15 Science Challenges for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 15 min read
If you are a high schooler who enjoys scientific problem-solving, STEM research fairs, innovation contests, STEM competitions, and other such challenges can be accessible ways to test your skills and tackle real questions. Challenges let you apply your school learning and critical thinking abilities to problems, explore interdisciplinary fields, and build practical skills for both college and professional life. As a participant, you will work individually or with other high schoolers to solve problems, conduct experiments, present independent research, or build prototypes.
Why should I participate in a science challenge in high school?
Science challenges can introduce you to subject areas and topics rarely covered in high school and also offer opportunities to develop skills in research, design, social impact, and critical thinking. As a result, these opportunities can prepare you for advanced coursework in specialized fields, professional internships, and college-level research.
Participating in well-known science contests and competitions can also be a strong addition to college applications. Winning an advanced competition in your intended field of study can clearly demonstrate your abilities. The experience will help you build a creative problem-solving mindset that can serve you in college and beyond. Finally, as many science challenges are structured around project submissions, your work can be used for supplemental research, engineering, or architecture portfolios, which can help you build your college application materials and expand your extracurricular involvement early on.
In this blog, we have reviewed 15 science challenges for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 challenges span experimental research, entrepreneurship, conservation, genetics, app development, physics, engineering design, and science communication, so students with a wide range of scientific interests can find a relevant competition to enter.
Most challenges are free to enter, including Regeneron ISEF, Regeneron STS, Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Genes in Space, NASA TechRise, and Congressional App Challenge, while others, such as Conrad Challenge and National Innovator Challenge, charge small fees per team or student.
Prizes vary widely across competitions, from scholarships of up to $250,000 (Regeneron STS) and $100,000 (Regeneron ISEF, Davidson Fellows), to funded international travel (Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Conrad Challenge), to having an experiment launched aboard the International Space Station (Genes in Space).
Challenges range in difficulty from beginner-friendly options, such as Breakthrough Junior Challenge and AAPT Physics Photo Contest, to highly advanced research competitions, such as Regeneron STS and Davidson Fellows, so students at any experience level can find a suitable entry point.
Many competitions run on a fall or winter submission cycle, with deadlines including Regeneron STS (November 5), ASHRAE Design Competition (November 30), and Davidson Fellows (February 18), so students should begin developing their projects well before the application window opens.
ISEF is a competitive high school science fair that recognizes high school students for their research. You will need to qualify through an affiliated local or state science fair and win first place (with potential for additional slots in larger regions). Once at ISEF, you will present your work to leading academic researchers and industry scientists, receiving detailed feedback while being considered for prizes of up to $100,000. Spanning 22 competitive categories, the contest lets you submit research work in a discipline of choice, with options ranging from animal sciences to embedded systems to translational medicine. The challenge also offers access to career and college workshops, networking sessions, and colloquia on specialized topics in science.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: Wide range of awards across categories: Fair-wide Grand Awards/cash prizes range from $600 to $100,000, plus special prizes such as fully funded travel to Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden
Cost: Free
Competition dates: One week in MayRegistration deadline: Entries to be submitted by your qualifying fair’s director; dates vary, but fairs must be held on or before April 13 for finalists to be eligible. Projects requiring special approval must be submitted to the affiliated fair director by February 15.
Location: Varies yearly; last event held in Phoenix, AZ
Eligibility: High school students; participants must qualify through an affiliated regional science fair; dates and processes vary by area.
The Regeneron STS invites high schoolers to submit original research in a chosen scientific area. As part of your application, you will submit an independent research project you've conducted, along with essays and materials that judges use to evaluate your scientific thinking and potential. If you're selected as one of the Top 40 finalists, you will travel to Washington, D.C. for Finals Week, where you will present your research at a public exhibition and go through further judging before winners are announced at an awards ceremony. Beyond the prize money, the competition connects you with a network of fellow young researchers and past alumni, some of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and other major honors in their scientific careers.
Difficulty level: Highly competitive/Advanced
Prizes: $3.1 million in awards distributed annually; the top prize is $250,000, with additional awards for the Top 40 finalists and Top 300 scholars
Cost: Free
Competition dates: Application period: June 1 – November 5; Top 300 Scholars announced: January 7; Top 40 Finalists announced: January 21; Finals Week: March 11 – 17
Registration deadline: November 5
Location: Washington, D.C. (finals week)
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Diamond Challenge Competition is an opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded high school scientists to develop a product or business. You can choose to compete in either the Business Innovation or Social Innovation track, working to meet a consumer need or address a social issue, respectively. You will move through a series of competitive stages, progressing from an early conceptual value proposal and business model to a technical pitch deck with a clear prototype and plan for business sustainability. In the final round, you will attend the Limitless World Summit to deliver a live presentation to a judging panel. Past finalists have created science-driven products such as wearable injury-prevention and detection devices, multisensory VR platforms for medical applications, and Internet of Things units to streamline warehouse processes.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: 1st Place: $12,000 | Second Place: $8,000 | 3rd Place: $4,500; corporate-sponsored special awards are also available at varying amounts.
Cost: Free
Competition dates: Submission and pitching rounds: January 14 – March 9; Finalists announcement: March 9; Limitless World Summit: April 29 – 30
Registration deadline: January 14; submission round opens on September 16
Location: Virtual preliminary rounds + Limitless World Summit at the University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 – 18; teams must consist of 2 to 4 students and one adult advisor who is 21+
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship is a selective award recognizing high school student projects with the potential for substantial social impact. With Fellowships offered in Science, Engineering, and Technology, the Davidson Scholarship can be a worthwhile science challenge to pursue if you are working on a high-impact research project or a scientific innovation. You will submit your work, which must be a single project, and wait for it to be reviewed by a panel of judges, who are professionals from diverse fields. Prior winners have focused on scientific developments such as a microbial bioremediation system for plastic waste, brain-controlled assistive technologies, bioengineering cryobacteria to reverse climate change, and more. Awards include scholarships of up to $100,000. Fellowships are also given for student achievement in Mathematics, Music, Literature, Philosophy, and cross-disciplinary “Outside the Box” projects. All projects are expected to be at or near college graduate-level quality.
Difficulty Level: Advanced/competitive
Prizes: Scholarships of $25,000 – $100,000
Cost: None
Competition dates: Awardees announced: July; Ceremony: September
Registration deadline: February 18
Location: Virtual competition + in-person awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Students who are 18 or younger by the application deadline, are U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. or permanent residents in the country or overseas due to active U.S. military duty; students may submit individually or in a two-person team.
Merging science, entrepreneurship, and social impact, the Conrad Challenge offers high schoolers an opportunity to develop solutions to pressing global problems. You will identify a global issue within one of five target areas: Energy and Environment, Cyber Technology and Security, Aerospace and Aviation, Health and Nutrition, and The Water Challenge, and develop a STEM-driven solution. For your initial submission, you will identify a specialized challenge within your chosen track and design a pitch on your business model and scientific solution. You will then aim to progress through the increasingly competitive Activation and Innovation Stages, working on project briefs, videos, and preliminary designs or prototypes as your project takes shape. If you are selected to join a small group of finalists, you will be invited to the Innovation Summit, where you will deliver a slide deck “Power Pitch” to a panel of expert judges and demo your innovation. You will tour the Houston Space Center, network with leaders in scientific industries, and be considered for prizes, including academic scholarships and international travel.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: A fully funded international trip to visit STEM institutions + networking opportunities with industry figures + patent support from IP attorneys + academic scholarships
Cost: $499/team per stage
Competition dates: Activation Stage: August – October; Innovation Stage: October – January; Power Pitch/Summit: Four days in April; Initial Submission: Late October; Innovation Stage Materials: Early January; Finalist Materials: Early AprilRegistration deadline: Typically, fall; Check website for updates; Financial Aid Applications: Early December
Location: Virtual international competition + Innovation Summit in Houston, TX
Eligibility: Teams of 2 – 5 students, ages 13 – 18; teams must have a coach aged 18+
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international award for high schoolers and rising undergraduates, serving as a science challenge focused on water research. You will develop a research-based solution to tackle a major water challenge, such as pollution, water management, or wastewater treatment, using innovative approaches merging technology, social sciences, and/or natural sciences. You will first participate in a national round, competing for nomination to the international award. If nominated, you will travel to Stockholm, where your project will be evaluated alongside other national winners by a global panel of water research experts. If you are named the winner, you will receive $15,000 and a crystal sculpture offered by the Crown Princess of Sweden!
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: $15,000 scholarship, crystal sculpture, and a fully-funded trip to World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden
Cost: None
Competition dates: Spring contests (dates vary by country) + Royal Award Ceremony: August 25Registration deadline: Varies by country
Location: Virtual competition; award ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 20, competing individually or in pairs
Genes in Space is a science challenge for high school students interested in genetics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy. You will work independently or with a partner to develop a project studying the human genome and space exploration. You will identify an open question in space biology, develop a research question, and design a research approach drawing from technologies in the ISS’s Genes in Space toolkit. From the pool of submissions, five finalists will be selected to receive mentorship from prestigious scientists, attend a Space Biology Camp in the fall, and compete for the Grand Prize. If you secure the Grand Prize, you will travel to the Kennedy Space Center, where your experiment will be launched into space and conducted on the International Space Station. You will also tour aerospace facilities, see real spacecraft and launch systems, and network with researchers from NASA, Boeing, and more.
Difficulty level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prizes: Grand Prize: Experiment launched and completed aboard the ISS; 5 Finalists and 20 other students get recognition and awards, including Honorable Mentions, Constellation Awards, and Junior Scientist Awards, which include a miniPCR DNA Discovery System.
Cost: None
Competition dates: Submission: January – April 10; Winners announced: May; Mentorship and Space Biology Camp: Fall; ISS Launch: Check website for updates
Registration deadline: April 10
Location: Virtual submission + finals round: Houston, TXEligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who attend a U.S. public, private, or home school within the U.S. or its territories.
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon is a science challenge that challenges high schoolers to develop STEM-based conservation initiatives. To participate in this competition, you will begin by enrolling and securing a place in a state or regional contest; the top performers may then compete at the global round. At each stage, you will address a provided environmental concern by developing a locally grounded strategic solution. You will then deliver a presentation on your proposal to a panel of judges. In the second portion of the competition, you will participate in hands-on field-based assignments, demonstrating your knowledge of topics across ecology, wildlife, forestry, and other related areas. In the six-day international round, you will research the competition topic, participate in training sessions, network, and attend college and career fairs in addition to the competitive events.
Difficulty Level: State/Regional: Intermediate to Advanced | Global: Advanced
Prizes: Grand Prizes (top 3 teams): ~$30,000; monetary prizes/scholarships and Special Awards (Oral presentations, field-based assignment categories) for Top 10 teams Cost: Varies by location; current global registration fee is $2,300 + additional fees for lodging and other optional events/expenses.
Competition dates: State/Regional events vary; Global round: Six days during the summer (typically July)Registration deadline: Varies by location and year
Location: Multiple states/regions; Global round location varies each year (last event held in Mississippi)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9 – 12 or international equivalent), ages 14 – 19 from the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge requires students to create a short video that explains a challenging scientific concept in a simple, engaging way. You will research a topic in the life sciences, physics, or math and explain it in a short, original video of up to two minutes, using demonstrations, animation, or creative storytelling techniques. The schedule includes a peer-to-peer review stage in which students will assess each other’s submissions. The overall judging in the rounds following the peer review will focus on criteria such as engagement, creativity, illumination, and difficulty, evaluating whether your video is accurate, clear, and well-explained. Winners will get scholarships and prizes for their schools and teachers. The experience can help you build skills in research, science communication, and multimedia production.
Difficulty level: Beginner-friendly
Prizes: $250,000 post-secondary scholarship for the student, + $50,000 for the teacher who inspired the student, + $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab for the winner’s school
Cost: Free to enter
Competition dates: Submission window: May 11 – September 15; Peer-to-peer review: September 17 – 30; Administrative review: October 1 – 3; Evaluation panel review: October 4 – 25; Verification of finalists: October 26 – November 18; Popular vote challenge: November 24 – December 9; Announcement of finalists: December 10; Announcement of winner: Check website for updates
Registration deadline: September 15 (application + submission)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18, from around the world
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition is a science challenge geared towards students interested in business and sustainability. You will develop a business proposal for addressing one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, creating a science-driven solution to challenges in areas such as Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Good Health and Well-Being, and Climate Action. After completing two online courses, you will submit a detailed pitch to the competition in preparation for preliminary voting. The top 10 teams after the voting phase will be named finalists. In the finals, you will have your work reviewed by an international judging panel consisting of social entrepreneurs, researchers, and non-profit directors. You will be considered for international awards based on the vision, innovation, impact, and feasibility of your proposal.
Difficulty level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prizes: Certificates
Cost: Free
Competition dates: Submission and voting phase: March 2 – June 5; Announcement of winners: June 23
Registration deadline: May 4
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
The National Innovator Challenge requires high school students to develop an innovation addressing a social and/or market need in healthcare, tech, education, and/or the environment. You will work on developing an invention while tracking your research and development process, which you will submit alongside a slide deck, pitch video, and prototype. If you qualify for the final round, you will deliver a live presentation demonstrating the value and innovation of your project. Former award-winning projects include health tracking and illness detection devices, AI-powered apps, assistive technology, and more.
Difficulty level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prizes: Feedback, certificate, science kits, and access to various events; check details here
Cost: $30/student
Dates: Competition: Two weekends in July; Awards Ceremony: One-day event in late July
Registration deadline: June 19
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students in K–12; high schoolers are evaluated in the grades 7 – 12 category.
The ASHRAE High School Design Competition is an opportunity to solve a challenge using visual arts and science. Each year, the competition provides a professional-style brief for a building-wide HVAC system, where students are tasked with developing a comprehensive design proposal tailored to specific “client” needs. You will analyze factors such as the local climate, energy needs, building structure, and differential room temperature requirements to create a highly specialized proposal. Your submission will include a graphic model of the entire building and proposed installation, mathematical documentation of your energy and sizing calculations, and a written report on your process. Drawing from the fields of physics, engineering, environmental science, architecture, and industrial design, this interdisciplinary challenge lets you practice design, systematic problem-solving, and brief adherence.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: 1st place: $1,000; 2nd place: $500; 3rd place: $300; winners also receive a certificate and recognition in the Insights publication.
Cost: None
Competition dates: Competition opens: August 11; Submission deadline: December 30; Winners announced: March 1
Registration deadline: November 30
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Teams of 1 to 5 students, ages 13 – 18
In NASA’s TechRise Competition, you will work with a small team of peers to develop a science or technology experiment focused on space and aeronautics over the course of a semester. After you submit your project, your work will be reviewed by scientists and engineers from NASA and the aviation industry. If you are one of the top 60 teams, you will work with NASA staff to formalize your project, which will be launched in a flight test on a suborbital spacecraft or high-altitude balloon. You will also receive $1,500 if you are one of the winners. Potential research focus areas range from radiation to acoustic levitation to biomedical sensors.
Difficulty level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prizes: $1,500 and NASA mentorship/technical support to build and execute the invention, which will be launched in a NASA flight test.
Cost: Free
Dates: Check website for updates; Winners announced in JulyRegistration deadline: Check website for updates; registration opens in SeptemberLocation: Virtual competition; in-person flight testEligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12 attending public, private, or charter schools in the U.S. or its territories; an educator mentor is required for participation.
Organized by the U.S. federal government, the Congressional App Challenge is a national science competition for high schoolers skilled in computer science and programming. You will develop an original app using programming languages and a theme of your choice, preferably for an educational and/or socially focused platform. You’ll compete within your congressional district; the top app from each district will be selected based on technical skill, creativity, and community impact. If you are selected from your district, you will be honored at the U.S. Capitol during the #HouseOfCode event, where your app will be displayed to peers, policymakers, and corporate sponsors. Through this experience, you will have the chance to get an inside look into the federal government, network with political and industry figures, and receive nationwide publicity for your programming skills.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Prizes: National online recognition, physical certificate/trophy presented at the #HouseOfCode event in Washington, D.C., and other recognition opportunities. Special awards are also awarded (e.g., Most Impactful or Most Technically Complex)
Cost: None
Competition dates: App building phase: May – October 26; Judging period: November; Winners announced: December
Registration deadline: October 26 (app submission deadline)
Location: Virtual + final event in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Current middle and high school students who are U.S. residents competing individually or in teams of 2 to 4. Individual participants must participate from the district they reside in or attend school in, and for teams, at least half of the participants must reside within their chosen district.
The AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest is an international science challenge for students interested in both STEM and the visual arts. You will capture photographs illustrating a natural (fully observable) or contrived (arranged or engineered) phenomenon. Alongside your photo, you will submit a written description analyzing the physics behind your image. If your entry is among the top 100 photos, it will be displayed at the AAPT Summer Meeting for further evaluation by physics teachers. The top 5 photographs in each category will win cash prizes.
Difficulty level: Beginner to Intermediate
Prizes: Monetary awards of $50–$100 + certificates; teachers of winning students receive a $100 Vernier gift certificate and a certificate each.
Cost: $10/photo for non-members | $5/photo for members
Competition dates: Submission window: March 2 – May 15; Judging phase: August 2 – 6
Registration deadline: May 15Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; only 15 submissions accepted/school
Frequently asked questions
What science challenges are available for high school students?
Options include research competitions, such as Regeneron ISEF and Regeneron STS, entrepreneurship and innovation challenges, such as Diamond Challenge, Conrad Challenge, and National Innovator Challenge, environmental and conservation competitions, such as NCF-Envirothon and Stockholm Junior Water Prize, STEM-specific challenges, such as Genes in Space and NASA TechRise, and creative STEM challenges, such as Breakthrough Junior Challenge and AAPT Physics Photo Contest.
Are there free science challenges for high school students?
Yes, several competitions are free to enter, including Regeneron ISEF, Regeneron STS, Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Genes in Space, NASA TechRise, Congressional App Challenge, Davidson Fellows, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, and Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition.
Which science challenges are best for beginners?
Breakthrough Junior Challenge, AAPT Physics Photo Contest, and Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition are accessible starting points that do not require prior research experience or advanced technical skills.
Which competitions offer the largest prizes for high school students?
Regeneron STS offers up to $250,000, Breakthrough Junior Challenge awards a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, Davidson Fellows offers scholarships between $25,000 and $100,000, and Regeneron ISEF distributes prizes ranging from $600 to $100,000 across categories.
Which science challenges allow students to work in teams?
Diamond Challenge, Conrad Challenge, NCF-Envirothon, NASA TechRise, and Congressional App Challenge all support team participation, while competitions, such as Regeneron STS and Davidson Fellows, are primarily for individual submissions or two-person teams.
When should I start preparing for science challenges?
Students aiming for Regeneron ISEF should begin their qualifying fair projects by early fall, Regeneron STS applications open June 1, ASHRAE Design Competition opens in August, and NASA TechRise registration opens in September, so most competitions require students to begin planning and developing projects several months before the submission deadline.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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 program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.