15 STEM Contests for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 18
- 12 min read
MD: Explore 15 thrilling STEM contests designed for middle school students! Challenge yourself, win prizes, and ignite your passion for science and technology.
If you are a middle school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, you can consider participating in a STEM competition. STEM competitions are a strong and beneficial way to challenge yourself and try out what you’ve learned practically. You’ll get to work on fundamental problems, develop new skills, and see how experts and other students approach the same challenges.
Competitions are also a smart move if you want to build a strong high school profile. The best contests are rigorous, selective, and sometimes offer you prizes and recognition. You can meet other students who share your interests, connect with mentors, and gain experiences that go beyond what you do in class.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 STEM competitions for middle school students!
15 STEM Contests for Middle School Students
Location: Takes place virtually, with national finalists invited to the National Judging & Educational Event (NJ&EE) in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Offers savings bonds of up to $10,000.
Dates: Runs typically around spring until early summer
Application Deadline: Team registration ends by early January, with submissions due in March
Eligibility: Open to grades 6-9 in the U.S. and U.S. territories with teams of 2-4 plus an adult advisor.
eCYBERMISSION is a free, virtual STEM competition for middle school students. Through the program, you work on a team to identify a problem in your community and propose a scientific inquiry or engineering design project to solve it. You submit an online report detailing your research, experiment, design, data, and solution. You’ll focus on real-world problem solving and civic impact while developing skills in research, experimentation, and teamwork. Volunteer STEM professionals guide you through the process, and winners can earn monetary awards at the state, regional, and national levels, along with mentorship opportunities.
Location: Varies per level, while the national competition is typically held in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Registration fees vary, ranging from $40 for early bird registrations to $80 for non-school competitors (NSCs)
Dates: Chapter competitions take place in February, state competitions in March, and the national competition takes place in May
Application Deadline: Registrations start in the fall, and selections start in November
Eligibility: Middle school students representing schools or clubs
MATHCOUNTS is a national math competition for middle school students that strengthens problem-solving, reasoning, and teamwork through four rounds. The Sprint Round has 30 problems in 40 minutes without a calculator, testing speed and accuracy. The Target Round features 8 multi-step problems with calculators, focusing on deeper reasoning.
In the Team Round, groups of four solve 10 problems collaboratively, highlighting strategy and communication. The Countdown Round is a head-to-head oral match with a 45-second limit per question, building quick recall and confidence. Topics span algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and applied math. At the national level, you also receive mentorship, work on real-world challenges, and present solutions publicly.
Location: Regional competitions held nationwide, with the finals in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Free to participate, finalists get an all-expenses-paid trip to D.C., and winners get trophies, medals, certificates, and science trips.
Dates: Regional events take place from January to March, with the finals around late April or early May.
Application Deadline: Registration varies by region, but is typically from October to December.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. middle schoolers.
National Science Bowl is a fast-paced, quiz-bowl style STEM competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. You compete with a team of four students in Q&A rounds covering a wide range of science and math topics. You can represent your school in regional competitions, and if your team advances, you’ll compete at the national level in Washington, D.C. The competition tests your teamwork, quick recall, critical thinking, and strategy under pressure. It’s a strong way to gain national recognition in STEM.
Location: Administered through registered schools or contest managers, may also take place virtually through MAA-approved platforms
Cost/Prizes: Registration is done through schools or contest managers, typically $25 for a bundle of 10 students
Dates: Annual window, competition week is in January, while registration deadlines are typically in the fall or winter
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and can be as late as January
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 and below
The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute multiple-choice competition that covers middle school math topics such as counting, probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, geometry, spatial visualization, and interpreting graphs or tables. It serves as an entry point into math contests, helping you build problem-solving and analytical skills in a low-pressure setting. For many students, it reduces the intimidation of competition and provides a nationally recognized introduction to math contests. Top scorers often continue to higher-level AMC exams like the AMC 10 and AMC 12..
Location: Hosted at local and regional venues, with the national tournament held at a rotating university campus
Cost/Prizes: Team membership registration fees at typically around $175
Dates: The National tournament is held annually in May
Application Deadline: Varies by state or region, typically opens in early fall
Eligibility: Open to schools assembling teams of grades 6-9
Science Olympiad Division B is a team-based STEM tournament for middle school students, covering 23 events across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering. Teams of up to 15 students pair off to compete in six 50-minute blocks in a single day. Events range from design challenges and lab experiments to written exams. Examples include Circuit Lab (electricity and magnetism), Codebusters (cryptography), Experimental Design (on-site experiment creation), and Machines (levers and mechanics). You’ll practice technical writing, data analysis, prototyping, and scientific reasoning, with some events requiring pre-built devices that are tested during competition.
Location: Submissions are made virtually, with the top teams invited to the Technovation World Summit. The location for the summit varies year by year.
Cost/Prizes: Free to participate. Offers scholarships and seed funding for winning teams.
Dates: Judging runs from May to June, with the finalists announced around June or July
Application Deadline: Registrations end in January, with the deadline for submissions around April or May
Eligibility: Open globally to girls aged 8 to 18.
Technovation Girls is a global tech entrepreneurship challenge for girls where you can develop skills in coding, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and confidence. In a team of up to five, you’ll create a mobile app or AI-based solution to address a real-world community problem. You’ll submit an app prototype, a pitch video, and a business plan. Technovation lets you explore the social impact of STEM while gaining hands-on experience in tech innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s competitive but provides a strong introduction to real-world tech projects.
Location: Virtual, runs through a web-based simulator
Cost/Prizes: Participation is completely free; prizes are not specified
Dates: Typically runs from June to August, with flexible participation options available
Application Deadline: Applications open in the spring
Eligibility: Must consist of 5-25 middle school students with an adult advisor
Zero Robotics is a space-focused programming competition for middle school students. You work on a team to write code that controls NASA’s Astrobee robots aboard the International Space Station. Using a web-based simulator that mirrors the ISS environment, you develop autonomous strategies to navigate obstacles, manage resources, and optimize mission performance. Each season is based on a real NASA research problem. You’ll program using a graphical interface and C-based code, applying concepts like control structures, logic, functions, and optimization algorithms. You simulate your code, test it, refine it, and submit it for review. Finalists have their programs executed live on the ISS, with results broadcast globally.
Location: Virtual submissions with the awarding held at Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter. Commonly, finalists are awarded with U.S. Savings Bonds of up to $10,000, with Toshiba products, and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Dates: Project proposal judgements are made in the spring, and the finals are held around June.
Application Deadline: The project deadline is typically around the end of January or February
Eligibility: Open to K-12 students in the U.S. and Canada
ExploraVision is a science competition where you work in a team to develop a detailed proposal for a technology that could exist 20 years from now. You research a current technology, identify its limitations, and imagine how it might evolve. Your team submits a written report that includes an abstract, the present technology, its history, your envisioned future version, and the scientific breakthroughs needed to achieve it. You also create five sample web pages to visually show your concept, simulating how it could appear online. Throughout the project, you build skills in scientific research, technical writing, creative problem-solving, and long-term thinking. If you reach the finalist stage, you receive mentorship, refine your project, and present it to judges and peers.
Location: Regional competitions take place across the country, with the national finals taking place in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Costs around $25 per organization with local regional fees. National winners are offered scholarships, trophies, medals, and special awards from different affiliated organizations.
Dates: Regional competitions start in January, and the finals take place in February
Application Deadline: Typically, registrations end in October
Eligibility: Open to grades 6-8 in the U.S. and abroad where partner regions exist
Future City is an engineering competition where you and your middle school team design a city of the future that solves a real-world sustainability challenge. Your team completes four deliverables: a virtual city simulation using SimCity, a 1,500-word essay explaining your design and innovations, a physical scale model made from recycled materials, and a live presentation to judges. You apply the engineering design process to tackle issues like energy efficiency, waste reduction, transportation, and public health. You’ll build skills in systems thinking, urban planning, model construction, and technical writing, while also practicing teamwork, project management, and oral communication
10. Broadcom MASTERS
Location: Finalist week held in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; finalists receive $500 and compete for $5,000–$25,000 in awards.
Dates: Applications open February–June; aligned with affiliated fair seasons
Deadline: Students must be nominated by a Society-affiliated science fair before applying
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 6–8 who place in the top 10% at a Society-affiliated regional or state science fair
Broadcom MASTERS is a national STEM competition for middle school students built around original science and engineering projects. To apply, you submit an online application with your project write-up, essays, and reflections on your research process. The competition looks closely at how deeply you explored your topic, how creative your approach was, and how clearly you can explain your work. If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll take part in a week-long event that mixes team challenges with individual presentations. Team challenges might include engineering design problems, coding tasks, or data analysis puzzles, all meant to test how well you adapt, think on your feet, and work with others. You’ll also present your own project to judges and peers.
11. Conrad Challenge
Location: Virtual elimination rounds with finalists presenting at the Innovation Summit, typically at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL.
Cost/Prizes: Costs around $499 per team, and offers academic scholarships.
Dates: Finalists are announced in March, while the Innovation Summit takes place in April
Application Deadline: Registrations end in October, with the first round of submissions due in November
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13-18 globally
Conrad Challenge is a STEM innovation competition where you work in a team of 2–5 students to create a product, service, or solution in areas like aerospace, energy, health, and technology. Your goal is to make a strong pitch: your deliverables include a business plan, marketing strategy, and technical innovation proposal. Finalists, known as Pete Conrad Scholars, earn an all-expenses-paid trip to top STEM centers and may receive academic scholarships or patent support from IP lawyers. You also get direct exposure to NASA, industry professionals, and investors, giving you real-world experience in pitching innovative ideas.
Location: Local races are held across the country; the national event’s location varies by year
Cost/Prizes: No registration fee; no scholarships or monetary prizes indicated
Dates: Regional events take place in the spring until early summer, with the national competition held around June or July
Application Deadline: Varies by local organizer, typically in March until May
Eligibility: Open to U.S. middle school students
Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) is a hands-on engineering competition where you and your middle school team design, build, and race solar-powered model cars. Using a kit with a solar panel and motor, you’ll apply principles of mechanical design, energy conversion, and sustainable technology. You’ll go through the full engineering cycle: planning, prototyping, testing, and refining, while meeting constraints like size, weight, and solar efficiency. Each car must carry a ping-pong ball, adding a real-world design challenge. You’ll document your process in a project webpage, highlighting your design thinking and improvements. Beyond racing, you’ll develop teamwork, project management, and environmental awareness.
Location: Most contests are conducted virtually, while the finals are sometimes held in-person in different cities or virtually.
Cost/Prizes: Comes with a team registration fee between $75 and $150. Winners earn medals, trophies, and certificates.
Dates: Season runs from January until May, with four contests; finals are in late May or early June
Application Deadline: Registrations are typically in December
Eligibility: Open to students worldwide from grades 3 to 12
American Computer Science League (ACSL) is an international K-12 competition where you compete in four contests covering computer science fundamentals like theory, data structures, recursion, number systems, digital electronics, and programming. As a middle school participant, you’ll solve written and programming challenges that strengthen your computational thinking and coding skills. Divisions are tiered by age and experience, so you’ll face challenges appropriate for your level. Running since 1978, ACSL is a respected global competition.
Location: In-person competitions occur at local sites or at universities, while some events may be offered partially or fully virtual
Cost/Prizes: Comes at the cost of team registrations, event registrations, and fees for kits and sets, coming at around $800 to $1000. Teams may earn awards at the regional and global level, with finalists getting prizes ranging from $5000 to $20000, along with LEGO sets and robot kit awards.
Dates: Regional qualifying events typically begin in late fall
Application Deadline: Registrations open from May to September
Eligibility: Students ages 9–16 (grades 4–8); teams of 2–10 students must register through a local FIRST partner
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge is a robotics and engineering competition where you design and program an autonomous LEGO robot to complete missions on a themed game board while also tackling a research project linked to a global issue. Using kits like LEGO SPIKE Prime, you work on mechanical design, sensors, and coding, then present your robot and project to judges through interviews. Along the way, you practice teamwork, prototyping, and public speaking while learning how to think through problems step by step. Teams are judged on innovation, execution, and core values, with top groups moving on to regional, national, or international events to share their work with engineers and STEM professionals.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost/Prizes: Combining registration costs, kits, and other elements, the cost will be a total of $1,289. Offers rewards with gift certificates ranging from $250 to $750.
Dates: Typically takes place around mid-April or mid-May
Application Deadline: The Deadline is typically in December
Eligibility: Elementary and middle school students (ages 8–14); teams of 2–6 students registered through a school or club
VEX IQ Robotics Competition is a hands-on engineering and programming tournament for middle school students. You work on a team of 2–4 to design and build a robot using snap-together components that completes themed tasks. Each season brings a new challenge that requires you to plan strategically, design mechanically, and program autonomously using sensors, motors, and the Robot Brain. You’ll code in VEXcode IQ using block-based or text-based languages like Python and C++.
You document your process in an engineering notebook and improve your design through testing and iteration. The competition includes driving skills matches, autonomous challenges, and judged interviews. You’ll build skills in mechanical engineering, software development, systems integration, and teamwork. If your team performs well, you can advance to local, regional, and even the VEX World Championship.
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.
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