Top 50+ Competitions for High School Students in 2024

In the highly competitive college admissions landscape, extracurriculars are often the key differentiators. Academic competitions not only highlight your intellectual abilities but also help demonstrate teamwork and problem-solving skills. Discover our recommendations for the best competitions for high school students below!

STEM Competitions for High School Students

Science Competitions

1. Davidson Fellows

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship competition awards generous $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 scholarships to high-achieving students. Accomplished students 18 years and younger who have completed “a significant piece of work” are eligible to apply. So, what counts as a “significant piece of work?” According to the Davidson Institute, they are looking for:

• Meaningful and original applications of existing knowledge

• Interdisciplinary discoveries

• Important and exceptional performances

• And more!

Of course, students who have demonstrated their accomplishments in other forms are also eligible to apply. The competition is open to individual students who meet the entry criteria and to teams of two, both of whom meet the entry requirements.

2. The Slingshot Challenge

The Slingshot Challenge is an initiative by the National Geographic Society that encourages young people aged 13 to 18 to devise innovative solutions to environmental issues. Participants can submit a one-minute video outlining their ideas for a chance to win up to $10,000 in funding to implement their projects.

3. Genes in Space

Do you have an idea for a genetics experiment that could address a challenge related to space exploration? The Genes in Space competition gives students the opportunity to participate in Space Biology Camp and to launch a DNA experiment into orbit for real!

Explore our full list of science competitions for high school students here!

Chemistry Competitions

1. American Chemical Society (ACS) High School Chemistry Olympiad

The ACS High School Chemistry Olympiad is one of the nation's most prestigious chemistry competitions. This contest puts participants’ theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of the chemistry field to the ultimate test. The best part? The top performers get to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad!

2. International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)

One level higher than the ACS Olympiad is the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), the world’s premiere chemistry competition for high school students. The event brings together teams of high school chemists from around the globe, all representing their home nations. The next event will take place in 2025 in the United Arab Emirates.

3. Chemical Educational Foundation's The Challenge

Although it’s only open to middle school students in grades 5-8, the Chemical Education Foundation’s The Challenge is an opportunity for budding scientists to explore their interests in STEM fields! Teams of 3-4 participants compete in exciting, time-based rounds of questions and responses. Additionally, teams get to create original videos to “launch a start-up company” around community-based sustainability solutions.

Check out all of the best chemistry competitions for high school students here!

Neuroscience Competitions

1. American Academy of Neurology - Neuroscience Research Prize

The American Academy of Neurology is a research competition that awards the top three applicants with $1,000 prizes and the chance to present their work in front of the American Academy of Neurology! A panel of physicians and researchers judges submissions based on their hypotheses, methodologies, and data analyses.

2. International Brain Bee

The  International Brain Bee is a multi-tiered competition structured around oral and written neuroscience exams. Participants start by signing up for their local “bee,” where the top scorers advance to the national and, from there, international competitions. The competition was founded in 1998 and is growing every year!

3. The Art of Neuroscience

The Art of Neuroscience competition at the Netherlands Institue for Neuroscience was started in 2011 by a pioneering Dutch organization with the goal of inspiring neuroscientists to evaluate their work from a new angle: art. In recent years, this one-of-a-kind competition has also accepted submissions from and granted awards to artists who have produced works inspired by the brain.

Explore our full list of neuroscience competitions for high school students here!

Astrophysics Competitions

1. Gerard K. O’Neill Space Settlement Contest

The Gerard K. O’Neill Space Settlement Contest is a fascinating competition that challenges high school students to design a settlement in outer space! Participants are invited to address the challenge from all angles, including space exploration and colonization, engineering, and community.

2. International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics is the ultimate international test of high school students’ knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics. The global competition brings together young scientists from around the world, encouraging friendly competition and collaboration among the brightest young astronomical and astrophysical minds.

3. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

Simply put, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the largest science fair in the world. It’s an excellent opportunity for budding astrophysicists to present their research in the “Astronomy and Cosmology” subcategory.

Explore our recommended astrophysics competitions for high school students here!

Physics Competitions

1. International Physics Olympiad

The  International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is one of the most difficult high school physics exams in the world. The exam includes both theoretical (3 questions) and practical/experimental (1-2 questions) assessments. Just qualifying for the IPhO requires years of preparation. To get there, participants have to climb through the local, regional, and national levels of competition. 92 countries sent teams to the most recent edition of the IPhO!

2. F=ma Exam and U.S. Physics Team

The U.S. Physics Team is a group of talented and hardworking high school physicists who get to represent the United States at the IPhO. The F=ma Exam is the qualifying exam that narrows the entire field of competitors down to the top 400 students. From there, just the top five scorers on the U.S. Physics Team Exam make the cut to compete at the IPhO.

3. Beamline for Schools (BL4S)

The Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition is an incredible opportunity for high school students to use a particle accelerator in a physics experiment! Teams submit written proposals, with diagrams, for an experiment that they would like to conduct. Of course, it goes without saying that the experiment needs to require the use of a particle accelerator. The top two teams win trips to either CERN in Switzerland or DESY in Germany to conduct their experiments for real!

Learn more about the top physics competitions for high school students here!

Math Competitions

1. InteGIRLS Math Competitions

InteGIRLS Math Competitions are fun math competitions organized by InteGIRLS chapters throughout the country. Competitions generally take place in the winter and spring and are open to high school girls and nonbinary students.

2. American Mathematics Competition (AMC 10, AMC 12)

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 10, AMC 12) are math competitions with long histories of highlighting young mathematical stars. Each one lasts 75 minutes and contains 25 multiple-choice questions. The AMC 10 competition covers topics up to 10th grade curricula, while AMC 12 goes through 12th grade (including topics like calculus and number theory). AMC 12 is also the starting point for American students interested in competing in the International Mathematical Olympiad.

3. American Regions Mathematics League (ARML)

The ARML is a dynamic, team-based math contest with five exciting rounds of play: team, power, individual, relay, and tiebreaker. This is a fun and challenging opportunity for budding mathematicians to put their math skills to the test in a collaborative format!

Learn more about the best math competitions for high school students here!

Data Science Competitions

1. Kaggle Competitions

Kaggle Competitions is a respected platform for online competitions and communities geared towards data scientists and machine learning practitioners. They offer a wide selection of ongoing competitions in various formats throughout the year. Regardless of your experience level, we highly recommend checking out these competitions!

2. National Science Bowl

The National Science Bowl is a student competition organized and hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. It tests participants on a variety of scientific and mathematical subjects, including data science. The competition has been held annually in late winter for 34 years!

3. DataCamp

DataCamp is an online learning platform for data scientists of all levels, including beginners. In addition to valuable resources and practice challenges, it organizes a variety of informal, online data science competitions throughout the year.

Explore our recommended data science competitions for high school students here!

Computer Science Competitions

1. Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an annual competition designed to inspire students to engage in coding and computer science by creating and submitting their own original apps. Open to students nationwide, the challenge aims to reach underserved, diverse, and rural populations, significantly impacting how Congress views computer science and STEM education

2. American Computer Science League (ACSL)

The American Computer Science League (ACSL) organizes competitions for all levels of computer science ability; everyone who has a passion for computer science is encouraged to sign up! That said, the “Senior Division” is quite challenging. This level requires participants to solve problems related to Boolean Algebra and Digital Electronics and to solve at least one problem by programming in Python, C++, or Java. Competitions take place between November and March.

3. CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition

The CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, hosted by the Air Force Association (AFA),  is uniquely specialized for a high school competition, assessing participating teams’ abilities to identify and repair cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Teams of high school students compete online for one weekend a month in October, November, December, and January, and are judged based on how secure they are able to make each virtual operating system. The top groups over the duration of the season win a group trip to Maryland, where they compete head-to-head with the other finalists for scholarships and national recognition.

Check out our full list of top computer science competitions for high school students here!

Robotics & AI Competitions

1. VEX V5 Robotics Competition

The VEX V5 Robotics Competition is absolutely one of the most interesting — and challenging — high school robotics competitions out there. Students form teams to design, build, and compete with large robots in fun and unique head-to-head matches in a game invented by VEX. The game and rules change completely from year to year, keeping things constantly fresh and exciting.

2. Best Robotics

The program, BEST Robotics is a non-profit organization that hosts an annual robotics competition for middle and high school students, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024. The program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and mathematics through hands-on robotics design experiences.

3. American Computer Science League (ACSL) Foundation

The American Computer Science League Foundation is a competition that rewards students for excellence in computer science and programming. While their competitions don’t directly assess participants’ AI or robotics chops, ACSL competitions are great opportunities for students at every level to have fun and showcase their overall computer science skills.

Learn more about our recommended robotics competitions for high school students here!

Engineering Competitions

1. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, or ISEF, sponsored by the Society for Science, is the largest science fair in the world. Last year, nearly 2,000 students competed for $9 million in total prizes!

2. Davidson Institute for Talent Development

The Davidson Institute for Talent Development’s annual “Fellows Scholarship” competition for gifted students is open-ended and calls for applications in all academic subjects, including engineering. The committee is looking for students who can demonstrate that they have completed a “significant piece of work” in an academic area.

3. International Bridge Building Contest

For students who are more geared towards hands-on challenges, the International Bridge Building Competition is an amazing chance to design and construct your own bridge using a specific set of materials! This is the perfect opportunity for aspiring civil engineers and young builders.

See our full list of engineering competitions for high school students here!

Psychology Competitions

1. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a competition is open to all students who have completed original research in any subject in the sciences or humanities, including psychology. Competitors start by submitting a written research report to the panel of expert judges. The judges then select some of these students to present their research at a regional symposium. The top regional participants get to present at the national symposium.

2. International Psychology Olympiad

If you’re a psychology specialist, then this one's for you! The International Psychology Olympiad tests participants’ knowledge of psychology concepts and their abilities to apply their psychological knowledge to real problems. You can enter as an individual or as a team.

3. Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition

Are you doubly interested in psychology and writing? Then don’t miss the Minds Underground essay competition, which invites high school students to submit essays on one of three psychology-related prompts (the prompts change every year). 

Check out all of the best psychology competitions for high school students here!

Debate & Public Speaking Competitions

1. Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament

The Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament is considered one of the most sought-after debate competitions in the country, Harvard’s National Speech and Debate Tournament is held every President’s Day Weekend in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Harvard Debate Council, which organizes the event, offers multiple debate formats for you to choose from, such as policy debate and “student congress.”

2. World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC)

With more than 70 international teams competing in last year’s event, the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a truly global throwdown of the world’s brightest young minds! Debate and discussion topics can range from sports to international policy and everything in between.

3. National Speech and Debate Tournament

Established in 1931, the National Tournament of the National Speech and Debate Association claims to be the “largest academic competition in the world.” They may be correct, since last year, 6,700 middle and high school students came together for five days of nonstop intellectual showdowns.

Check out all of the top debate and public speaking competitions here!

History & Social Science Competitions

1. Brain Awareness Video Contest

The Brain Awareness Video Contest is the perfect competition for students with interests in neuroscience and filmmaking. The challenge? Research, write, and produce an educational and entertaining video inspired by one or more neuroscience concepts. Submissions must be sponsored by an SfN member.

2. National Personal Finance Challenge

The  National Personal Finance Challenge is a unique challenge that is entirely focused on personal and family finances. Are you passionate about taking responsibility for tracking income, spending, saving, investing, and managing credit? Then we highly recommend entering this multi-tiered Quiz Bowl-style tournament!

3.  Illinois State University Fashion Design Competition

If you are a high school student with an eye for fashion, you won’t want to pass up the  Illinois State University Fashion Design Competition for a chance to showcase your skills! The designer of the top look will receive a $4,000 scholarship to study fashion design and merchandising at ISU.

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Arts Competitions

Visual Arts Competitions

1. Youth Art Contest

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, PA, hosts their annual Youth Art Contest to support the next generation of wildlife artists. There is a new theme each year, and participants can submit in any 2-D artistic medium.

2. YoungArts National Competition

The YoungArts National Competition is one of the most prestigious arts contests in the country for high school students. This interdisciplinary competition has categories for artists of all kinds. The goal of the competition is to identify talented young artists and to amplify and invest in their creative freedom. Additionally, YoungArts is the sole nominating agency for U.S. Presidential Scholars in the arts.

3. Doodle for Google

The Doodle for Google competition is exactly what it sounds like an enormous online contest in which U.S. students up to grade 12 can submit one doodle per year. The national winner receives a generous scholarship and has their doodle displayed on the Google homepage for a day!

Check out our full list of the best art competitions for high school students here!

Writing Competitions

1. John Locke Institute Competition

The John Locke Institute is a unique essay competition for high schoolers. The top prize is one of the most exciting writing awards for high schoolers in the country. Participants can select one of three prompts to address in a 2,000-word essay. The prompts change from year to year but always relate to philosophy, politics, history, law, theology, economics, or psychology.

2. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose is a contest is open to poets and prose (fiction or creative nonfiction) writers. Each submission is considered for publication in the Adroit Journal, and the writers of the top submissions each receive $200.

3. Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

The National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, hosted by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is a nationwide contest series that has been around since 1923. To be eligible for the national competition, young writers will first have to enter and win an affiliated regional event.

Explore all of the top writing contests for high school students here!

Poetry Competitions

1. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers organizes the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards each year. This poetry contest welcomes submissions from young poets in grades 7-12. Plus, they have a separate National Student Poets Program!

2. The Fresh Voices Poetry Competition

The Poetry Society of America organizes the Fresh Voices Poetry Competition, which focuses on connecting high school poetry students with established poets in their communities.

3. The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The Kenyon Review organizes the Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers competition for current high school sophomores and juniors only! Winners receive cash awards and spots at the Kenyon Review’s prestigious summer workshop program.

See our full list of recommended poetry contests here!

Music Competitions

1. National Young Composers Challenge 

The National Young Composers Challenge is a wonderful competition for instrumental composers between 13 and 18 years old in the United States. Participants are asked to submit one original composition, either for orchestra or for a small (2 - 6 instruments) ensemble. The compositions must be under five minutes. The top three composers in each category receive cash prizes, as well as professional performances and recordings of their works!

2. American String Teachers Association (ASTA) 

The American String Teachers Association (ASTA) has state and regional chapters throughout the country, many of which organize student competitions! If your teacher is an ASTA member, you or your chamber group could be eligible to compete. Find your ASTA chapter here.

3. National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) 

The National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) is often cited as the top youth orchestra in the country. It’s also known to be one of the most competitive to get into. Last year, the orchestra was conducted by the incomparable Marin Alsop and toured South America with world-famous French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

See a full list of top music competitions for high school students here!

Fashion Design Competitions

1. Taiwan Fashion Design Award competition 

The Taiwan Fashion Design Awards (TFDA) is an international fashion design competition. It is open to all designers, including high schoolers, and prioritizes sustainable, creative, and high-performing garments.

2. Youth Fashion Show 

The Youth Fashion Show at the East Texas State Fair welcomes entries from elementary, middle, and high school students. There are several competition categories to choose from, including some non-traditional categories that may surprise you. Rather than constructing for someone else, contestants get to model their own garments!

3. Fashion Reimagined 

The Fashion Reimagined competition is less of a design competition and more of a fashion business pitch contest. Students create a 1-2 minute video pitching their brand and business model as they compete for scholarships to attend Long Island University.

See a full list of top fashion design competitions here!

Additional Competitions

Business Competitions

1. DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC)

The  DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is one of the most widely recognized business competitions in the world for high school students. In order to compete at the international event, participants must rise through their affiliated district and state tournaments. The competition includes written tests, role-plays, presentations, and more.

2. Virtual Enterprises International

The Virtual Enterprises International Business Plan Competition is designed to simulate the entrepreneurial process for high school students. Participants present an original business plan to a panel of judges, who then ask grueling follow up questions. Succeeding in this contest requires a strong business acumen and the ability to think critically in a high-stakes scenario!

3. National High School Ethics Bowl

While this competition is not directly related to business, the National High School Ethics Bowl prepares students for the business world by encouraging them to think critically about complex ethics questions in the modern world and to clearly communicate their arguments.

Explore all of the best business competitions for high school students here!

Finance Competitions

1. National Personal Finance Challenge

The National Personal Finance Challenge is a multi-tiered tournament that tests high school students on their knowledge of money management. Teams start with an online quiz, which determines qualification for the state competition, national competition, and eventually the final Quiz Bowl to determine the winning group.

2. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

Welcoming more than 6,000 students each year, the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is different from others in that teams are judged on their abilities to develop and clearly articulate a strong investment strategy, not on actual growth.

3. Trading Day 

Students who sign up for the Stevens Institute’s annual investment competition receive $1,000,000 in play money and get one month to build and grow their mock portfolios. The students with the top 25 portfolios get to participate in the in-person finals in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Explore all of the best finance competitions for high school students here!

Innovation Competitions

1. Federal Reserve High School Challenge

The Federal Reserve High School Challenge sponsors this unique, collaborative challenge for high schoolers with an interest in economics. Students compete in teams of three to eight, with the goal of submitting a well-researched and clearly communicated academic paper on a topic that relates to that year’s competition theme.

2. National Economics Challenge

If you are a high school student interested in economic theory, consider the National Economics Challenge, an opportunity to showcase your knowledge! Participants compete in a multi-tiered tournament organized by the Council for Economics Education.

3. The Stock Market Game

Similarly to Trading Day, the Stock Market Game encourages students to learn about investing using fake money in a risk-free environment. The game is run by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

Explore all of the top economics competitions for high school students here!

Medical Competitions

1. USA Biolympiad

The USA Biolympiad is a multi-round tournament that includes an online test, an in-person semi-final, and — for the finalists — a two-week preparatory course leading up to the national exam. The top scorers in the national round get to represent the United States on the international stage and meet other young scientists from around the world at the International Biolympiad!

2. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the largest and most competitive science and engineering fair in the world. To qualify, students must rise through affiliated local and regional science fairs by presenting their research to expert judges. The medical category at ISEF is divided into several subcategories:

• Cell, Organ, and Systems Physiology

• Genetics and Molecular Biology of Disease

• Immunology

• Nutrition and Natural Products

• Pathophysiology

• Other

3. Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

The Annual DNA Day Essay Contest commemorates the completion of the human genome and is a unique opportunity for students with dual passions for biological research and writing to produce an argumentative essay on a prompt related to deoxyribonucleic acid. The prompt varies from year to year, but always challenges students to think critically about important concepts in genetics research.

Explore all of the best medical competitions for high school students here!

How Do Competitions Boost Your College Application?

Enhancing Your Profile

Entering and competing in the competition(s) of your choice demonstrates your passion for one or more subject areas, as well as your commitment and perseverance in general — just participating is not always easy! In addition, performing well in the competition(s) you enter is a great way to show colleges the extent of your expertise and your ability to effectively prepare for high-pressure moments.

Skills Development

Competing in competitions is not just for show; there’s a good chance you’ll actually develop and strengthen real skills, like critical thinking and problem-solving, at every turn. In addition, competing in team-based competitions is an amazing practice for successful collaborations in the future! 

Scholarships and Opportunities

Finally, many competitions reward top students with cash prizes, college scholarships, and/or opportunities to meet, network with, and present to experts in your field!

How to Choose the Right Competition for You

Identify Your Interests and Strengths

The first step to success in academic competitions is always choosing the right one to enter. Start by asking yourself: what are the classes that you enjoy the most? What are your strongest subjects? Depending on your goals, it probably makes sense to choose a subject area that you enjoy and that you feel confident in. However, in some cases, you may also want to enter a competition in a subject area that you enjoy but where you want to improve.

Consider the Competition Format and Requirements

Do you prefer to work on your own or to be a part of a team? Do you enjoy being in the spotlight during buzzer-game-style challenges, or would you rather write an essay over several weeks and submit your work at the end? Every competition has a different format and rewards different styles of working. Also, don’t forget to consider how much room you have available in your schedule for competition preparation, as some competitions are more of a time commitment than others.

Tips for Preparing for Competitions

Research and Understand the Competition

Many competitions provide competitors with study or preparation materials. It’s also often possible to find and review winning projects from recent years on competition websites. Checking out past winners’ work gives you a sense of what to aim for and the style of entries that the judges tend to score favorably.

Effective Time Management

Starting early is the single most important step you can take to immediately increase your chances of performing well in an academic competition. Spreading the work out also reduces the chances of a last-minute “double crunch” between competition demands and school work. Trust us — you’ll thank yourself later! 

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Seeking Guidance and Mentorship

Ask for help! A great mentor or coach can point you in the right direction and help you stay on track throughout the process of preparing for a big competition. Whether you work with a school teacher or a mentor from Polygence, make sure you utilize the resources available to you at school and online. Having a strong community and mentor in your corner can make all the difference. Feel free to explore our Core Program or start with one of our mentors to find your perfect match! Additionally, consider our Premium Showcasing Support for tailored guidance on presenting your research effectively.

And don’t miss out on our Premium Showcasing Support—an exclusive add-on service designed for students enrolled in the Core program. This invaluable resource offers personalized guidance and expert insights to help you elevate your research projects and share them with a wider audience. With tailored support, you'll gain the confidence and skills needed to make your work shine!

The Benefits of Participating in Competitions

Beyond enhancing your college applications, entering a competition is an exciting and challenging way to expand your knowledge of an academic subject or potential career path while growing and developing a suite of hugely valuable soft skills!

Ready to take the plunge? Whether you’ve found the perfect competition or are still exploring, this journey with Polygence will enrich your academic and personal growth. Start today, and make the most of your opportunities with the right support and preparation