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Contests and Awards

How can you find a contest that suits you?  It's easier than you think.  Use your favorite Internet search engine, and search on a couple words.  If you live in Alabama, and taking pictures, you might search on  "contest 2007 photography Alabama."  Today, that search results in the Outdoor Alabama 2007 Photo Contest.  Perfect!  Or perhaps you'd prefer a national essay contest, but you're not sure what topic you'd like to write about.  I might search on "national essay contest."  In the first page of results, I've found National Peace Essay Contest, Holocaust Remembrance Project, and Idea of America among others.  Do you have some unique characteristic?  Perhaps you are deaf -- search on "contest 2007 deaf" and find the Galludet 2007 Essay, Art & Sign Contest.

It's easy to find a contest that suits you!

Contests Resources

IEA Gifted Resource Center Contest, Award & Scholarship Search

 

Academic Competitions Imagine, Vol. 7, No. 1

SET (Study of Exceptional Talent) competition list...
 

Academic Competitions for Gifted Students: A Resource Book for Teachers and Parents by Mary Tallent-Runnels and Ann Candler-Lotven

Lists available competitions, with focus on academics, characteristics of good competitions, and useful tips on selecting the right competitions make it unique and valuable. In addition, helps parents and teachers minimize problems and maximize benefits of academic competitions for gifted learners...
 

Competitions for Talented Kids: Win Scholarships, Big Prize Money, And Recognition by Frances A. Karnes and Tracy L. Riley

Comprehensive up-to-date listing of national competitions available for students...
 

National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) through its National Committee on Student Contests and Activities
 

NHS and NJHS Student Contests and Activities and NHS and NJHS Scholarship and Awards

National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society

Contests

2006 National High School Essay Contest

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wants to know what YOU THINK about the role of the Foreign Service and its members in today's world! All students in grades nine through 12 attending a public, private, parochial school, home school or participating in a high school correspondence program in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories, or, if they are U.S. citizens attending schools overseas, are eligible
 

Academic Games Leagues of America (AGLOA)

National academic games tournament for students in grades 4-12...
 

ACM - ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest

International programming contest for college studnets!
 

Amazing Kids

Website dedicated to inspiring excellence in children, by uncovering the potential within each child providing them with the tools to nurture their unique talents, including access to a mentor, and inspiring them to pursue excellence in their endeavors and to become lifelong achievers.  Includes Amazing Kids! of the Month program, and "My Amazing Future" essay contest...
 

American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program

open to high school seniors in the United States who plan to further their education at a college/university or certified trade school in the United States. You must be a high school senior during the 2006-2007 school year who will attend a college/university or trade school in the United States starting with the fall 2007 semester.  Read the "Fire Sprinkler Essay" (approximately 3000 words) about automatic fire sprinklers and take a ten-question multiple-choice test!
 

The American Foreign Service Association's National High School Essay Contest

Students are asked to write a 750 to a 1000 word essay on role of the United States Foreign Service and its members in the world today. They are to analyze and explain how the members of the Foreign Service promote United States national interests by participating in the resolution of today's major international problems
 

American Regions Mathematics League

Annual national mathematics competition. High school students form teams of 15 to represent their city, state, county or school and compete against the best in the from the United States and Canada...
 

American Mathematics Competitions

Junior (grade 6 - 8) and senior high school tests, preliminary to the International Mathematical Olympiad (registration through October for November testing)
 

Ayn Rand Essay Contests

Annual essay contests for a variety of levels: Anthem essay contest for 9th and 10th graders, on Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem; The Fountainhead essay contest for 11th and 12th graders, on Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead; Atlas Shrugged essay contest for college students, on Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged
 

A Better Earth Institute for Humane Studies, George Mason University

Promotes innovative thinking about how we can achieve a world that is peaceful, prosperous and free.  Annual essay contest for college students.  2006 deadline extended to December 15th!
 

Canadian Computing Competitions

All grades (registration by January for March preliminary and April finals contest)
 

Canadian Open Mathematics Competitions

9th, 10th and 11th grade tests, preliminary to the University of Waterloo Mathematics Contests Seminar (registration by November 20 for February testing)
 

Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship

This prestigious award for gifted 7th graders offers high school scholarship support, academic guidance and the opportunity to develop lifelong connections with a unique peer network.  Scholarship for High School ... Caroline D. Bradley Scholars receive a four-year high school scholarship that covers academic fees, including tuition and books.  Plus Guidance and a Peer Network...
 

Christopher Columbus Awards (middle school)

"We are challenging you to use your imagination and creativity to make your community a better place to live. We think you have what it takes to identify a problem, look into it, come up with an innovative solution, refine the solution...and have fun doing it!"
 

Collegiate Inventors Competition  

Encourages students to use their creativity, imagination and mechanical abilities, plus their science and technology background, to solve problems
 

CyberFair

Students conduct research about their local communities and then publish their findings on the World Wide Web. Recognition is given to schools for the best projects in each of eight categories: local leaders, businesses, community organizations, historical landmarks, environment, music, art, and local specialties
 

Davidson Fellows

To recognize outstanding achievements of young people who can demonstrate the development of their talents with a significant piece of work... currently available in Science, Technology, Mathematics, Humanities, and “Out of the Box”
 

Doors to Diplomacy

The U. S. Department of State sponsors the "Doors to Diplomacy" educational challenge to encourage middle school and high school students around the world to produce web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy...
 

EDUCATES National High School Essay Contest

“How should the US approach the issue of UN reform?”  The UNA-USA National High School Essay Contest is open to all US students in grades 9-12
 

Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Annual essay contest for undergraduate juniors and seniors, to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting you in today's complex world...
 

First Freedom Student Competition

A national essay contest, offering high-school students an opportunity to compete for cash awards, as they examine religious freedom, its history, current importance, and relevance in their lives...
 

Foundations for Life

Invites young people to reflect on specific quotations and express in their own words what their Foundations for Life are. The program enables students to think about the values that will guide them the rest of their lives, with the option of using a challenging and engaging composition activity that emphasizes a process approach to writing.  Divisions for high school, middle school and elementary school students.
 

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

honors outstanding young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Barron Prize winners receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education.  Nomination deadline is April 30th every year. To nominate or for more information, visit Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes or email ba_richman@barronprize.org
 

Guardian Girls Going Places Scholarship Awards

National search to find girls ages 12-16 who are showing the potential today to excel tomorrow...
 

Guideposts Sweet 16 Scholarship Contest

True stories by real teen girls just like you. Now here’s your chance to write your own . . . and score a sweet chunk of change for your college fund! Prizes range from $500 to $16,000. (Christian magazine)
 

Holocaust Remembrance Project

National essay contest for high school students in the U.S. and Mexico
 

Idea of America We the People, National Endowment for the Humanities

Annual essay contest for high school juniors.  2006 topic: The First Amendment
 

iLiberty Essay Contest Institute for Humane Studies, George Mason University

The iLiberty essay contest is open to all full time students OR anyone 25 years of age or younger
 

Institute for Global Environmental Studies (IGES)

Annual art, scholars, photo, and other student programs, for elementary, middle and high school students
 

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)

the Olympics, the World Cup and the World Series of science competitions
 

Intel Science Talent Search (previously known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search)

America's oldest and most highly regarded pre-college science contest.  Eligible students include high school seniors in the United States and territories, and American students attending school abroad
 

International Mathematical Olympiad

Held annually in over 80 countries...
 

IPP Puzzle Design Competition

to promote and recognize innovative new designs of mechanical puzzles
 

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Seeking jargon-free writing and fresh approaches to Jane Austen
 

JMW Publishing Poetry Contest

Free poetry contest with cash awards and possible publication in our nationally distributed Prominent Voices in Poetry anthology series...
 

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Write a compelling essay on the meaning of political courage, and to learn about and be inspired by America's elected officials, past or present, who have tried to make a difference in the world.  For high school students
 

Kate Harper Designs Greeting Card "Kid Quotes" Contest

Kate Harper Designs, a greeting card publisher in Berkeley California is seeking submissions for their "Kid Quote" Greeting Card Line. They sell to over 2,000 stores, including Whole Foods Markets and Papyrus. The "Kid Quote"
greeting cards express the wit and wisdom of children and their view of the world.  For contest guidelines, e-mail kateharp@aol.com with the subject: Send Kid Guidelines
 

Kids Are Authors

Kids Are Authors is an annual competition open to Grades K–8 and is designed to encourage students to use their reading, writing, and artistic skills to create their own books (Scholastic)
 

Kids Philosophy Slam 

An annual program designed to make philosophy fun and accessible to all kids in grades K—12, as well as to help promote critical thinking skills and encourage dialogue with other students and adults.  Each grade level has its own national winner, and the top four high school students debate the question at the national finals...
 

Knowledge Master

Knowledge Master empowers students to build a broad knowledge base while implementing higher cognitive skills and critical-thinking abilities, with 135,000 short-answer and multiple-choice questions referenced to 14,000 topics, covering virtually everything in a quality curriculum through the secondary level.  Also includes Knowledge Master Open and Knowledge Bowl Academic Events...
 

Laws of Life

The Laws of Life Essay Contest is special because the program emphasizes reflection and writing. The contest encourages students to think about the people and experiences that have helped to shape their values. It challenges them to take a stand for what they believe in. Unlike most essay contests, this contest doesn’t tell young people what to write about. There is no prescribed topic students have to address. They just have to write from the heart. Regional contests for all ages
 

Lemelson-MIT Program's Invention Apprenticeship

Granted to an outstanding American high school student showing special achievement and promise in invention and innovation
 

Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams High School Invention Grants

Inspiring a new generation of inventors.  A national grants initiative to foster inventiveness among high school students. InvenTeams composed of high school students, teachers and mentors are asked to collaboratively identify a problem that they want to solve, research the problem, and then develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. Grants of up to $10,000 support each team's efforts. InvenTeams are encouraged to work with community partners, specifically the potential beneficiaries of their invention...
 

Lincoln & the Gettysburg Address "A New Birth of Freedom"

An essay contest for middle & high school students, deadline March 1, 2005. To commemorate the opening of the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois, on April 19, 2005, C-SPAN and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are asking students to read and consider the sentiments expressed in the Gettysburg Address. In the speech, Lincoln asked his audience to resolve that the country "...shall have a new birth of freedom...." Students are invited to write and submit an essay not to exceed 272 words (the same number of words in the Gettysburg Address) with their own thoughts about "a new birth of freedom" in the 21st century.
 

Let's Get Real

A competition and an opportunity for teams of students, grades 6 - 12, to gain experience working on real business problems (now nationwide!) No registration fee
 

Lucent Global Science Scholars Program

Recognizes and rewards students who have made significant achievements in math and science (U.S. high school seniors, or first year university students outside the U.S.)
 

Mandelbrot Competition 

The best round by round math contest in the United States. (At least according to a recent survey of its editors.) In a nutshell, here's why: the goal of the contest is to introduce high school students of all ability levels to accessible new topics in mathematics while providing stimulating, challenging problems to stretch the best students in the country (no calculus)...
 

MathCounts

7th and 8th grade, schools only (registration by November (late: January) for competition in February (local), March (state) and May (national)). There are lots of (free) interesting problems on the warm-ups, workouts, & stretches available on their problem-solving page
 

Math League Contests

4th grade to high school (registration varies by level)
 

MoleClues

The Molecular Frontiers Inquiring Prize will be awarded to those who ask the best questions about molecules! If you are up to 17 years old, you have the chance of winning - just for asking a question!  The deadline for submissions in the first round is May 7 2008; winners will be annnounced May 31.  Sponsored and run by Molecular Frontiers Foundation, several top scientists, including no less the nine Nobel Prize Winners (!) representing in many different countries all over the world
 

MSU Space Cowboys Middle School Launch Challenge

A contest for middle school students (6-8th grades) to design, build, test, and fly a rocket with a scientific payload to 800 ft. AGL. This contest is designed to introduce middle school students to not only rocketry, but to aspects of mission planning and teamwork coming together to achieve a successful mission. Flight reviews, budgeting, scheduling, logistics, teamwork, and safety are all important key topics (in addition to the vehicle and its flight) that will addressed in this competition... Entry Forms Due February 1, 2008
 

MTNA Music Teachers National Association Student Competitions

Students ages 11-26 in various categories, whose teachers are current members of MTNA...
 

MyParkPhotos.org Annual Scholarship Competition

All high school, college and university students are welcome to participate in our annual scholarship competition! If you are a beginning or amateur student photographer and searching for scholarships to help with tuition for college or photography workshops, please participate in our tuition scholarship photography contest!
 

Nation Student Writing Contest

We're looking for original, thoughtful, provocative student voices to tell us what issue is of most concern to their generation.  Open to students at American high schools and to undergraduates at American colleges and universities
 

National Culinary Challenge

With four divisions, the National Culinary Challenge gives students of all ages the opportunity to see if you have what it takes to be a chef.  High school graduates, describe your vision for a restaurant and submit it along with a recipe and photo of your "signature dish." High school seniors, submit a dinner or dessert recipe.  High school sophomores and juniors, use their creativity and culinary flair to design and prepare an original gingerbread house.  Middle school students, create a healthy recipe reflecting someone's heritage
 

National Geographic Bee

Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge...
 

National History Day Contest

Students in grades 6-12 engage in discovery and interpretation of historical topics related to an annual theme. In the process, they hone their talents and produce creative and scholarly projects in the form of exhibits, documentaries, historical papers, or performances
 

National Peace Essay Contest

For high school students...
 

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars

NSCS and its partners offer a variety of scholarships to support members' undergraduate and graduate studies. Check back often as different opportunities are available throughout the year...
 

National Vocabulary Championship - Win with Words

Annual National Vocabulary Championship is open to all eligible students who are in grades 9-12 and between the ages of 13-19. Enter the competition by taking the In-School Qualifying Exam or the National Qualifying Exam...
 

Neuroscience for Kids Writing Contest

Students in grades K-12 are invited.  All poems, limericks and haiku must have at least 3 lines and cannot be longer than 10 lines. All material must have a neuroscience theme such as brain anatomy (a part of the brain), brain function (memory, language, emotions, movement, etc.), drug abuse or brain health (helmets, brain disorders, etc.)
 

Newsday

Have your students ever created a newspaper of their own? Would they like to?
 

Online Math League

Math competition for students in grades 3-12. School teams, homeschool teams, and individuals are all eligible to join. Awards are given to high-scoring teams and individuals...
 

Pedagoguery Software: Tess Contest

Download Pedagoguery's Tessellation software, explore and experiment, and create your own Tessellations - one winner each year!  Deadline May 15th...
 

Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest

High school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Starting in early 2006, schools in each state capital region will participate in classroom and schoolwide contests, advancing to state competitions next April...
 

PopSci/Instructables "Use It Again" Contest

In honor of our new How 2.0 group on Instructables—the place to be for the coolest step-by-step DIY guides on the Web—we're launching what will likely be the first of many contests. And we're definitely kicking things off right—the winner will bag a new Canon 8-megapixel digital SLR and have their project featured in the How 2.0 section of an upcoming issue of PopSci!!
 

Portraits of Learning

Photos, which may be submitted "as is" or manipulated using photo editing software, must be accompanied by a short description of how they reflect the theme of this year's contest: "My Personal Universe." Prizes will be awarded both to winning students and to their schools
 

Ralph Waldo Emerson Prize sponsored by The Concord Review, Inc.

The $3,000 Emerson Prize is awarded annually to students published in The Concord Review during the previous year who have shown outstanding academic promise in history at the high school level...
 

Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge

Curriculum-based vocabulary words are presented in context; clever categories and humorous multiple-choice answers keep students engaged and challenged.  For schools, grades 4 to 8.  Scholarships and more...
 

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Students in grades 7 - 12 in the U.S., U.S. Territories, U.S.-sponsored schools abroad, and Canadian students in equivalent grade levels, are eligible.  More than 600 Art awards and 300 writing awards are presented annually on the national level.  Winners may receive cash awards, scholarships, certificates, and publishing and exhibition opportunities...
 

Scholastic Kids Games & Contests

Various contests for kids in elementary grades
 

Scripps-Howard Spelling Bee

Including word lists and local competitions
 

ShillerMath Rising Star Scholarship

Are you a registered Girl Scout?  Plan to graduate high school two years from now?  Plan to study college-level mathematics after high school graduation?  If so, apply for SchillerMath Rising Star Scholarships.  Together we are working to acknowledge outstanding performance and potential in math and the sciences by Girl Scouts, by awarding four scholarships and six runner-up prizes each year for the next five years (2005 through 2009)
 

Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement

For students, teachers and high schools, recognizing the outstanding work of students in AP science and mathematics courses.  In conjunction with College Board Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement.  Students must take all 7 AP exams by the end fo their junior year of high school...
 

Siemens Westinghouse Competition

Open to all senior high school students who would like to submit an original science and math research project. Enter as an individual (if you will be a senior in September), or as part of a team of two or three students...
 

Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest

"Why free news media are important" An essay contest to increase high school student's knowledge and understanding of the importance of the Free Media to our lives.  All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in public, private and home schools
 

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards

Honoring the best in student journalism, the awards offer 39 categories for print, radio, television, and online collegiate journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. Regional award winners will be honored at the spring regional conferences. First place regional winners are forwarded on to the national competition. National winners will be honored at the 2007 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. The contest is open to anyone enrolled in a college or university and studying for an academic degree in 2006
 

Sudoku National Championship

The Philadelphia Inquirer hosts the first U.S. Sudoku championship October 19 through 21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia...
 

Team America Rocketry Challenge

A national model rocket competition for U.S. high school and middle school students...
 

Think Out Loud - The Center for Gifted Studies public relations contest (click on link, then What's New, then Think Out Loud

Help The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University educate others about the needs of children who are gifted and talented.  Grades 4-6 - Middle School - High School - College.  Participants may work individually or as part of a team. Only one entry per category per student.  Contest Categories: Video - Illustrated Slogan.  The goal is to increase the awareness of needs of children and youth who are gifted and talented!  All entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2007
 

ThinkQuest

Annual international contest for students 12 - 19 years old, and a junior contest for grades 4-6
 

TOYchallenge

A national toy design challenge for 5th-8th graders...
 

USA Computing Olympiad  

USACO supports pre-college computing around the world through computer programming competition, to qualify for the computer science equivalent of the Int'l Math Olympiad.  Click for excellent training materials...
 

USA Mathematical Talent Search NSA / CSS

Free (except for the cost of postage to mail student's solutions) mathematics competition open to all United States high school students...
 

WordMasters Challenge

National competition for students in grades 3-8 and 9-12, encourages growth in vocabulary and verbal reasoning...
 

A World Connected Institute for Humane Studies, George Mason University

Promotes innovative thinking about how we can achieve a world that is peaceful, prosperous and free.  Annual essay contest for college students.  Fall 2006 topic: Foreign Aid and Development
 

World of Escher Contest

Tessellation is a combination of mathematics and artistic ability.  Do you have what it takes? Compete with entries from all over the world. See your work displayed on the Internet. Win prizes.  Each entry will be judged individually, and a winner will be announced. There will be prizes for each winner from our online store.  All winners will be included in our "Hall of Fame"
 

Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) Competition

Offers college scholarship awards to high school juniors and seniors who conduct outstanding research projects that apply epidemiological methods of analysis to a health-related issue...
 

updated May 02, 2008