5 Stem Competitions High Schoolers Should Consider

Students with a passion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) work tirelessly in classes, but it can be difficult for STEM students to take their knowledge beyond the classroom to show colleges their proficiency in ways other than a letter grade.  

This is where STEM competitions come in: here, you can cooperate and compete with other STEM-minded peers, hone your applied skills and ingenuity with high rewards on the line, and show colleges exactly what you’re made of! Even if you don’t win, you’ll show the colleges that you have a deep interest in STEM subjects and are a curious and motivated person. Below are five of many highly-qualified STEM competitions you'll want to keep your eyes on:

1. The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is one of the oldest, most prestigious STEM competitions in the nation. Exclusively for high school seniors and aimed at searching for the “nation’s most promising young scientists,” Regeneron STS asks participants to conduct an independent research project and submit it for entry, with winners receiving cash awards and membership in scientific societies. Every year, Regeneron STS recognizes 300 of its nearly 2,000 entrants as Regeneron STS Scholars, each of whom receives $2,000. Out of those Scholars, 40 Regeneron STS Finalists are also chosen, who receive at least $25,000 and a trip to the Regeneron Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C. to show their research to thousands of visitors, including well-known figures in STEM and government fields. The top 10 then receive additional funding, with the first place winner earning a whopping $250,000—the largest academic prize in the nation that a high school student can receive. 

   The 2020 deadline is November 12, with its application and rules posted on its website.

2. ExploraVision is a national team-based competition sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) geared towards all ages -- from kindergarten to twelfth grade -- in which groups collaborate on STEM projects for submission. Each age group has different project requirements, but the overarching goal remains the same: study any technology, then thoroughly predict what that technology may become twenty years in the future. True to its name, ExploraVision encourages students to develop and prove themselves as STEM visionaries and to do so together (with a sponsoring teacher)! Winners receive cash prizes, with $10,000 gifted to each student in the top four teams, and the top eight teams are considered National Finalists, receiving an all expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the ExploraVision Awards Weekend.

   Applications are due February 8, 2021.

3. BioGENEius Challenges is a competition for all high school students with multiple levels that students must challenge—local or at-large, then national—before they can compete on the international level against other bright STEM-oriented minds. Students must conduct scientific research projects in one of three tracks: Global Healthcare (medical biotechnology), Global Sustainability (agricultural biotechnology), and Global Environment (industrial/environmental biotechnology). Pioneers in each industry judge these students’ projects, provide expert feedback, and decide which projects will progress to the national, and then international, competition level. Innovation is the core purpose of the BioGENEius Challenges, and this innovation is rewarded with top honors!

   Applications for the local and at-large levels change each year and depend on the individual area; check your state or locality and the relevant year for more information.

4. The American Regions Math League (ARML) is an international (yes, despite the American in its name) mathematics competition for high school students. A combined variety of individual and team rounds decide which students leave with a small cash prize and a much larger honor. Students form teams of 15 under coaches, requiring high collaboration to win the prize. The competition events are extensive, including proof-oriented questions, relay rounds, a team round, an individual round, and a super relay.

   The 2021 ARML is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, registration details pending.

5. The Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge is another national project-driven STEM competition focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship. Geared towards students from ages 13 to 18, the Conrad Challenge encourages students, under the mentorship of teachers and other experts in the relevant industries, to critically think and solve global issues. The Conrad Challenge is a great place to both hone and test your scientific skills; it advertises itself as a “master class” that will give students “skills needed to thrive in the 21st century workforce.” Winners are awarded with patent and business support, as well as financial awards.

   Registration for the Conrad Challenge opens annually in August; the student guide can be found here.

Don't let your passion for STEM stop in the classroom. Go out and compete—whatever the result, you'll always come out of the experience with a better idea of your future career goals, greater teamwork and critical skills, and insight into your specific skillset and preferences in the broad category that is STEM. Colleges will appreciate that you're taking STEM beyond schoolwork—and if you finish at the top, that's just icing on the cake.