Opportunities to present your research and learn what other middle and high school students are working on
Note: This list does not aim to be exhaustive.
Compete for recognition at regional, national, and international levels
| Competition | Description | Format | Ages/Level | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IYPT (International Young Physicists' Tournament) | Teams solve 17 open-ended physics problems and defend solutions in "Physics Fights" | Team | High School | Website |
USIYPT (US Invitational Young Physicists Tournament) | U.S. version: 2-day tournament with 4 physics problems; school-based teams | Team | High School | Website |
iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) | Teams design and build biological systems using synthetic biology | Team | High School & College | Website |
Regeneron ISEF | International pre-college STEM competition; 500,000+ students participate in affiliated fairs worldwide | Individual/Team | Grades 9-12 | Website |
Regeneron STS (Science Talent Search) | U.S. research competition for seniors; application-based, no fair required | Individual | Seniors only | Website |
EUCYS (EU Contest for Young Scientists) | European research contest; entry via winning national competition | Individual/Team | Ages 14-20 | Website |
JSHS (Junior Science and Humanities Symposium) | U.S. DoD-sponsored research competition with regional symposia | Individual | Grades 9-12 | Website |
SJWP (Stockholm Junior Water Prize) | Prestigious international environmental science competition for water-related research projects | Individual/Team | Ages 15-20 | Website |
Competitive exhibitions where research projects are presented, judged, and observed
| Fair | Location | When | Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
Terra North Jersey STEM Fair | Union | March | Warren, Hunterdon, Sussex, Somerset, Passaic, Morris, Union, Essex, Middlesex, Bergen Counties |
Hudson County STEM Showcase | Jersey City | March | Hudson County |
Mercer Science and Engineering Fair | Princeton | March | Mercer County |
Many fairs are affiliated with ISEF, meaning winners can advance to state and international levels. Other independent fairs offer additional opportunities to present research.
Present your research to peers and professionals in non-competitive academic conference settings
| Conference | Description | Ages/Level | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
Society of Teen Scientists Annual Meeting | Annual conference for teen researchers to present and network | Ages 13-19 | Website |
AJAS (American Junior Academy of Science) | Present at AAAS annual meeting alongside professional scientists; invitation via state academy | High School | Website |
Florida STEM Symposium | 3-day conference with non-competitive presentation sessions | Grades 9-12 | Website |
| Competition | Description | Ages/Level | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
The Sounds of Science | Song & Music Contest. Music videos, original compositions, derivative work, raps. At SoTS Annual Meeting. | Ages 13-19 | Website |
Laughing Matter | Science Comedy Contest. Stand-up, sketches, satire. At SoTS Annual Meeting. | Ages 13-19 | Website |
Science Illustrated | Visual Arts Contest. Digital art, crafts, jewelry, drawings, paintings. At SoTS Annual Meeting. | Ages 13-19 | Website |
Science 2050 | Writing Contest. Essays on real-world science problems and grounded sci-fi. At SoTS Annual Meeting. | Ages 13-19 | Website |
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards | Science fiction/fantasy writing and visual arts | Grades 7-12 | Website |
Science Without Borders® Challenge | Visual art on ocean conservation themes | Ages 11-19 | Website |
NASA Student Art Contest | Visual art on aeronautics, exploration, and science | Grades K-12 | Website |
| Competition | Description | Ages/Level | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
Conrad Challenge | Year-long innovation competition; teams develop solutions to global challenges | Ages 13-18 | Website |