15 Online Competitions for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a middle school student looking to expand your knowledge and apply what you learn in school to new challenges, one option is to join an online competition. These competitions allow you to go beyond your school curriculum and learn in creative ways. Since these are online, you can take part from anywhere without interrupting your school routine. Many are designed by universities, organizations, or professional groups and focus on subjects like math, science, writing, technology, and the arts.
In these competitions, you may work on projects, present solutions, or submit entries that show your skills. Some involve teamwork, while others focus on individual performance. Taking part in online competitions can also help you prepare for future education and opportunities. By practicing research, problem-solving, and communication in a structured setting, you build habits that will make high school projects and future applications easier to handle.
With that, here are 15 online competitions for middle school students!
15 Online Competitions for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Over $100,000 in cash prizes are awarded annually. The Grand Prize winner receives $5,000; additional prizes are awarded to runners-up, honorable mentions, and teachers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; thousands of students participate nationwide. 150 student prizes and 53 teacher prizes are awarded.
Program Dates: September 9 – January 20
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 6–12. Students may compete individually or in teams of up to three.
StudentCam Competition is a national video documentary contest that challenges students to explore issues that connect their communities to the broader story of the United States. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s theme focuses on historical or contemporary topics related to the Declaration of Independence. You will create a five to six-minute documentary that includes relevant C-SPAN footage and clearly cited sources, either within the video or in the credits. The competition encourages critical thinking, storytelling, and civic engagement through media production.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Winners are published on the New York Times website and may receive recognition from editors and educators.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies widely by contest; thousands of students participate globally.
Dates: Multiple contests run throughout the school year, each with its own timeline
Application Deadline: Varies by contest; typically listed on the contest calendar.
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13 to 19 who are enrolled in middle or high school. International students are welcome.
The New York Times Learning Network Student Contest invites you to express your ideas through writing, photography, illustration, audio, and other creative formats. The Times hosts various contests throughout the year, each designed to help you reflect, create, and share your voice with a global audience. You decide what you want to say and how you want to say it. Contests are judged by Times journalists and guest experts, and winning entries are published online. You can enter as many contests as you like, with one submission per contest. Winners are announced one to two months after each deadline.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Grand Prize $6,000, HS Best in Show $3,000, MS Best in Show $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; no selection process. Finalists are chosen from all eligible submissions.
Dates: Finalists typically announced in mid-May; winners announced in early June
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students in grades 6–12 worldwide.
ARTEFFECT Competition invites young artists to honor individuals who have made a meaningful impact on others and helped shape history. Through original visual artwork, you are encouraged to explore how art can inspire change and celebrate stories that deserve more recognition. You can submit either 2D or 3D pieces, accompanied by a 500 to 1,000-word Impact Statement. This written component should explain the hero’s story, your creative process, and how you plan to share your artwork with others. The competition offers a grand prize of $6,000, along with new Spotlight Prizes in a media category that highlights selected formats and techniques.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. The top 8 teams receive national recognition; the champions are honored in the final round.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; no selection process. Teams of 4–5 students compete in round-robin and playoff formats.
Program Dates: May 30 (held annually on the last Saturday of May)
Application Deadline: Registration remains open until shortly before the competition
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
The National Biology Bowl is a team-based quiz competition focused on biology and life sciences. You compete in groups of four to five students, answering fast-paced questions across a wide range of topics, including cell biology, genetics, human physiology, animals, plants, evolution, behavior, and ecology. The event begins with round-robin matches, where teams face off to earn points and qualify for the next stage. The top eight teams then enter a single-elimination tournament to determine the overall winner.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Top-scoring teams receive international recognition and are listed on the official leaderboard.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; thousands of teams from over 50 countries participate annually
Program Dates: April 22 - May 1
Application Deadline: Registration typically closes a few days before the contest begins (around April 10)
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students worldwide
Purple Comet Math Meet is an international mathematics competition designed for middle and high school students. You participate as part of a team of one to six students, guided by an adult supervisor. The competition runs over a ten-day window, giving teams flexibility to choose when they compete. Middle school teams are given 60 minutes to solve 20 challenging math problems. The contest emphasizes collaboration, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving, making teamwork a central part of the experience. After the competition ends, participants receive certificates of merit or participation, recognizing their effort and achievement.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Over $20,000 in scholarships and awards is distributed annually. Winners receive cash prizes, publication opportunities, and global recognition.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; thousands of students from over 100 countries participate each year.
Program Dates: September 15 – June 8
Application Deadline: June 9
Eligibility: Open to students aged 11–18 worldwide. Participants may enter as individuals or as part of a group.
The Annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a global competition that invites students to explore environmental issues through creative work. You can submit individually or as part of a group in categories such as visual art, writing, film, music, or multimedia. This year’s theme focuses on how oceans sustain, inspire, and protect you and your community. The contest encourages you to speak up for climate action and environmental justice while building your portfolio and sharing your work with a worldwide audience. You will also strengthen communication and advocacy skills and discover new ways to get involved in protecting the planet.
Location: Virtual; winners are invited to a reception in Washington, DC
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Winning apps may be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the House of Representatives’ website.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by congressional district; each district selects one winner.
Dates: May 1 – October 30
Application Deadline: October 30
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students who are enrolled at the time of app submission. Students must either reside in or attend school in a participating congressional district.
Congressional App Challenge invites you to create your own original app while exploring coding, computer science, and STEM through hands-on learning. You can use any programming language, platform, or device to build your project and showcase your creativity. The challenge is open to middle and high school students across the country, with a focus on including students from communities that are underrepresented in technology. If you win, your app will be featured on the House of Representatives website and displayed at the United States Capitol. You will also receive a press release, waived copyright application fees, and an invitation to the House of Code reception in Washington.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. U.S. middle and high school students are eligible for prizes such as cash awards and recognition.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; no selection process. Thousands of students and teams participate worldwide.
Program Dates: March 7 to March 17
Application Deadline: No formal deadline. Registration remains open throughout the competition period.
Eligibility: Students aged 13+ with a picoCTF.org account, familiarity with programming may be helpful
PicoCTF is a cybersecurity competition created by experts at Carnegie Mellon University that challenges you to solve digital puzzles and explore computer security. You tackle capture the flag challenges that range from beginner to advanced, covering topics like cryptography, forensics, web exploitation, and general security skills. You register as an individual and can choose to compete solo or in a team of up to five. Before the competition, you can train using picoGym, which gives you access to past challenges and hands-on practice.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Winning photos are published in Ranger Rick magazine and featured on the National Wildlife Federation website.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open submission; winners are selected quarterly
Dates: Submissions are accepted year-round, and winners are chosen every three months
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; entries are accepted continuously
Eligibility: Open to children aged 13 or younger. Entrants must have parental or guardian permission.
Ranger Rick Photo Contest is a monthly nature photography competition for young students who enjoy capturing the outdoors. You can submit up to three original, nature-themed photos each month, whether it’s wildlife, landscapes, or other outdoor scenes, taken with a camera or phone. Winning entries are featured in the Recent Contest Winners slideshow on the contest homepage. From these online winners, a select few are chosen three times a year for the Magazine Award, which includes publication in Ranger Rick magazine, a certificate of recognition, and five copies of the issue featuring their photo.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: $30 per student. Scholarships are available to ensure access for all students. Winners receive cash prizes, certificates, and national recognition.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; all eligible students may participate. Finalists are selected based on project merit.
Program Dates: July 11–20
Application Deadline: June 22
Eligibility: Open to students in grades K–12 worldwide
National Innovator Challenge (NIC) is a nationwide competition that celebrates creative problem-solving among student innovators. You begin by identifying a challenge that matters to you, then design a unique solution, often in the form of a prototype or app that addresses it. The process is intentionally open-ended, encouraging you to think independently and experiment freely. As you build and test your idea, you document your journey in a logbook, prepare a presentation, and create a 60-second pitch video to showcase your project. Finalists are invited to a live virtual event where they present their work, receive feedback from judges, and take part in a celebration and awards ceremony.
Location: Virtual or in-person, depending on the regional coordinator
Cost/Prizes: $25 per team. Teams may spend up to $100 on materials for their physical model. Regional and national winners receive trophies, recognition, and potential STEM scholarships.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; all eligible teams may participate
Program Dates: September to January (regionals), February (nationals)
Application Deadline: Varies by region; typically in October. Teams must register early to meet local deliverable deadlines.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. middle school students in grades 6–8
Future City Competition is a nationwide challenge that invites middle school students to design sustainable cities set 100 years in the future. You’ll work as part of a team to imagine, research, and build a city that solves problems using science, technology, engineering, and math. Using recycled materials, you’ll create a physical model that reflects your city’s design and innovations. Along the way, you’ll strengthen skills in problem solving, teamwork, and time management. Your team will also submit a city essay of up to 1500 words, present your city in a seven-minute pitch to a panel of STEM professionals, and develop a project plan to stay organized throughout the process.
Location: Virtual; finalists present in person at Space Center Houston, Texas
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter during the Activation and Lean Canvas stages. Teams advancing to the Innovation Stage pay $499 per team. Winners receive cash prizes, scholarships, and global recognition.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access in early stages; finalists are selected based on project merit.
Program Dates: Summit April 22-25
Application Deadline: Registration typically closes in mid-October
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13–18 worldwide
Conrad Innovation Challenge is a global competition that empowers students to turn their STEM ideas into real-world solutions. Over several months, you will identify a problem, design an innovative solution, and refine your project through research, prototyping, and strategic planning. The challenge unfolds in three stages. In the Activation Stage, you get started by forming a team and selecting a challenge category.
During the Innovation Stage, you develop and improve your idea, preparing materials like business plans and pitch videos. Finalists are invited to the Innovation Summit, where you deliver power pitches to expert judges, present your work at the Public Expo, and take part in an Awards Ceremony. Finalists also gain access to opportunities at the space center, including networking, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge science and technology.
Location: Virtual; finalists travel to 3M Global Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. The Grand Prize winner receives $25,000, a special mentorship experience, and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” Finalists receive exclusive 3M mentorship, a trip to the final event, and national recognition.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; ten finalists are selected from nationwide video submissions.
Program Dates: Application Window: January 8 – May 1; Finalists Announced: June; Final Event: October at 3M Headquarters
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to legal U.S. residents in grades 5–8
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a leading science competition that invites students to solve real-world problems through innovation. You begin by developing a project that responds to a pre-selected challenge and submit a short video explaining your idea. The competition encourages creativity, collaboration, and project-based learning. Ten finalists are selected to present their work and participate in a series of scored challenges. These activities test your scientific thinking, communication skills, and ability to work under pressure. The top finalist is named America's Top Young Scientist and receives a cash prize of $25000.
14. eCYBERMISSION
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Regional winners receive up to $2,000 per student in savings bonds; national winners receive up to $5,000 per student and an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Judging & Educational Event (NJ&EE).
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; thousands of teams participate nationwide. Finalists are selected based on project merit.
Program Dates: August 13 – June 26; Mission Folder Submission Deadline: March 4; Regional Winners Announced: April; National Event: June 23–26
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 6–9
eCYBERMISSION is a national STEM competition that challenges students to apply science, technology, engineering, and math to real-world problems in their communities. As a participant, you choose between two paths: identifying a local issue or developing a solution to one. This structure encourages you to think critically, engage with your surroundings, and take initiative. Teams consist of two to four students and an adult supervisor. Throughout the process, you receive support from STEM professionals who offer guidance and feedback. All projects are submitted online and reviewed by judges who provid e written evaluations to help you improve and reflect on your work. Winners are selected at the local, regional, and national levels based on grade.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Winners receive cash prizes, up to $5,000 for students and $500 for teachers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; thousands of students participate nationwide. Finalists are selected based on the quality of their Challenge 1 submissions.
Program Dates: Challenge 1: September 15 – December 15; Challenge 2 (Finalists Only): February – March
Application Deadline: Registration closes December 7, submissions due December 15
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 6–8
The Hardest Math Problem Student Contest is an annual competition that challenges students to apply grade-level math and writing skills to solve real-world problems. Hosted by The Actuarial Foundation, the Institute of Competition Sciences, and the New York Life Foundation, the contest is designed to strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking. You will work through two rounds. In Challenge 1, all participants tackle a math-based scenario and submit a written explanation of their solution. Finalists from this round advance to Challenge 2, which presents a more complex problem requiring deeper analysis and communication.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Congressional App Challenge logo