Biology Competitions for High School Students: Top Contests and Tips

Are you a high school student fascinated by the mysteries of life? Do you spend every one of your waking moments reading about DNA, diverse ecosystems, or perhaps medical marvels?

If so, biology competitions might be just what you need to pursue.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to give a nice little boost to your college applications or you want to flex your intellectual muscles - participating in these competitions can be incredibly rewarding.

So why should you participate in these competitions - and more importantly, what are the best biology competitions for high school students to consider? We’ll tell you what you need to know.

Why Participate in Biology Competitions?

Why bother with competitions in the first place? After all, they take a lot of time to prepare for, and with everything else you have on your plate - classes, clubs, social activities - it can be tough to find the extra hours. 

The benefits are worth it - here’s why.

Should I Join Biology Competitions in High School?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

For one, participating in biology competitions can significantly enhance your skills. You’ll get real-world experience with everything from complex biological concepts to research methods you need to uncover new knowledge. 

Just imagine - engineering bioluminescent bacteria, analyzing genetic data, or cloning a plant. These competitions challenge you at the deepest level, inviting gifted students to think critically and solve problems creatively - invaluable skills no matter what career you choose. 

And don’t forget about college applications. College admissions officers love seeing students who go above and beyond the standard curriculum. Winning - or even just participating - in a prestigious biology competition can make your application stand out. Not to mention - you’ll have plenty of interesting stories to share in your interviews and essays!

These competitions also offer fantastic networking opportunities. Outside of the classroom, you’ll have the unique opportunity to meet peers who share your passions, along with professionals who can offer their support as you grow your career. You might just meet your future lab partner or research mentor!

Those are the most tangible benefits, of course, but let’s not forget that participating in high school biology competitions will undoubtedly deepen your understanding of the subject beyond the classroom walls. You’ll get a head start on college-level biology, mastering everything from the intricacies of cell division to the complexities of ecosystems. You’ll push yourself to go further - and there’s so much value in that.

Top Biology Competitions for High School Students

Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of participating in a STEM competition, let’s take a look at some of the top biology competitions you can enter.

1. USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)

The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is a premier biology competition for high school students in the United States. 

This prestigious academic competition has more than 10,000 participants every year, challenging students with quizzes and activities. It requires students to pass two initial rounds that include timed online exams. Once those rounds are over, 20 finalists are selected for a residential training program in lab skills and advanced biological concepts.

Winners receive medals and other rewards - and the best part? Any high school student who is a US citizen can sign up to compete. 

2. International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

If you’re looking to take your skills to the global stage, the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is the competition for you.

A step up from USABO, this highly challenging annual competition seeks to identify and empower the next generation of “leaders in the life sciences.” Participate in this competition, and you’ll be able to network with other biology students from around the world as you explore your research interests and expand your talents.

To participate, you need to have won your National Biology Olympiad competition and have been selected to represent your country. The competition itself occurs over the course of about one week, with social programs, excursions, and exams filling the schedule. A large variety of topics are part of the exams, making this one of the toughest competitions to prepare for.

3. Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is one of the most prestigious science competitions in the United States.

This competition is geared toward students who have carried out independent research and want a way to develop that research further - plus hone their presentation and analytical skills. 

With nearly 2000 applicants each year, Regeneron accepts fewer than 40, inviting them to the final in Washington, D.C., for a public presentation. 

Win this competition, and you won’t just win bragging rights - there’s also $250,000 up for grabs, plus the expenses for the visit to the capital are fully covered. 

4. BioGENEius Challenge

If you’re interested in biotechnology, namely healthcare, the environment, and sustainability, then the BioGENEius Challenge is for you. With thousands of applicants each year, the competition is carried out both in-person and virtually. This is a competition you can participate in no matter where you live in the world - a great feature for flexibility.

Each of the three “categories” listed above has different types of research. Local competitions are hosted all over the country, in places like California and Virginia. The top finalist is invited to the final BIO symposium, held each year in Boston. 

Not only are winners awarded cash prizes and granted other accolades, but this event also presents a fantastic opportunity for networking and hands-on research. 

5. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

The International Science and Engineering FairI (ISEF) is a competition with a broader focus on STEM, but it has unique and more specific opportunities for research in biology. This science fair is hosted by Regeneron, already described above, and is widely regarded as the largest pre-college STEM competition in the world. 

It hosts thousands of students each year, but to be eligible, you must qualify at a local or regional level. The qualifying rate is just around 3%.

The beauty of participating in ISEF lies in this rigor, however. You’ll have to present original research work in areas like cellular and molecular biology or computational biology. It’s a wonderful way for you to grow your research skills and network with other passionate students.

6. National Science Bowl

The National Science Bowl is one of the oldest biology competitions for high school students. It was first held in 1991 and is sponsored by the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy. 

It is also a highly competitive event designed for students who excel in either mathematics or science (or both). Roughly 1,000 aspiring young scientists participate in the event, which tests participants’ knowledge of topics like energy, biology, physics, and math. 

The process of being accepted is rigorous. Applicants must first participate in a regional competition as part of a team. Your team must be the regional winner for you to be eligible to compete at the finals in Washington, D.C.

Any high school student can participate, with winners taking home scholarships and other cash prizes. 

7. Science Olympiad

While some of the biology competitions for high school students that we’ve described in this article are focused on niche areas (or more specific topics) within biology, the Science Olympiad gives young people the opportunities to compete in a wide variety of STEM areas.

Founded in 1984, the Science Olympiad considers itself the “premier team STEM competition” in the country. It holds standards-based challenges in all 50 states. These events are massive, hosting 6,300 student teams at 425 different tournaments.

The Science Olympiad’s website describes the events as being like “academic track meets,” consisting of 23 team events in each division (high school and middle school students compete separately). The events are changed slightly each year to reflect the changing nature of genetics, mechanical engineering, geology, earth science, and so on. 

The activities are hands-on, and most importantly, emphasize group participation as all team members work toward a shared goal. The competitions are held at a different college each year to give students real-life experience of what it’s like to live on a college campus.

8. The Plant the Moon Challenge

One of the most aptly named competitions on this list, the Plant the Moon Challenge, invites students as young as elementary school to “take their own giant leap into space exploration.” 

With separate competitions for different age brackets, the event allows participants to participate in a global science experiment and see firsthand how vegetable crops can be grown in Martian or lunar soil. Sponsored by the Institute of Competition Sciences in collaboration with NASA, it is a team competition that lets students design their own experiments.

If you’re interested in the future of space - particularly the future of food in space - this is a great competition to consider. The events combine biology and space all in one, making it an immersive and incredibly diverse experience. 

And don’t forget about the prizes - winning teams in the high school division receive travel stipends to attend the National Symposium Event at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, among other accolades.

9. iGEM Competition

The iGEM Competition is a national nonprofit foundation that works to advance synthetic biology. This competition, as such, emphasizes synthetic biology and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration.

In this event, participants solve real-world challenges in the field, working with a team of eight to fifteen attendees to design, test, build, and measure original systems with interchangeable biological parts. 

Not all participants need to be particularly interested in the same area, either. The competition urges students to apply from diverse backgrounds, including candidates with research interests in everything from the social sciences to law to marine biology.

Winners will be eligible to receive medals and other special prizes. There are both virtual and in-person events. 

Leveraging Polygence to Excel in Biology Competitions

As you can see, there are lots of great reasons to consider participating in biology competitions while you’re still in high school. Even if you’re not sure what your future career goals might be, these events offer an excellent opportunity to meet new faces, experience new places, and explore new ideas.

And hey - you might even walk away with a cash prize. What have you got to lose?

If you’re not sure how to get started with your research, Polygence may be able to help. 

Enhance Your Biological Research with Polygence

Although each of the competitions described above has slightly different application and eligibility requirements, they all have one thing in common - you have to be pretty skilled at planning and conducting your own research in biology.

For students who are still in high school, that can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t yet tackled these rigorous research concepts in your courses.

That’s where Polygnece comes in.

Polygence’s student projects cover everything from STEM to humanities to the arts - and of course, biology. Whether you’re interested in writing a research paper or designing a new product, Polygence’s mentors can help you get to exactly where you want to go. You’ll develop your research skills and hone your critical thinking abilities so you can stand out in any competition - whether it’s right in your hometown or on the international stage.

Some examples of Polygence projects? One student evaluated plant and bird species diversity at Three Natures Reserve in Singapore. Another explored a theoretical approach to an HIV vaccine targeting CCR5. Yet another student completed a project titled “Keeping Up with the Immortal Jellyfish: Biological Immortality in the Animal Kingdom & Applications for Prolonging Human Lifespan.”

As you can see, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to what you can do as a biology student working with Polygence. 

So what are you waiting for? Explore our research mentorship program, and find your mentor today. Plus, with Premium Showcasing Support, you can take your research even further, receiving guidance on how to present your findings effectively and potentially publish your work. The world is your oyster - and with Polygence, you can experience all the best that the world of biology competitions has to offer.