7 Science Contests for High School Students
STEM subjects are at the peak of their popularity among young college applicants. Of course, you have to show a high GPA, theoretical knowledge, and readiness to work hard. If you are thinking about enrolling in a STEM major after you graduate high school, you should know about the power of science contests. The competitions are not only a way to get hands-on experience but also to shine your breakthrough ideas.
The success in a STEM field is not determined by one parameter. You can be one of the most brilliant minds who is doomed to stay in shadow because you can’t step out of your comfort zone. Participating in a research competition introduces you to a practical side of your knowledge area and gives you a chance to build your network. It is one of the ways to learn how to deal with the real-life workload of the research activities.
While you join the world of competitions, you learn how to manage your time effectively. It is a matter of distributing your homework assignment, daily routines, and contest tasks. If you’re overworked, it comes in handy to try assistance services like WritePaper.com, scheduling and planning with detailed to-do lists, and avoid procrastinating. It can seem impossible, but it is manageable with the right approach and outside help.
If you are still not convinced that competition can be useful, think about how they can boost your confidence. Your participation shows that you are proactive and ready to lead your research field. It also doesn’t hurt when you’re getting gold medals and first place certificates when you are engaged with projects.
Envirothon
The Envirothon is North America’s largest environmental sciences competition.
Who can participate?
- Students of 9-12 grades and 14-19 years old from the US, Canada, and China.
The contest offers environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving and leadership experience. It incorporates STEM principles and experimental learning with hands-on outdoor field experiences.
You are encouraged to take part if you are passionate about the following areas:
- Aquatic Ecology,
- Forestry,
- Wildlife,
- Current Environmental Issues.
The Envirothon offers you tools and methods to foster your knowledge and future research.
The contest is held in summer, and you would have five days to work in teams at different training and testing stations. The prize is scholarship and recognition for your resource management and environmental sciences achievements.
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)
Intel ISEF is the world’s largest pre-college science competition.
Who can participate?
- Students in 9-12 grades or equivalents.
What makes Intel ISEF a unique competition, it has 21 categories to enter. No student is left behind, and everyone is encouraged to join their field of interest.
The categories include:
- Animal Sciences (ANIM),
- Biochemistry (BCHM),
- Cellular and Molecular Biology (CELL),
- Embedded Systems (EBED),
- Mathematics (MATH),
- Translational Medical Science (TMED).
ISEF offers three places for each category, with awards ranging from $3k to $500. The Special Awards program offers tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and research equipment. Intel ISEF is a perfect boost for your career, confidence, and research skills.
Google Science Fair
It is an online science competition where students from all over the globe can enter a contest and work for an award. Of course it is a dream to join the fair for tech geeks.
Who can participate?
- All 13-18 years old students from all countries.
You can work in a team or individually on creating a research proposal and subsequently conducting research. At the same time, Google Science Fair offers you to submit projects in the language of your choice.
The main categories of the contest include:
- Computer Sciences and Math,
- Energy and Space,
- Behavioral and Social Sciences,
- Robotics,
- Food Sciences.
The competition provides you with the possibility of winning scholarship funding. At the same time, each category offers a unique set of prizes and benefits for your research career. Having such a competition in your resume highlights your chances to get into the college of your dreams.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
It is a program developed to support and encourage youth to participate in research and education.
Who can participate?
- Students under the age of 18 in various categories and subprograms.
The program is divided into several subcategories so students can enter the level of their competence. Participants get all tools and extra resources to shine with their ideas.
The categories of the competition include:
- Technology,
- Engineering,
- Mathematics,
- Literature,
- Music,
- Philosophy,
- Outside the Box.
The winners of the program can receive scholarships funding from $50k to $10k. Other participants also get special recognition for their achievements that benefit them in their academic careers.
International BioGENEius Challenge
This program focuses on healthcare, food sciences, clean technology, and environmental issues.
Who can participate?
- 9-12 Grade students from the US, Canada, and Germany.
The contest provides youth with tools and possibilities to advance their research skills. You get a helping hand from the industry leaders and brightest minds to compete for global improvement.
The main categories include:
- Healthcare,
- Sustainability (Agriculture),
- Environmental Sciences,
The winners receive cash prizes and international recognition with the opportunity to take their projects to the next step. In comparison to other challenges, BioGENEius doesn’t offer large financial prizes. Yet, it is the perfect opportunity to enrich your network. If you are interested in contributing to bio-sciences, you should try this one out.
Conrad Challenge
The Conrad Challenge exposes you to global and relevant problems and the creation of their solutions. It is a team-oriented program, so if you’re introverted, prepare yourself.
Who can participate?
- 13-18 years old Students from the US.
You get to work in a team of 2-5 colleagues under the guidance of an adult coach to create a product or service to address the theme. It provides you with the possibility to make a change and contribute to the field.
The main challenge categories include:
- Aerospace & Aviation,
- Cyber-Technology & Security,
- Energy & Environment,
- Health & Nutrition.
The finalists receive a year’s scholarship from $25k to $2.5k. This is an excellent chance for students to get support for their future studies and think about areas where they want to invest in this grant.
National Science Bowl
This one is a middle and high school science knowledge competition that encourages youth to be engaged in academia from early on. It is a US contest where youth from various states can apply to compete in a group of four.
Who can participate?
- Students in 6-12 grades.
In comparison to other challenges and contests, Science Bowl has an examination form to test students’ knowledge.
The main categories for high school level are:
- Chemistry,
- Earth and Space Science,
- Energy,
- Mathematics,
- Physics,
The categories for middle school students are:
- Life Science,
- Physical Science,
- Energy,
- Mathematics,
- Earth and Space Science.
It is one of the oldest forms of competition, but it doesn’t mean it’s boring to be there. You can test your teamwork skills and answer questions related to your area of interest. If you win, you will help your school to receive funding and have equipment and classrooms.
Wrapping Up
The opportunities for challenges, quizzes, and contests are endless. There are hundreds of foundations and events held both online and offline that want youth to participate. You can always look for local initiatives or join online fairs if you’re unsure about traveling across the country.
Success is always a mix of hard work and sometimes luck. So don’t hold yourself back, manage your study routines, and enter a contest that would help your interest area.
“Pop culture advocate. Troublemaker. Friendly student. Proud problem solver.”
:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/BNGH73UCKQAZSQPCODUWO2BE5Y.jpg)
