to $12,500) are offered for these award winners.
• Deadline: Scholastic Awards opens for entries in September; deadlines range from December to January.

10)  National Society of High School Scholars Creative Writing Scholarship

In this creative writing competition for high schoolers, students have the opportunity to submit a piece poetry or fiction (or both – one in each category!) for the opportunity to be published on the NSHSS website and win a monetary prize.

• Eligibility: Rising high school students graduating in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 may apply.
• Prize: There will be three $2,000 awards for the fiction category and three $2,000 awards for the poetry category.
• Deadline: Submissions Accepted from May to October (specific dates may vary by year).

11)  National Writing Award: The Humanities and a Freer Tomorrow

This writing competition allows high school students the chance to be nominated by a teacher for a piece of writing in response to Ruth J. Simmons’ “Facing History to Find a Better Future.” Specific prompt topics may vary by year.

• Eligibility: Nominating teachers can submit work from 11th and 12th graders in one category (fiction, poetry, prose, or essay).
• Prize: One top prize of $1,000. Four additional prizes of $500 each. Winners will have the opportunity to have their work published by NCTE.
• Deadline: Applications are open September to October (specific dates may vary by year).

12)  New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award

Although this prestigious award isn’t exclusively for high schoolers (anyone younger than 35 may submit a work of fiction), if you’ve written a collection of short stories or even a novel, you should certainly consider applying!

• Eligibility: Any writer below the age of 35 may submit a novel or collection of short stories to participate in this competition.
• Prize: $10,000 award.
• Deadline: September (specific date may vary by year).

13)  Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest

This writing competition for high school students awards three annual top prizes for the best ten-minute play. Play submissions are judged each year by an acclaimed guest playwright.

• Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Students may submit one play entry; entries must be ten pages or less. Plays must be written in English.
• Prize: First place prize is $500; second place is $250; third place is $100.
• Deadline: Varies by year. However, students are recommended to submit before the deadline date – the submission portal will close when a maximum of 250 applicants have applied.

14)  YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

In this exciting writing competition, students have the chance to submit an original play script for a play of around 10-40 minutes in length. An excellent competition choice for any student considering a future in the theatre!

• Eligibility: Prospective authors ages 19 and under may submit a script for consideration in the competition. See specific writing guidelines here .
• Prize: First prize wins $250 and publication with YouthPLAYS; second prize wins $100.
• Deadline: Submissions run from January 1st to May 1st.

STEM, Environment, and Sustainability High School Writing Competitions

15)  engineergirl essay contest.

This wonderful essay contest invites students to explore topics related to engineering and science. Each year a new, specific prompt will be chosen for young writers who wish to compete.

• Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Previous winners and close family members of employees of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are not eligible.
• Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place receives $750; third place receives $500.
• Deadline: Competition opens in September and submissions are due February 1st of the following year. Winners are announced in the summer.

16)  Ocean Awareness Contest

The Ocean Awareness Contest is an opportunity for students to create written and artistic projects that explore sustainability, environmentalism, and positive change. High school freshmen (up to age 14) may apply to the Junior Division. Students ages 15-18 may enter the Senior Division.

• Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 may apply (international students included).
• Prize: Monetary prizes ranging from $100-$1000 will be awarded each year. Additionally, $500 will be awarded to ten students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latino via the We All Rise Prize program.
• Deadline: June 10, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

17)  Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder / Sense of Wild Contest

If you are interested in issues of sustainability, environment, biology and the natural world, this is one of the high school writing competitions that is just for you! Essay prompts explore the natural world and our place within it and may include poetry, essays, and photography.

• Eligibility: Students must pair with an adult from a different generation (e.g. parent, grandparent or teacher – contestants need not be related). Entries must be submitted as a team.
• Prize: Winners will receive a certificate from RCLA; their first names, ages, and entry titles will be posted on the RCLA website.
• Deadline: November 16th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

18)  River of Words Competition

This writing competition for high school students is another top choice for those thinking of pursuing majors or careers in biology, environment, and sustainability; this specific contest hopes to promote positive education in sustainability by “promoting environmental literacy through the arts and cultural exchange.”

• Eligibility: Any U.S. or international student from kindergarten through 12th grade may apply.
• Prize: Winners will be published in the River of Words
• Deadline: January (specific deadline may vary by year).

Writing Competitions for High School Students in Politics, History and Philosophy

19)  american foreign service association essay contest.

With this writing competition for high school students, entrants may submit essays ranging from 1,000-1,500 words about diplomacy, history, and international politics (specific prompts vary by year).

• Eligibility: Students in grades nine through twelve may apply. Students whose parents are in the Foreign Service Association are not eligible.
• Prize: The first-place winner will receive $2,500, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and the winner’s parents, and an all-expense paid voyage via Semester at Sea. The second-place winner receives $1,250 and full tuition for a summer session at the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.
• Deadline: Early spring (specific deadline may vary by year).

20)  Bill of Rights Institute We the Students Essay Contest

In this writing competition for high school students, civic-minded U.S. high schoolers may explore the principles and virtues of the Bill of Rights Institute. Interested applicants should review the specific submission guidelines .

• Eligibility: Any high school student aged 13 to 19 may apply.
• Prize: Prizes range from $1,500 to $10,000.
• Deadline: Submissions for 2024 due May 19th (specific deadline may vary by year).

21)  JFK Presidential Library and Museum Profile in Courage Essay Contest

For students interested in history and political science, this competition offers the chance to write about U.S. elected officials who have demonstrated political courage.

• Eligibility: U.S. high school students from grades 9-12 may apply.
• Prize: First prize is $10,000; second prize receives $3,000; five finalists receive $1,000 each; ten semifinalists receive $100 each; eight students receive honorable mention.
• Deadline: Submissions accepted from September to January (specific deadline may vary by year).
• Sample Essays: 2000-2023 Contest Winner Essays

22)  John Locke Institute Essay Competition

This essay competition is for students who would like to write about and cultivate “independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style” from one of seven intellectual categories: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology or law.

• Eligibility: Students from any country may submit an essay.
• Prize: $2,000 for each subject category winner toward a John Locke Institute program; winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.
• Deadline: Registration must be completed by May 31st, 2024; essay submission due June 30th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

23)  Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association Essay Contest

This exciting writing competition for high schoolers allows students to explore topics related to journalism, democracy and media literacy. Specific prompts will be provided for contestants each year.

• Eligibility: All U.S. students from grades 9-12 may submit original writing to participate in this contest.
• Prize: First-place winners will receive $1,000; second place is awarded $500; third place receives $300.
• Deadline: February (specific deadline may vary by year).

24)  Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Youth Scholarship Essay

This audio essay allows high school students the opportunity to “express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriot-themed recorded essay.” One winner will be granted a $35,000 scholarship to be paid toward their university, college, or vocational school of choice. Smaller prizes range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner in each VFW state wins $1,000.

• Prize: College scholarships range from $1,000-$35,000
• Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 may submit a 3-5-minute audio essay.
• Deadline: October 31st
• Sample Written Essay: 2023-2024 Prize-winning essay by Sophia Lin

25)  World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition recognizes young scholars who explore world historical events and how they relate to the student scholar personally. Ultimately the student writer must describe “the experience of being changed by a better understanding of world history.”

• Eligibility: Internationally, students ages K-12 may submit an entry. See specific prompt and submission guidelines for writing instructions.
• Prize: $500

Writing Competitions for High School Students – Sources

[i] Institute for Education Sciences: National Center for Education Statistics. “Number of applications for admission from first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students were received by postsecondary institutions in the fall.” https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/answer/10/101

[ii] Jaschik, Scott. “Record Applications, Record Rejections.” Inside Higher Ed . 3 April 2022. https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2022/04/04/most-competitive-colleges-get-more-competitive

[iii] Wood, Sarah. “College Applications are on the Rise: What to Know.” U.S. News & World Report. 21 June 2022. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-applications-are-on-the-rise-what-to-know

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Science Essay Contest Opens for High School Students

Aspiring science writers are invited to participate in the International Science Essay Competition for high school students, hosted by the  Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science  (DUJS).

Now in its second year, the event drew more than 90 entrants from 20 countries in its inaugural year.

“We hope that the competition will get more high school students interested in science and science writing in college,” says DUJS President Yoo Jung Kim ’14. “This event is also an opportunity to showcase Dartmouth’s commitment to and strength in the sciences.”

DUSJ President Yoo Jung Kim ’14 (then a Sophomore Science Scholar) explains her genetics project to attendees at the 2012 Karen E. Wetterhahn Science Symposium. (Photo by Flying Squirrel Graphics/John Douglas)

The event is unique, and so is its host organization. As its name implies, the DUJS is run by undergraduates, including an editorial group of 24 and a dozen other students who are involved in writing, design, layout, and editing. Guidance and counsel come from an advisory board that includes 12 scientists, engineers, and other professionals from across the campus.

“High school students and international equivalents are invited to submit an essay about the recent effects and future promises of science in our society,” contest organizers say. They encourage entrants to write about particular discoveries, events, or individuals from science in current events, or present a more general account of the changes and developments in the world of science today. The deadline for submissions is September 30.

More information and application forms are available on the  DUJS  website.

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Discourse, debate, and analysis

Cambridge re:think essay competition 2024.

Competition Opens: 15th January, 2024

Essay Submission Deadline: 10th May, 2024 Result Announcement: 20th June, 2024 Award Ceremony and Dinner at the University of Cambridge: 30th July, 2024

We welcome talented high school students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives to the competition.

Entry to the competition is free.

About the Competition

The spirit of the Re:think essay competition is to encourage critical thinking and exploration of a wide range of thought-provoking and often controversial topics. The competition covers a diverse array of subjects, from historical and present issues to speculative future scenarios. Participants are invited to engage deeply with these topics, critically analysing their various facets and implications. It promotes intellectual exploration and encourages participants to challenge established norms and beliefs, presenting opportunities to envision alternative futures, consider the consequences of new technologies, and reevaluate longstanding traditions. 

Ultimately, our aim is to create a platform for students and scholars to share their perspectives on pressing issues of the past and future, with the hope of broadening our collective understanding and generating innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. This year’s competition aims to underscore the importance of discourse, debate, and critical analysis in addressing complex societal issues in nine areas, including:

Religion and Politics

Political science and law, linguistics, environment, sociology and philosophy, business and investment, public health and sustainability, biotechonology.

Artificial Intelligence 

Neuroengineering

2024 essay prompts.

This year, the essay prompts are contributed by distinguished professors from Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT.

Essay Guidelines and Judging Criteria

Review general guidelines, format guidelines, eligibility, judging criteria.

Awards and Award Ceremony

Award winners will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony and Dinner hosted at the King’s College, University of Cambridge. The Dinner is free of charge for select award recipients.

Registration and Submission

Register a participant account today and submit your essay before the deadline.

Advisory Committee and Judging Panel

The Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition is guided by an esteemed Advisory Committee comprising distinguished academics and experts from elite universities worldwide. These committee members, drawn from prestigious institutions, such as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT, bring diverse expertise in various disciplines.

They play a pivotal role in shaping the competition, contributing their insights to curate the themes and framework. Their collective knowledge and scholarly guidance ensure the competition’s relevance, academic rigour, and intellectual depth, setting the stage for aspiring minds to engage with thought-provoking topics and ideas.

We are honoured to invite the following distinguished professors to contribute to this year’s competition.

The judging panel of the competition comprises leading researchers and professors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Cambridge, and Oxford, engaging in a strictly double blind review process.

Keynote Speeches by 10 Nobel Laureates

We are beyond excited to announce that multiple Nobel laureates have confirmed to attend and speak at this year’s ceremony on 30th July, 2024 .

They will each be delivering a keynote speech to the attendees. Some of them distinguished speakers will speak virtually, while others will attend and present in person and attend the Reception at Cambridge.

Why has religion remained a force in a secular world? 

Professor Commentary:

Arguably, the developed world has become more secular in the last century or so. The influence of Christianity, e.g. has diminished and people’s life worlds are less shaped by faith and allegiance to Churches. Conversely, arguments have persisted that hold that we live in a post-secular world. After all, religion – be it in terms of faith, transcendence, or meaning – may be seen as an alternative to a disenchanted world ruled by entirely profane criteria such as economic rationality, progressivism, or science. Is the revival of religion a pale reminder of a by-gone past or does it provide sources of hope for the future?

‘Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Jürgen Habermas (European Journal of Philosophy, 2006)

In this paper, philosopher Jürgen Habermas discusses the limits of church-state separation, emphasizing the significant contribution of religion to public discourse when translated into publicly accessible reasons.

‘Public Religions in the Modern World’ by José Casanova (University Of Chicago Press, 1994)

Sociologist José Casanova explores the global emergence of public religion, analyzing case studies from Catholicism and Protestantism in Spain, Poland, Brazil, and the USA, challenging traditional theories of secularization.

‘The Power of Religion in the Public Sphere’ by Judith Butler, Jürgen Habermas, Charles Taylor, and Cornel West (Edited by Eduardo Mendieta and Jonathan VanAntwerpen, Columbia University Press, 2011)

This collection features dialogues by prominent intellectuals on the role of religion in the public sphere, examining various approaches and their impacts on cultural, social, and political debates.

‘Rethinking Secularism’ by Craig Calhoun, Mark Juergensmeyer, and Jonathan VanAntwerpen (Oxford University Press, 2011)

An interdisciplinary examination of secularism, this book challenges traditional views, highlighting the complex relationship between religion and secularism in contemporary global politics.

‘God is Back: How the Global Rise of Faith is Changing the World’ by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge (Penguin, 2010)

Micklethwait and Wooldridge argue for the coexistence of religion and modernity, suggesting that religious beliefs can contribute to a more open, tolerant, and peaceful modern world.

‘Multiculturalism’ by Tariq Modood (Polity Press, 2013)

Sociologist Tariq Modood emphasizes the importance of multiculturalism in integrating diverse identities, particularly in post-immigration contexts, and its role in shaping democratic citizenship.

‘God’s Agents: Biblical Publicity in Contemporary England’ by Matthew Engelke (University of California Press, 2013)

In this ethnographic study, Matthew Engelke explores how a group in England seeks to expand the role of religion in the public sphere, challenging perceptions of religion in post-secular England.

Gene therapy is a medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the underlying genetic problem. Is gene therapy better than traditional medicines? What are the pros and cons of using gene therapy as a medicine? Is gene therapy justifiable?

Especially after Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, gene therapy is getting more and more interesting approach to cure. That’s why that could be interesting to think about. I believe that students will enjoy and learn a lot while they are investigating this topic.

The Hall at King’s College, Cambridge

The Hall was designed by William Wilkins in the 1820s and is considered one of the most magnificent halls of its era. The first High Table dinner in the Hall was held in February 1828, and ever since then, the splendid Hall has been where members of the college eat and where formal dinners have been held for centuries.

The Award Ceremony and Dinner will be held in the Hall in the evening of  30th July, 2024.

Stretching out down to the River Cam, the Back Lawn has one of the most iconic backdrop of King’s College Chapel. 

The early evening reception will be hosted on the Back Lawn with the iconic Chapel in the background (weather permitting). 

King’s College Chapel

With construction started in 1446 by Henry VI and took over a century to build, King’s College Chapel is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and is a splendid example of late Gothic architecture. 

Attendees are also granted complimentary access to the King’s College Chapel before and during the event. 

Confirmed Nobel Laureates

Dr Thomas R. Cech

The nobel prize in chemistry 1989 , for the discovery of catalytic properties of rna.

Thomas Robert Cech is an American chemist who shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Sidney Altman, for their discovery of the catalytic properties of RNA. Cech discovered that RNA could itself cut strands of RNA, suggesting that life might have started as RNA. He found that RNA can not only transmit instructions, but also that it can speed up the necessary reactions.

He also studied telomeres, and his lab discovered an enzyme, TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), which is part of the process of restoring telomeres after they are shortened during cell division.

As president of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, he promoted science education, and he teaches an undergraduate chemistry course at the University of Colorado

Sir Richard J. Roberts

The nobel prize in medicine 1993 .

F or the discovery of split genes

During 1969–1972, Sir Richard J. Roberts did postdoctoral research at Harvard University before moving to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he was hired by James Dewey Watson, a co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and a fellow Nobel laureate. In this period he also visited the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the first time, working alongside Fred Sanger. In 1977, he published his discovery of RNA splicing. In 1992, he moved to New England Biolabs. The following year, he shared a Nobel Prize with his former colleague at Cold Spring Harbor Phillip Allen Sharp.

His discovery of the alternative splicing of genes, in particular, has had a profound impact on the study and applications of molecular biology. The realisation that individual genes could exist as separate, disconnected segments within longer strands of DNA first arose in his 1977 study of adenovirus, one of the viruses responsible for causing the common cold. Robert’s research in this field resulted in a fundamental shift in our understanding of genetics, and has led to the discovery of split genes in higher organisms, including human beings.

Dr Aaron Ciechanover

The nobel prize in chemistry 2004 .

F or the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation

Aaron Ciechanover is one of Israel’s first Nobel Laureates in science, earning his Nobel Prize in 2004 for his work in ubiquitination. He is honored for playing a central role in the history of Israel and in the history of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Dr Ciechanover is currently a Technion Distinguished Research Professor in the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute at the Technion. He is a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Russian Academy of Sciences and is a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences. In 2008, he was a visiting Distinguished Chair Professor at NCKU, Taiwan. As part of Shenzhen’s 13th Five-Year Plan funding research in emerging technologies and opening “Nobel laureate research labs”, in 2018 he opened the Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen campus.

Dr Robert Lefkowitz

The nobel prize in chemistry 2012 .

F or the discovery of G protein-coupled receptors

Robert Joseph Lefkowitz is an American physician (internist and cardiologist) and biochemist. He is best known for his discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family G protein-coupled receptors, for which he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Brian Kobilka. He is currently an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as well as a James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Duke University.

Dr Lefkowitz made a remarkable contribution in the mid-1980s when he and his colleagues cloned the gene first for the β-adrenergic receptor, and then rapidly thereafter, for a total of 8 adrenergic receptors (receptors for adrenaline and noradrenaline). This led to the seminal discovery that all GPCRs (which include the β-adrenergic receptor) have a very similar molecular structure. The structure is defined by an amino acid sequence which weaves its way back and forth across the plasma membrane seven times. Today we know that about 1,000 receptors in the human body belong to this same family. The importance of this is that all of these receptors use the same basic mechanisms so that pharmaceutical researchers now understand how to effectively target the largest receptor family in the human body. Today, as many as 30 to 50 percent of all prescription drugs are designed to “fit” like keys into the similarly structured locks of Dr Lefkowitz’ receptors—everything from anti-histamines to ulcer drugs to beta blockers that help relieve hypertension, angina and coronary disease.

Dr Lefkowitz is among the most highly cited researchers in the fields of biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical medicine according to Thomson-ISI.

Dr Joachim Frank

The nobel prize in chemistry 2017 .

F or developing cryo-electron microscopy

Joachim Frank is a German-American biophysicist at Columbia University and a Nobel laureate. He is regarded as the founder of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2017 with Jacques Dubochet and Richard Henderson. He also made significant contributions to structure and function of the ribosome from bacteria and eukaryotes.

In 1975, Dr Frank was offered a position of senior research scientist in the Division of Laboratories and Research (now Wadsworth Center), New York State Department of Health,where he started working on single-particle approaches in electron microscopy. In 1985 he was appointed associate and then (1986) full professor at the newly formed Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University at Albany, State University of New York. In 1987 and 1994, he went on sabbaticals in Europe, one to work with Richard Henderson, Laboratory of Molecular Biology Medical Research Council in Cambridge and the other as a Humboldt Research Award winner with Kenneth C. Holmes, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg. In 1998, Dr Frank was appointed investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Since 2003 he was also lecturer at Columbia University, and he joined Columbia University in 2008 as professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and of biological sciences.

Dr Barry C. Barish

The nobel prize in physics 2017 .

For the decisive contributions to the detection of gravitational waves

Dr Barry Clark Barish is an American experimental physicist and Nobel Laureate. He is a Linde Professor of Physics, emeritus at California Institute of Technology and a leading expert on gravitational waves.

In 2017, Barish was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Rainer Weiss and Kip Thorne “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”. He said, “I didn’t know if I would succeed. I was afraid I would fail, but because I tried, I had a breakthrough.”

In 2018, he joined the faculty at University of California, Riverside, becoming the university’s second Nobel Prize winner on the faculty.

In the fall of 2023, he joined Stony Brook University as the inaugural President’s Distinguished Endowed Chair in Physics.

In 2023, Dr Barish was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Biden in a White House ceremony.

Dr Harvey J. Alter

The nobel prize in medicine 2020 .

For the discovery of Hepatitis C virus

Dr Harvey J. Alter is an American medical researcher, virologist, physician and Nobel Prize laureate, who is best known for his work that led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Alter is the former chief of the infectious disease section and the associate director for research of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. In the mid-1970s, Alter and his research team demonstrated that most post-transfusion hepatitis cases were not due to hepatitis A or hepatitis B viruses. Working independently, Alter and Edward Tabor, a scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, proved through transmission studies in chimpanzees that a new form of hepatitis, initially called “non-A, non-B hepatitis” caused the infections, and that the causative agent was probably a virus. This work eventually led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus in 1988, for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2020 along with Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice.

Dr Alter has received recognition for the research leading to the discovery of the virus that causes hepatitis C. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award conferred to civilians in United States government public health service, and the 2000 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research.

Dr Ardem Patapoutian

The nobel prize in medicine 2021 .

For discovering how pressure is translated into nerve impulses

Dr Ardem Patapoutian is an Lebanese-American molecular biologist, neuroscientist, and Nobel Prize laureate of Armenian descent. He is known for his work in characterising the PIEZO1, PIEZO2, and TRPM8 receptors that detect pressure, menthol, and temperature. Dr Patapoutian is a neuroscience professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California. In 2021, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with David Julius.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I participate in the Re:think essay competition? 

The Re:think Essay competition is meant to serve as fertile ground for honing writing skills, fostering critical thinking, and refining communication abilities. Winning or participating in reputable contests can lead to recognition, awards, scholarships, or even publication opportunities, elevating your academic profile for college applications and future endeavours. Moreover, these competitions facilitate intellectual growth by encouraging exploration of diverse topics, while also providing networking opportunities and exposure to peers, educators, and professionals. Beyond accolades, they instil confidence, prepare for higher education demands, and often allow you to contribute meaningfully to societal conversations or causes, making an impact with your ideas.

Who is eligible to enter the Re:think essay competition?  

As long as you’re currently attending high school, regardless of your location or background, you’re eligible to participate. We welcome students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives to the competition.

Is there any entry fee for the competition? 

There is no entry fee for the competition. Waiving the entry fee for our essay competition demonstrates CCIR’s dedication to equity. CCIR believes everyone should have an equal chance to participate and showcase their talents, regardless of financial circumstances. Removing this barrier ensures a diverse pool of participants and emphasises merit and creativity over economic capacity, fostering a fair and inclusive environment for all contributors.

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What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

23 Writing Competitions for High School Students

What’s covered:, why should you enter a writing competition, writing competitions for high school students, how do writing competitions affect my admissions chances.

Do you dream of writing the next great American novel? Are you passionate about poetry? Do you aspire to become a screenwriter? No matter what genre of writing you’re interested in—whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or something else entirely—there’s a writing competition focused on it.

Writing competitions provide great motivation to put pen to paper (or finger to key). Moreover, they’re an excellent step toward getting published, and can ultimately start you on the path to becoming a professional writer.

One of the best ways to improve your writing is simply to write—and competitions provide an excellent impetus to do so. Writing competitions also serve as an introduction to what life is like for many writers; participants entering writing competitions will receive a prompt or must think of an original idea, compose a piece of work, and submit it for review.

Another benefit of entering a writing competition for high schoolers is that many offer cash awards and scholarships, which can be used to help with the costs of college.

Additionally, many writing competitions are run by colleges and universities, so submitting them is a great way to introduce faculty to yourself and your work. If you win an award—especially a prestigious award—it can significantly improve your odds of college acceptance.

1. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

Type: Poetry and Prose

Submission Fee: $15

Prize: $200

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Eligibility:

• All secondary and undergraduate students

Guidelines:

• Each student may send up to five total submissions across the genres of poetry and prose
• Each poetry submission may include up to six poems (maximum of ten pages single-spaced). Each prose submission may include up to three works of fiction or creative nonfiction (combined word limit of 3,500 words; excerpts are acceptable).

Adroit Prizes are awarded to emerging high school and college writers in two categories: poetry and prose. Winning pieces are considered for publication in the Adroit Journal and winners receive an award of $200. The 2023 judges are Natalie Diaz and Ocean Vuong.

2. Ten-Minute Play Contest

Type: Plays

Submission Fee: N/A

Deadline: Passed, but the contest will reopen in 2024

Eligibility: Students in the eleventh grade in the U.S. (or international equivalent of the eleventh grade)

Guidelines: Applicants may submit only one play (10 pages maximum)

The Ten-Minute Play Contest is put on by Princeton University’s Lewis Center of the Arts. Applicants are allowed to submit one play that is no longer than 10 pages. Their submissions are judged by members of Princeton University’s Theater Program faculty.

3. Ayn Rand Anthem and The Fountainhead Essay Contests

Type: Essays

• Anthem: $2,000
• The Fountainhead : $5,000
• Anthem: Grades 8-12
• The Fountainhead : Grades 11-12
• Anthem: Essays must be written in English only and between 600 and 1,200 words in length, double-spaced
• The Fountainhead: Essays must be written in English only and between 800 and 1,600 words in length, double-spaced

In this essay competition, students pick one of three prompts about a topic related to Ayn Rand’s books and write an essay that goes through three stages of grading. Students are graded on their clarity, organization, understanding, and ability to stay “on topic.”

4. Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

Type: Poetry

Prize: $500-$1,500

Eligibility: Students must be in the 11th grade in the U.S. or abroad

Guidelines: Applicants may submit up to 3 poems

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize is another contest run by Princeton University’s Lewis Center of the Arts. Winners are chosen by judges who are both poets and members of Princeton University’s creative writing faculty. Three monetary awards are available.

5. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Prize: $500

Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs

Guidelines: Essays should be approximately 1,000 words

Winners of this competition receive a $500 prize along with a free yearlong membership to the World History Association . To apply, you must submit an approximately 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt:

• Submit an essay that addresses the following topic and discusses how it relates to you personally and to World History: Your view of a family story related to a historical event or your personal family cultural background, or an issue of personal relevance or specific regional history/knowledge.

6. Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Prize: $250-$1,000

Deadline: June 1, 2023

Eligibility: Open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students

• Must be submitted by the student through the official Essay Contest Submission website
• Entries may include a statement about the student’s mentor; however, a mentor statement is not required
• The essay must be 6-8 pages in length, not including the Works Cited page
• The essay must use MLA documentation, including a Works Cited page and parenthetical citations in the body of the text. Use endnotes only for substantive notes. Source material that is directly quoted, paraphrased, or summarized must be cited. Quotations from the Jane Austen work under discussion should be cited as well.

The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Essay Contest is an annual writing competition aimed at fostering an appreciation for its namesake’s work. The contest is broken down into three divisions—high school, college/university, and graduate school.

First-place winners are awarded a $1,000 prize along with free registration and lodging for two nights at JASNA’s Annual General Meeting—smaller monetary awards are also given to second- and third-place essayists.

This year’s essay topic:

• In Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen’s other novels, we see proposals and marriages that are motivated by love, as well as those that are better described as arranged marriages or marriages of convenience. Many cultures today also expect arranged marriages (not the same as forced). In your essay, compare and discuss the different types of marriages or courtships found in the novels, whether those relationships are new or longstanding.

7. Bennington College Young Writers Awards

Type: Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction

Deadline: November 1, 2023

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12

• Poetry: A group of three poems
• Fiction: A short story (1,500 words or fewer) or one-act play (run no more than 30 minutes of playing time)
• Nonfiction: A personal or academic essay (1,500 words or fewer)

Bennington College has a strong history of developing writers—it’s produced twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. poet laureates, and countless New York Times bestsellers—and the Bennington College Young Writers Awards celebrate this legacy.

In addition to offering cash awards to winners and finalists in all three categories, winners and finalists who apply and are accepted to Bennington College are also eligible for substantial scholarships.

8. Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder/Sense of the Wild Contest

Type: Poetry and Essays

Deadline: November 16, 2023

• You are required to have a team of 2 or more people
• The team must be intergenerational

Guidelines: Maximum length of 500 words (approximately 2 pages)

This unique writing competition requires that entries must be submitted by a team of two people from different generations—for example, a high school student and a teacher. Contestants can compete in a number of categories and themes, each with unique submission requirements.

9. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

Type: Fiction and Poetry

Prize: $2,000

Deadline: October 2, 2023

Eligibility: Rising high school students graduating in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and recently graduated 2023 seniors

• Poetry: Students may submit their original poetry in any style, from formal verse to free verse to experimental. The poem should be formatted as you wish it to appear in the publication.
• Fiction: Students may submit a piece of short fiction, which must be no more than 5,000 words and should not be single-spaced. The entry may be any genre of the student’s choice, including graphic novel or story.
• Must submit educator recommendation, academic resume, and current transcript with application

Winning works for this competition are chosen based on their creativity, technique, expression, and originality. Three winners are chosen in each category and each winner receives a $2,000 prize.

10. John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest

Prize: $100-$10,000

Eligibility: The contest is open to United States high school students in grades 9-12, U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program,  and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.

• Essays can be no more than 1,000 words but must be a minimum of 700 words. Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count.
• Essays must have a minimum of five sources.

The prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest is one of the most recognizable and prestigious writing competitions for high schoolers in the nation. Essays for the contest are required to describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. The first-place winner of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest takes home a $10,000 award and second place receives a $3,000 prize.

11. YoungArts National Writing Competition

Deadline: Opens June 2023

Eligibility: 15- to 18-year-old visual, literary, or performing artist based in the United States

Guidelines: To be released

YoungArts supports talented young artists between the ages of 15 and 18 (or grades 10-12) in 10 disciplines, including writing. Applicants can submit entries in six genres—creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word.

12. SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

Submission Fee: $5

Prize: $300-$1,000

Eligibility: All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States

• The essay should be 300-500 words
• Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced

This high school writing contest is presented by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA) to increase awareness of the importance of independent media.

Last year’s prompt was:

• While consumers are drawn toward tweets and sound bites, how can journalists tell more of the story without losing readers’ interest?

13. VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competitions

Eligibility: High school students with disabilities

• 10-minute script
• Entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration between two students that includes at least one student with a disability

This writing competition, presented by the Kennedy Center, is open to students ages 15-18 (or enrolled in high school) with disabilities. Writers may submit a “ten-minute” script in any genre, including plays, musicals, multimedia, video, film, TV, and podcasts.

Entries can be the work of an individual or the product of collaboration—provided that at least one of the collaborators has a disability. Multiple winners are chosen and given the chance to work with industry professionals, attend Kennedy Center professional development activities, and participate in networking opportunities.

14. Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Prize: $350

Eligibility: Women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school

Guidelines: No more than two poems by any one student may be submitted

For almost six decades, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest has provided recognition, scholarships, and awards to the best female high school sophomore and junior poets. Submissions are reviewed by faculty members of Hollins University’s creative writing program and students enrolled in its M.F.A. in creative writing.

The first-place winner receives a $350 cash prize, a renewable $5,000 scholarship to Hollins University if they choose to enroll there, as well as free tuition and housing at the university’s Hollinsummer creative writing program. Their winning work is also published in Cargoes , the university’s student literary magazine.

15. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Type: Various

Submission Fee: $10 for individual entry, $30 for portfolio (can use Fee Waiver Form)

Prize: Varies

Deadline: Opens in September

Eligibility: Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up)

Guidelines: Varies by category

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. They offer 28 submission categories, including writing, critical essay, dramatic scripts, flash fiction, journalism, humor, novel writing, personal essay and memoir, poetry, science fiction and fantasy, and short story.

Works are judged by famous jurors who look for works that show originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Students can earn a variety of scholarships through success in these competitions.

Works that celebrate individual differences or personal grief, loss, and bereavement are eligible for $1,000 scholarships. High school seniors submitting winning portfolios of six works are eligible for up to $12,500 in scholarships.

16. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

Type: Creative Writing and Poetry

Prize: $100-$1,500

Deadline: June 13, 2023

• Students ages 11-18 from around the world
• Students can participate as an individual or as a club, class, or group of any size
• All students must provide the contact information for an Adult Sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.)
• Creative Writing: no more than 5 pages (approximately 1,250 words)
• Poetry: no more than 2 pages
• A written reflection is required to accompany your submission, regardless of category. It is like the introduction to a book or an artist’s statement in a museum.

The 12th annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change. Students can participate in six different categories, including poetry and spoken word, and creative writing.

This year’s prompt centers around climate issues:

• Research and choose an inspirational scientist, activist, artist, educator, or other hero who is working to solve climate change issues. Create a piece of art, writing, or media that highlights their efforts, organizations, and/or positive impacts. We are familiar with the amazing work of environmental giants like Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough. We challenge you to introduce the Bow Seat community to a Climate Hero whose work we may not know about yet – but should.

17. John Locke Global Essay Competition

Submission Fee: N/A (unless late entry)

Prize: $2,000-$10,000 toward attending any John Locke Institute program

Deadline: June 30, 2023 (must register by May 31, 2023)

Eligibility: Candidates must be no older than 18 years old on June 30, 2023 (Candidates for the Junior Prize must be no older than 14 on the same date)

Guidelines: Each essay must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed 2,000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, footnotes, bibliography, or authorship declaration)

Students competing in this competition have the opportunity to write an essay in one of seven categories—philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Each category has three prompts, from which students choose and respond to one.

Essays are judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, the competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style, and persuasive force.

If you miss the deadline, you can submit a late entry up until July 10. Late entries will be charged a $20 late fee.

18. AFSA National High School Essay Contest

Prize: $2,500

• Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate.
• Students must be in grades 9-12 in any of the 50 states, Washington, D.C, the U.S. territories, or—if they are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents —attending high school overseas.

Guidelines: Your essay should be at least 1,000 words but should not exceed 1,500 words (word count does not apply to the list of sources)

The AFSA Essay Contest focuses on knowledge of foreign policy and the American Foreign Service. Last year’s prompt was:

• In your essay, you will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

The first-place winner receives $2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital with their parents from anywhere in the U.S., and an all-expenses-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea. The runner-up wins $1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

19. EngineerGirl Writing Contest

Prize: $100-$500

• The contest is open to individual students in the following three competition categories—Elementary School Students (grades 3-5), Middle School Students (grades 6-8), or High School Students (grades 9-12).
• You can also qualify with corresponding homeschool or international grade levels.
• High school student essays must be no more than 750 words
• You must also include a reference list of 3-10 resources

In this competition, students choose one of four prompts related to the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century and explore the technologies that have been developed in the last century and technologies that are being developed today. Students are judged based on their presentation and examples of engineering (~35%), their celebration of diversity (~50%), and their quality of writing (~15%).

20. The Blank Theatre Young Playwright’s Festival

Prize: Play is produced

Eligibility: Playwrights must be 19 years old or younger as of March 15, 2023; co-authored plays are welcome, provided all authors are 19 or younger

• Original plays or musicals of any length or genre and on any subject
• Up to three plays per playwright or team

While winners of this theater competition do not receive a cash prize, they have the unique opportunity to be mentored by leaders in the field, then will have their play directed and performed by professional artists during the following summer. The 12 best submissions are produced and professionally performed.

21. Saint Mary’s College of California River of Words Contest

Type: Poetry and Arts

• The contest is open to K-12 students, ages 5-19
• Students must be enrolled in school to be eligible
• Participants may submit up to 5 entries for poetry and 5 entries for art (total of up to 10 entries)
• Poems should not exceed 32 lines in length (written) or 3 minutes (signed)
• Collaborative poems and artwork are accepted, but only one student (chosen as the group representative) will be eligible for any prizes awarded

The River of Words contest aims to promote environmental literacy through the exchange of arts and culture. River of Words has been inspiring educators and students through this competition for over 25 years.

The goal of River of Words is to connect youth with their watersheds—the environments they live in—through engagement with art and poetry related to the idea of “place.” They look for art and poetry that shows the connection between students and the worlds around them.

22. Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Prize: $10,000

Deadline: November 6, 2023

Eligibility: Open to all 12th grade, college, and graduate students worldwide

Guidelines: Essays must be between 800 and 1,600 words in length

In this essay competition, high school seniors pick one of three prompts about a topic related to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and write an essay that goes through three stages of grading. Students are graded on their clarity, organization, understanding, and ability to stay “on topic.”

23. Writopia Lab’s Worldwide Plays Festival

Prize: Play produced

Eligibility: Playwrights ages 6 to 18

• 8 minutes maximum
• Any genre or style
• Plays should have no more than three characters
• There can be no narrator of the play who is not emotionally invested in the story
• Students must incorporate at least one of the following props or costumes —blue plates, a yellow blouse, a Valentine’s heart with the word “Love,” a flower crown, a plush hotdog, a Mardi Gras bead with jester heads, a pack of clothespins, Russian nesting dolls, a set of miniature cymbals, a lavender blouse, a lei, or a roll of aluminum foil

Since 2010, Writopia Lab has been producing, designing, and directing one-act plays submitted by young playwrights. These winning plays are then performed by New York City theater professionals. The contest looks for playwrights who embody fearlessness and imagination. Writopia Lab says, “Write deeply! Write fiercely! Write politically and personally! And don’t be afraid to write with a sense of play – they are called plays, after all.”

While we can’t know exactly how activities outside of the classroom will affect your college admissions odds, the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities provide a helpful framework for understanding how colleges view your extracurriculars.

Extracurricular activities in Tiers 1 and 2 are reserved for the most exclusive and acclaimed awards, and can significantly improve your odds of college admission. By contrast, Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more common extracurriculars, and have less of an impact on your chances of college admission.

For example, if you place in a nationally renowned writing competition—a Tier 2 activity—this will positively affect your admissions chances. On the other hand, if you receive an honorable mention in your high school’s poetry contest—a Tier 4 activity—your admissions chances will not be significantly affected.

That said, if you are applying to an English Literature or Creative Writing program with a well-developed essay and recommendations that emphasize your commitment to language, participation in Tier 3 and 4 writing competitions could help admissions officers conceptualize your passion for your future career.

Curious how the writing competition you participated in will affect your college admission chances? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors—including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars—to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities, while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.

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Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

• Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
• Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
• Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
• Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

• The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
• An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

• Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
• Be age 16 or older.
• Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
• If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
• As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

• Amyrrean Acoff
• Leon Aldridge
• Kharis Andrews
• Colton Collier
• Indya Griffin
• Christopher Hak
• Aquil Hayes
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News | San Marino-area students keep winning robotics…

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News | San Marino-area students keep winning robotics competitions. Next stop, a first: World Championships

How do you build a championship-worthy robot? Step aside and let the teenagers do it.

The San Marino High School Titanium Robotics team hasn’t had much time to celebrate winning the regionals of the FIRST Robotics Competition last week. The victory earned them a spot at the world championships in Houston this Wednesday, a first for the club founded 23 years ago.

Club adviser Scott Barton said the students were reminded that this moment is historic since this chance to go to “Worlds” also honors everyone who joined the team since 2001.

“This is student-led, student-designed, student-built,” Barton said. “I ask questions, I challenge their decisions, and whether it works or not, they have to live with them and I think they appreciate that.”

The Titanium robotics team is actually a full business model, with its 33 members of 14- to 18-year-olds assigned to engineering and another to business. Three San Marino High School alumni serve as mentors.

“I have kids on the team who never touch the robot, but they write annual reports, make B-rolls and commercials, run social media,” said Barton, who is on his 17th year as adviser. “It’s really hands-on, real-life learning. This is totally extracurricular. They’re doing this for the love of it. They work hard and they have fun being together.”

Makenna Wong, 18, of San Marino followed her brother into the robotics club four years ago. She is president of Titanium’s business team.

“I can’t stress enough how much of this is student-led, and it’s kind of crazy to think a robotics team will teach you about how to run a business, but it has,” she said. “We’ve done fundraisers, handled all the finances, outreached with other groups to make an impact on our community. It’s more than even taking a business class and it’s taught me I can handle and run a business.”

The business, of course, revolves around the robot Mo(Ti)f, the parenthesis-ed “Ti” a nod to the team’s elemental name. Senior Gavin Morris, 17, of San Marino has spent his whole high school career as a member of the robotics engineering team.

“I remember in elementary school, seeing this T-shirt cannon at a science fair and thinking, ‘This is super super cool,” and ever since then, I’ve wanted to do (robotics),” Gavin said. “I really like working with all the other students. We draw in so many amazing people who are dedicated and we all want to work toward this goal of making the best product we can.”

Community support is a central cog in their system, with sponsorships from Boeing and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Bob French’s children were Titanium members, and he’s continued to boost the club even after they graduated. The longtime Boeing employee volunteered to drive the team robot and other equipment 1,500 miles to Houston.

“He’s been a big part of the team for the last 12 years, and he said he wouldn’t miss this moment for anything,” Barton said.

In Houston, San Marino will face competition from about a dozen Southern California high schools as well as teams from Brazil, Canada, Israel, and Turkey, Canada. While they bested about 60 teams on a single field at the regional competition in Berkeley, the world competition will find them competing with 600 teams on seven fields. About 50,000 people are expected to attend.

The event is organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit that challenges teams to design, program and build a robot using a standard kit of parts and a set of rules to play. Teams also have to build a brand, develop community partnerships and work to promote STEM.

It will be the culmination of six-days-a-week planning sessions, 12-hour workdays and pushing through problems from fundraising logistics to programming issues.

“For me, I’ve learned to how to work with a team and most importantly, to communicate,” Morris said. “When you communicate, things just work.”

For science teacher Barton, taking the field in Houston simply punctuates what is already a success story. His students have cultivated a sense of ownership and pride in their work, even if things didn’t go well.

“We’re not worried,” he said. “We’re going to go and have fun and do the best we can.”

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7 facts about Lomonosov Moscow State University you should know

1. The oldest university in Russia

Empress Elizabeth of Russia; Ivan Shuvalov; Mikhail Lomonosov

Moscow University was founded in 1755 at the order of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. The education concept and the university project were prepared by first Russian academician Mikhail Lomonosov . However, MSU would be named after him only in 1940.

Lomonosov’s words, “science is a clear knowledge of the truth, enlightenment of the mind”, adorn the coat of arms of MSU today (The full quote from his book ‘Rhetoric’ goes as follows: “Science is a clear knowledge of the truth, enlightenment of the mind, immaculate entertainment of life, praise of youth, support of old age, builder of cities, regiments, the fortress of success in misery and decoration in happiness, everywhere a faithful and inseparable companion.”).

Moscow State University emblem

Lomonosov student and Elizaveta’s favorite Ivan Shuvalov, who presented the project to the empress, promoted the idea of creating a university. He became the first curator of MSU.

January 25 is considered the birthday of the university, also known as ‘Tatiana Day’. Shuvalov timed it for the birthday of his mother. MSU also has a house church named after Martyr Tatiana.

Moscow University contests St. Petersburg State University’s claim to be the oldest (historians debate if the latter is the successor of the Academy of Sciences, founded by Peter the Great in 1724 or the reorganized Pedagogical University, founded in 1819).

And yet, MSU’s anthem says: “It’s ours! It’s the first! It’s Moscow University!”

2. Until 1953, the main building was located near the Kremlin

The building of 'Zemsky prikaz' on the Red Square, 1872

The first building of MSU didn’t survive – initially, the university was given the building of Zemsky prikaz (county council) on the Red Square (today, the Historical Museum occupies this space). This building didn’t meet the requirements of the new university – and, in the 1780s, a new building was erected for it on Mokhovaya Street, right across from the Kremlin.

The oldest building of the university (now it hosts MSU’s Institute of Asian and African Studies)

Students still attend this oldest of the surviving buildings of the university at the address Mokhovaya Street, 11 – now it hosts MSU’s Institute of Asian and African Studies.

MSU’s Faculty of Journalism (with a monument to Mikhail Lomonosov in front of it)

In the 1830s, for the university’s needs another building was bought out (built in 1790) across the road (now the address Mokhovaya, 9 is occupied by the MSU Faculty of Journalism), as well as the house church. Later, the university occupied the entire quarter – its own printing house appeared, as well as a scientific library and a zoological museum.

3. The main building is now one of Stalin’s skyscrapers

MSU main building under construction, 1951

Before the 1917 Revolution, education at Moscow State University was just for the elites – and, even then, only a very small circle of people could afford it. But, after the Revolution, the course was set for the democratization of education. The number of students rose sharply, a reorganization was undertaken and student self-governed bodies were created. The Higher Courses for Women also merged with MSU, for the first time allowing female students and also female professors. New faculties and areas of study appeared; small buildings in the center of the city couldn’t keep up with the main university of the country’s needs.

First lecture after the end of WWII. September 1, 1945

At the end of the 1940s, Stalin planned to build several high-rises in Moscow – initially, the high-rise on Lenin (‘Sparrow’) Hills on the bend of the Moscow River was supposed to be a hotel. But, the MSU administration pleaded so much for a new building that Stalin decided to give this building to the university. MSU ended up being the tallest of these buildings – its central building with the spire has 32 stories and is 239 meters tall (and it's the tallest educational building in the world).

Main building of MSU and buildings of the Faculty of Chemistry (left) and Physics

At the same time, two buildings for the Faculties of Chemistry and Physics were erected next to the main one in the same style.

4. MSU owns hundreds of other buildings

View on MSU main building from the Vorobyevy Gory

Today, MSU owns hundreds of buildings across Moscow and beyond. The area of just the main campus is hundreds of hectares.

The building of the new MSU Fundamental Library (opened in 2005)

Aside from a range of buildings in the middle of the city and more than ten educational buildings on Sparrow Hills, MSU owns several libraries, research centers and laboratories, its own printing house, a botanical garden, several museums, a track and field arena, as well as soccer fields and tennis courts and much, much more.

The Shuvalov academic buildings of MSU (opened in 2007)

It even has its own clinic, meteorological observatory and its own nuclear center.

5. The university currently has 43 faculties!

In addition to the faculties, MSU also has more than 300 departments and seven branches in other countries (among them former USSR republics and Slovenia).

Students in front of the first Humanities Building, 1975

Initially, in 1755, the university had only three faculties – the Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Medicine. In the 19th century, they were joined by the departments of physical and mathematical sciences, as well as philological departments. After the 1917 Revolution, it was reorganized and new faculties of fundamental sciences appeared: the faculties of Chemistry, Biology, Mechanics and Mathematics, Physics, History, Geology, Geography, Philology and Economics.

In 1952, the Faculty of Journalism branched off the Faculty of Philology and, in 1973, the Faculty of Soil Science branched off the Faculty of Biology. Also, the faculties of Psychology, Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics and the Institute of Asian and African Studies appeared.

Lesson in the lingaphone classroom at the MSU Institute of Asian and African Studies, 1978

In the 1980s-1990s, separate faculties were allocated for such sciences as sociology, foreign languages and area studies, materials science, fundamental medicine, public administration and military education. Today, MSU also teaches bioengineering, global politics, public administration, business, television, humanitarian management among many other options.

Aside from that, MSU has its own educational center for high school students, whose priority is the preparation for enrolling at the university.

6. Headed for more than 30 years by academician Viktor Sadovnichy

MSU rector Viktor Sadovnichiy greets freshmen

Since 1992, Viktor Sadovnichiy has served as a longtime rector of the university. He himself graduated in 1963 from the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of MSU (that’s why other faculties’ students are often jealous, because they believe he loves his faculty a bit more than the others and pays more attention to it).

Every year, according to an old tradition, the rector offers students medovukha - a honey-based alcoholic beverage - on MSU’s birthday.

Sadovnichiy also heads the Russian Union of Rectors and has the title of honorary professor at many foreign universities, from the U.S. to Japan. He has a lot of state honors and awards. Aside from that, an asteroid was named after him (‘Sadovnichij’), as well as a type of peony tree (‘Academician Sadovnichiy’).

7. MSU alumni received 11 Nobel Prizes

An MSU student getting ready for classes

Today, about 40,000 students attend MSU (almost 4,000 of them are foreign students from 80 countries). It’s simply impossible to count the overall number of graduates of the university for all the years of its existence. Russia Beyond alone has about a dozen graduates (mainly from the Faculty of Journalism)! 

MSU graduates who won the Nobel Prize: Boris Pasternak, Andrei Sakharov, Mikhail Gorbachev

People who graduate from MSU become famous politicians, businessmen, sportsmen, writers and journalists – and, of course, outstanding scientists. They received a slew of notable awards, and 11 graduates became Nobel Prize laureates in different fields:

• Nikolay Semyonov (Chemistry, 1956),
• Igor Tamm and Ilya Frank (Physics, 1958),
• Boris Pasternak (Literature, 1958),
• Lev Landau (Physics, 1962),
• Alexander Prokhorov (Physics, 1964),
• Andrei Sakharov (Peace Prize, 1975),
• Pyotr Kapitsa (Physics, 1978),
• Mikhail Gorbachev (Peace Prize, 1990),
• Vitaly Ginzburg and Alexei Abrikosov (Physics, 2003)

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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

1840 — 1893

«Our love of Tchaikovsky from one century to the next and one generation to the next is what makes his superb music eternal.» Dmitri Shostakovich

The artistic legacy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky has become an undeniable fixture of modern life. His music, intimately connected with folk melodies and with all the genres and the lifestyle of his era, is truly international and undiminished by time. It is recognized throughout the world both as a symbol of Russia's national music and also as an example of the universality of what is most important in mankind's thoughts and feelings, which are embodied in the music in a way that is striking and accessible to everyone.

Tchaikovsky's works cover practically all the musical forms, with an emphasis on the largest and most telling-operas and symphonies. These contain the fullest and clearest depiction of the artist's inner world as they concentrate on the intricate stirrings of the soul revealed in stark dramatic confrontations. And at the same time one of his main distinctions is a lyricism expressed through melodic beauty that draws an immediate response from the listener.

«With all my heart I would hope that my music may spread far so that there are more who love it and find consolation and encouragement in it.»

It is impossible to improve upon these words of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to explain the meaning of his art which involves speaking «truly, honestly, and simply» about those things that are the essence of life for anyone.

Tchaikovsky's dream came true-more and more we are finding «consolation and encouragement» in his music. The composer's hundredth birthday in 1940 was celebrated as a national holiday. That was when the Moscow Conservatory and the Concert Hall of the Moscow Philharmonic were named after him. After another 18 years the first International Tchaikovsky Competition took place in the capital, and it came as one more vivid indication of the world's high regard for this great Russian composer.

It should come as no surprise that there is a meaningful coincidence right now: the milestone XV Competition falls on the 175th year after Tchaikovsky's birth. During the spring festivities in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Klin, Votkinsk and other cities, the Competition will carry out its mission-to be both the culmination of a jubilee birthday and also to go down in history as an extraordinary artistic event that reveals to the world the new stars of classical performing mastery.

«Everything I hold dear is in Petersburg...»

It was Saint Petersburg that formed Tchaikovsky as a person and as a musician. Toward the end of his life, the city humbled its imperial pride before this man of genius. This can be explained by the patronage of Alexander III, which influenced what happened on the stage of the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre.

That was where «Sleeping Beauty» and «The Queen of Spades», had their premieres, as well as the opera-ballet double bill of «Iolanta» — «The Nutcracker», that was staged in honour of the Crown Prince.

However, there were many less glamourous but no less meaningful events-right up to the premiere of the Sixth Symphony that was understood by so few.

Tchaikovsky's parents brought him in 1850 from distant Votkinsk to St. Petersburg when he was eight years old, and the boy's childhood would have been quite ordinary had it not been for the loneliness suffered when he was separated from his parents to spend his first two years at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence. In her book «Tchaikovsky. A Lonely Life» Nina Berberova gives a speculative account of the boy's heartrending farewell to his mother, which has been employed in so many biographies and films about Tchaikovsky that it has overshadowed another fact: the happy reunion that came later,. His parents did, in fact, come and settle in St. Petersburg in 1852. On Kosoi Pereulok (Crooked Lane) at the corner of the Fontanka River opposite the school, stood the apartment of Tchaikovsky's aunt on his mother's side, Yekaterina Alexeeva. Tchaikovsky remembered how his mother would often come there and wait at the window overlooking Kosoi Pereulok and while he would sneak into his bedroom at the school to watch her from his window. Two years later in June 1854 Tchaikovsky's mother died of cholera.

From the School of Jurisprudence, from which Tchaikovsky graduated in 1859, his path would take him through the streets crisscrossing Vasilievsky Island, to the homes of his relatives, and to Nevsky Prospect and the Alexandrinsky Theater. Later on, when he studied at the free music school and conservatory located in a wing of the Demidov mansion on the corner of Demidov Pereulok and the Moika River, his evening path would lead to Leshtukov Pereulok, where his father and brothers lived, or perhaps to the loge at the opera, where he saw the premiere of Serov's «Judith», or to Mikhailovsky Hall for a concert by the Russian Musical Society. In these years the future composer was absorbing the moods and forms that would later appear in both his most lyrical pieces (the «Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture» and «Eugene Onegin») and in his most tragic («The Queen of Spades» and the «Pathétique.» Symphony No. 6).

In the autumn of 1861 following his first journey abroad, Tchaikovsky wrote to his sister:

«You will not believe how deeply happy I was on returning to St. Petersburg! I admit I've got a very weak spot in my heart for the Russian capital. What can I do? It's too much a part of me. Everything I hold dear is in St. Petersburg, and for me there is positively no life outside of it.»

These words are often taken at face value. The renowned choreographer George Balanchine said,

«The essence of his music shows that Tchaikovsky was a Petersburger, in the way that Pushkin and Stravinsky were Petersburgers.».

Yet Tchaikovsky's devotion to Petersburg was only part of the story. For «authentic» Petersburgers, like the so-called «Mighty Handful» of Russian composers, Tchaikovsky was always a Muscovite. In the late 1850s to early1860s, the military engineer Cui, the provincial wunderkind Balakirev, chemist and physician Borodin, the civil servant Mussorgsky, and the future naval officer Rimsky-Korsakov had all come together accidentally but almost inevitably under the rubric of the «New Russian School» as it was dubbed by Stasov, the capital's intellectual doyen. They never connected with Tchaikovsky, who fell into the orbit of Anton Rubinstein, a star of musical life in St. Petersburg and founder of the first conservatory in Russia. Tchaikovsky with his reticence and preoccupation with music was attracted by Rubinstein's passion for community service and missionary ambition.

Moscow - city of Tchaikovsky

The encyclopedic knowledge of Rubinstein the musician went hand in hand with the limitations of Rubinstein the pedagogue. His ruminations on Mozart («Yes! Divine creativity, pierced through with light!») alternated with didactic lectures on Haydn («I hear him talking in Hungarian slang.»). The overture «The Storm» of 1864, in which Tchaikovsky used instruments banned in student compositions-the harp, English horn, tuba, and cymbals-left Rubinstein in a state of indignation. And when the overanxious student did not appear for his graduation concert, Rubinstein nearly withheld his diploma. But there were also moments of true admiration, as, for instance, in the case of the 200 counterpoint variations that Tchaikovsky brought one day as his homework. And most importantly, there was the recommendation to his brother, Nikolai Rubinstein, thanks to which Tchaikovsky received the post of professor at the newly opened Moscow Conservatory.

Coming after St. Petersburg's European architecture, mathematically aligned streets, decorative excess, and precise rules for both the «frozen» and «unfrozen» kinds of music, Moscow entered Tchaikovsky's life as a city that deviated from the rules.

In the maelstrom of Moscow life he experienced brilliant revelations, made deep attachments, and developed a loyal following.

There were also dangerous missteps arising from the illusions of art, such as his ill-advised marriage to Antonina Milyukova. Nevertheless, Moscow became the city where Tchaikovsky came into his own.

His work at the Moscow Conservatory was soothing and fostered the artist and critic in him given to passionate expression and trust in himself. Take for example his stubborn retort to Nikolai Rubinstein, who had pronounced his First Piano Concerto too complicated and awkward for the pianist. «The concerto is being printed," said Tchaikovsky, «in its present form.» It was Rubinstein who had to change his mind. Four years later he performed the concerto with great success. The St. Petersburg premiere of the work took place on November 1, 1875, at a symphony performance of the Russian Musical Society. Professor Gustav Kross was soloist and Eduard Nápravník conducted.

The most farsighted listener in the audience turned out to be an eighteen-year-old Muscovite named Sergei Taneyev, who announced in a letter to his friends: «I greet you all on the appearance of the first Russian piano concerto; it was written by Pyotr Ilyich.»

Tchaikovsky had been unable to compose in St. Petersburg, but in his twelve years of «artistic asylum» in Moscow he created numerous scores. In 1872-1873, in a house on Kudrinskaya Square (now the Tchaikovsky Cultural Center), he worked on his Second Symphony, the symphonic fantasy «The Storm», music for Alexander Ostrovsky's play «The Snow Maiden», and a series of other compositions.

The First Symphony, the operas «Voyevoda», «Vakula the Smith», and «Eugene Onegin», as well as sketches for the Fourth Symphony, were also written in Moscow.

Tchaikovsky's close circle included Nikolai Rubinstein, critic Nikolai Kashkin, cellist and conservatory official Konstantin Albrecht, music publisher Peter Yurgenson, and the young pianist and composer Sergei Taneyev. Beyond these, his larger circle included Alexander Ostrovsky, Lev Tolstoy, and performers at the Maly and Bolshoi theaters. To one of these, who was first to play the role of Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky gave a photograph of himself with the touching inscription, «To Pavel Akinfievich Khokhlov from the admiring subject of this portrait.» On March 18, 1958, on the day that the First International Tchaikovsky Competition opened, that portrait was printed in the newspapaer «Sovietskaya Kultura».

Musical ideas came to Tchaikovsky in Moscow with «the fresh force of a spiritual revelation». His music would now acquire multifaceted, vibrant, and bewitching forms under the influence of momentary impressions. The St. Petersburg publisher Bernard ordered a «four seasons» cycle for piano to be published in monthly installments in the magazine «Writer of Tales». This was a classic advertising ploy at the time and demanded punctuality rather than inspiration, but the composer did not limit himself to mere punctuality. Around the same time, Tchaikovsky began work on «Eugene Onegin», starting with Tatyana's «Letter Scene» (which he called «Tatyana and her nanny») although Tchaikovsky himself doubted the success of the «lyrical scenes," as he called Eugene Onegin. However, his doubts bore an odd mix of modesty and self-confidence:

«Whether I write well or poorly,» he said, «one thing is certain - that what I write comes from undeniable internal conviction.»

The candid feeling that Tchaikovsky put into his music is startling. People today take this as a challenge to esthetic standards. However, it was that very candour that drew Nadezhda von Meck, the widow of a railroad magnate, and Tchaikovsky together. Their exchange of letters went on for fourteen years, and von Meck's role in Tchaikovsky's life as his patron is well-known. Nadezhda von Meck's intercessions on the composer's behalf were beneficial for the composer's life and work, but they ultimately severed Tchaikovsky's ties with Moscow.

An artist on his own

In the last years of his life the composer was attached neither to Petersburg nor to Moscow. A «change of scene» became one of the important conditions for his work. From the mountains of Switzerland, Tchaikovsky was drawn to the plains of Italy, then back to Russia, and again abroad. His guiding principle became constant invigoration from new landscapes and emotions. But almost without knowing it, Tchaikovsky was also becoming attached to the hamlets of Maidanovo and Frolovskoe outside of Moscow. Yet in 1891 after a short trip to St. Petersburg, the composer admitted to his cousin Anna Merkling that

«It was such a pleasure to be in a city where you didn't have to visit or be visited by a soul and could be a tourist, a foreigner, freely sauntering along the ways and byways of the 'Palmyra of the North' [as St. Petersburg was called], which, incidentally, is surprisingly nice in the summertime.»

By this time, Tchaikovsky was already world-famous. He headed the Moscow branch of the Russian Musical Society, and Sergei Taneyev (dubbed «the musical conscience of Russia») had been appointed director of the Moscow Conservatory on his recommendation. Tchaikovsky's standing in St. Petersburg manifested itself in an imperial stipend, lobbied for by the director of the imperial theaters, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, and in regular opera and ballet premieres at the Mariinsky Theatre.

«It used to be that I was forced to plead, beg, and make intolerable visits to theatrical blabbermouths to see whether or not an opera would be accepted and performed. Now without anything in advance from me, both directorships, St. Petersburg's and Moscow's, are clamoring for my operas with a baffling urgency.»

Tchaikovsky's visits to the city on the Neva became shorter and more private. At the beginning of 1892, he settled eighty kilometers northwest of Moscow on the outskirts of Klin, where he rented a house from a local attorney. The composer's plan to purchase the dwelling was carried out after his death by his brother Modest. It now houses the State Museum of the Tchaikovsky Home in Klin.

«If God will prolong my life, I dream of living for four months a year in a furnished apartment in St. Petersburg and the rest of the time in my little home in Klin,» Tchaikovsky wrote to a close relative.

He lived just seventeen months after writing those lines. Tchaikovsky died on October 25, 1893, in his brother Modest's apartment in St. Petersburg at the corner of Malaya Morskaya and Gorokhovaya streets opposite the former mansion of Natalia Golitsyna, who had been the real-life prototype of the Countess in Pushkin's «The Queen of Spades». Several days earlier, on October 16, he had conducted the first performance of the Sixth Symphony about which critic Vladimir Stasov wrote: «It is nothing less than a terrifying cry of desperation and hopelessness, as if the melodies were saying, «Why did I live this life?».

The preoccupation with the abyss was woven deeply into Tchaikovsky's output, but that does not tell the whole story. In the beauty of former times, Tchaikovsky discerned the despair of emerging modernism. In the Russian idiom, he discerned the outlines of the pagan that would later be underscored in the music of Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Iolanta's blindness and vision are praised as the Light of Divine Creation, and the madness of Herman before his death in «The Queen of Spades» («What is our life, but a game!») was a new account of what Shakespeare formulated as: «All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.» Essentially, all of world culture, not only Russian, came under scrutiny in Tchaikovsky's art. Its inexhaustibility draws us to it as before, still speaking to our hearts and souls in the twenty-first century.