7 Virtual Science Competitions for High School Students
If you're a high school student passionate about science, virtual science competitions are an excellent way to engage with the subject. These competitions enable you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges from the comfort of your home. Participating in virtual competitions hones your leadership and project management skills while also fostering collaboration with peers worldwide.
In this list, we have highlighted 7 of the best virtual science competitions for high school students.
1. Congressional App Challenge
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle or high school students who are residents of a participating congressional district can participate. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four students, in which at least two students must reside or attend school in the district.
Deadlines: October 24, 2024.
Dates: October 25 - November 2024 is the judging period and the results will be announced in December.
Cost & Prizes: No cost to participate. Winning apps can be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives website. Winners are also invited to attend a reception on Capitol Hill and may be awarded additional sponsor prizes.
The Congressional App Challenge is a district-wide competition organized by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. This competition provides a unique platform for students to advance their coding skills and leverage their technical knowledge to create impactful applications. Participants are tasked with designing and developing their own innovative mobile or web apps, addressing the complexities of computer science and problem-solving along the way. The challenge promotes the use of technology to solve real-world issues.
Winners of the Congressional App Challenge gain significant recognition for their coding skills and have the opportunity to present their applications to members of Congress and the broader tech community. Prizes for the winners often include scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and invitations to various tech events. Winning this prestigious competition is a testament to a student’s ability to use technology for positive change. Additionally, presenting their apps to lawmakers and industry experts helps to enhance their profiles within the tech and innovation sectors.
Check this guide out on how to win the Congressional App Challenge!
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: All high school students studying in the US and Canada can participate.
Deadlines: February 7 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: Applications are typically due in January. Regional winners are typically announced by April and national winners by May. The ExploraVision Awards Weekend is typically held in June.
Cost & Prizes: There is no cost to participate. Winners will receive:
Up to $240,000 in savings bonds ($10,000 savings bond for each first-place team member and $5,000 savings bond for each second-place team member)
An expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, in June for the ExploraVision Awards Weekend (for the the student and one parent/guardian)
A technology/science-related gift for each regional winning student
The ExploraVision challenge, organized by Toshiba and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), is a prestigious competition aimed at inspiring high school students to solve real-world problems using STEM. Since its inception in 1992, this challenge has attracted over 450,000 students nationwide. Each year, thousands of teams compete, but only four teams per grade category achieve first place.
Teams of 2-4 students are required to choose a current technology, research its potential advancements, and project its applications and impact over the next ten years. Participants draw from various STEM fields such as physics, technology, and artificial intelligence to present their innovative concepts. Projects must include detailed development steps, benefits, potential drawbacks, and anticipated challenges of the proposed technology.
For inspiration, past projects have showcased a wide range of creative and forward-thinking solutions. This competition not only highlights students' research and presentation skills but also promotes teamwork and critical thinking.
To learn more about the ExploraVision challenge and explore past entries, check out this detailed dive into the competition.
3. The Plant the Moon Challenge (PTMC)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students from all over the world can participate.
Deadlines: Applications typically close in September.
Dates: No specified final competition date; however, program materials are available from August 1, 2024.
Cost & Prizes: Team registration fee of $405 covering up to 10 students and one kit. The cost of any supplemental materials used by teams is not covered. Best in Show Awards are given at the end of the competition.
In this innovative competition, teams conduct a global science experiment to explore crop cultivation using simulated lunar or Martian soil. Each team receives a 5kg bag of soil simulant, a pH meter, ten KN95 masks, ten pots, and access to the PTMC guide.
Comprising up to 10 students, teams apply the scientific method and design process over a 10-week period, after which they submit their project reports. These reports contribute valuable insights into sustainable food sources for space missions. Additionally, all participants have the chance to attend a virtual symposium featuring NASA scientists.
4. American Computer Science League (ACSL)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, or high school students can apply. Please ensure your school has registered for the competition.
Deadline: December 31 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: Tentatively,
Contest 1: November 1, 2023 to January 14
Contest 2: January 2, 2024 to March 3
Contest 3: February 5, 2024 to April 7
Contest 4: March 11, 2024 to May 12
Cost & Prizes: Registration cost for the first team in a Division is $150 ($100 for the Elementary Division), while additional teams in a Division are $75 each ($50 each for the Elementary Division). Each team is allowed a maximum of 12 students. Prizes for this competition have not been disclosed.
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) has been a leading organizer of computer programming and science contests for K-12 schools worldwide for 46 years. In the previous season, nearly 8,000 students from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia participated in these competitions.
The ACSL season comprises four online contests that assess core computer science concepts, covering topics such as Number Systems and Digital Electronics. Advanced divisions include programming challenges in languages like Python, C++, or Java. For an in-depth look at this competition, check out our comprehensive guide here.
Check out our complete guide to ACSL!
Location: Virtual
Eligibility:
Must be 16 or older.
Maximum four (4) members per team
Deadline: January 24 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: Tentatively,
Qualifying: Build the Future with AI (Oct 16 - Jan 24)
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Submissions (Jan 26 - Feb 9)
Semifinals: Accelerate Your Growth (Feb 23 - April 12)
World Championship: Showcase Your Business Globally (April 26 - Build)
Microsoft Build (May 21 - 23, 2024)
Cost & Prizes: There is no cost. Each winning team is awarded $100,000, as well as mentorship from Microsoft experts and grant money.
This competition aims to recognize the most innovative, accessible, groundbreaking, and appealing software developed using Microsoft tools and technology. The competition's structure may vary based on the country or region you are representing, so be sure to read the specific rules for your local area.
This is a team-based event where you can choose between the AI, Social Impact, or Mixed Reality Streams. In these streams, you will need to design and propose a technological project that addresses a relevant issue. Besides utilizing Microsoft tools and technology, you'll also need to hone your skills in UI and UX design.
Here's a comprehensive guide to help you win the Microsoft Imagine Cup!
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: All high school students under the age of 18, who reside in the US can apply
Deadlines: Submit your applications by February 14 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: Results will be announced by July
Cost & Prizes: There is no cost to participate. Cash prizes of up to $50,000 and the title of a 'Davidson Fellow'.
The Davidson Institute's prestigious Fellows Program is an annual initiative designed to recognize and support high-achieving students in STEM. This program targets the brightest young minds, offering substantial awards of up to $50,000 to winning teams. These funds can be utilized to further research or assist in academic endeavors. To apply, students must submit original work that meets one or more of the following criteria:
An exceptionally creative application of existing knowledge
A new idea with significant impact
An innovative solution with broad implications
An important advancement that can be replicated and built upon
An interdisciplinary discovery
A prodigious performance
Another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment
Applicants must form teams of no more than two students, and their submissions should demonstrate a depth of understanding and quality of presentation akin to college graduate-level work. The program welcomes applications across various subjects, with specific guidelines provided for science submissions.
Being named a Davidson Fellow is a distinguished honor, setting students apart from their peers by showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. This recognition carries significant prestige and can greatly enhance a student's academic and professional trajectory.
For more information on why you should consider applying for this competition, check out this detailed article.
7. Technovation Coding Competition for Girls
Location: Virtual
Eligibility:
Must identify as female, translate, nonbinary or gender nonconforming.
All participants must be between 8-18 years old.
Teams should be composed of 105 students. You can only join 1 team.
Deadlines: March 13 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Dates: April to October
Cost & Prizes: There is no cost to participate. Awards of up to $30,000 are available in cash and prizes.
Every year, girls worldwide take on the challenge of addressing community issues through technology with Technovation Girls. This program has empowered over 39,000 girls from more than 100 countries to create apps that tackle local problems.
In this competition, you'll collaborate in a team to identify a pressing local issue and develop a technological solution. With guidance from volunteer mentors, you'll connect with a local Chapter or Club Ambassador to work on your app. Technovation emphasizes the implementation of the app, facilitating connections with local community leaders to bring your project to fruition.
You can read more about the submission guidelines here.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Congressional App Challenge Logo