STEM Competitions for K-12 Students Show us your STEM smarts to win cool technology

April Cosmic Energy 5th- 12th Grade Student Competition

STEM Competitions for K-12 Students

Deadline: on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Tuesday, April 30th.

Calling all students! There’s a universe of knowledge out there, and we're inviting you to explore it! Dive into the Department of Energy article on energy in space, answer the cosmic call with your answers, and you could win some stellar prizes! Throughout the month of April, we want you to learn a little more about alternative energy from space and then answer some questions. To enter this contest, read through this article and then fill out this survey

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected students will receive an iPad Mini (with case and screen protector) and a 3D printing pen kit (includes the pen, mat, and extra filament).

Details:

  • The contest closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
  • Students must live in the United States, a U.S. Territory, or attend a DoDEA school to be eligible to win.
  • Students are eligible to win 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period.

If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org

Check back soon!

Past competitions and winners

Do you have what it takes to transform data into a visual masterpiece? ORISE wants you to try it out! Your task is to go out into the world and collect your own data based on a question you have, and then use the patterns or trends you observe to create a unique visualization of the data! EIGHT prizes will be awarded with two winners per grade band— two for K-2nd, two for 3rd-5th, two for 6th-8th, and two for 9th-12th.

Winners announced soon!

Prizes

  • K-5th grade:
    • Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
    • Amazon Fire HD 10 Case
    • Modeling Clay
    • Sketch Pencils
    • Markers
    • Sketchbook
  • 6th-12th grade:
    • Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet (bundle with Keyboard Case and Stylus)
    • Modeling Clay
    • Sketch Pencils
    • Markers
    • Sketchbook

Reach for the stars and explore the universe with us! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to blast off into another student competition! For this competition, you will record a 3-5 minute video short story about where you would go in space to escape an alien invasion on Earth and how you would survive in your new environment. TWELVE prizes will be awarded with THREE winners per grade band— three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

Winners:

K-2

  • Wilhelmina B., Westview Elementary School, TN
  • Saachi A., Home-schooled, OR
  • Elise W., Barkley Elementary School, KY

3-5

  • Will C., Radio Park Elementary School, PA
  • Jocelyn P., Barkley Elementary School, KY
  • Cheng-Xi H., Town Acres Elementary School, TN

6-8

  • Ava M., David T. Howard Middle School, GA
  • John David H., Paragould Junior High School, AK
  • Me’Shelle H., Paragould Junior High School, AK

9-12

  • Neil P., Poolesville High School, MD
  • Bill N., Westminster High School, CA
  • Randall D., North Adams High School, OH

Prizes:

K-2nd grade:

  • Telescope, 50 Things to See with a Telescope Book, Galaxy Projector, Astronaut Squishmallow

3rd-5th grade:

  • Telescope, 50 Things to See with a Telescope Book, Galaxy Projector, Solar System Kinects Building Kit

6th-8th grade:

  • Telescope, Moon Lamp, Beats Studio Earbuds, National Geographic: Backyard Guide to the Night Sky

9th-12th grade:

  • Telescope, Moon Lamp, Beats Studio Earbuds, National Geographic: Backyard Guide to the Night Sky

Unleash your imagination and explore the wonders of STEM through the magic of reading! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to explore how some of your favorite STEM subjects can connect to the books you read! We are asking that you bring a scene from a book to life and explain the science, technology, engineering, or mathematics behind it! TWELVE prizes will be awarded with THREE winners per grade band—three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

Winners:

K-2

  • Shritha C., Farragut Primary School, TN
  • Adilynn R., Williamsburg Montessori School, VA
  • Halden E., Hellenic Classical Charter School, NY

3-5

  • Narain M., Basis Chandler North, AZ
  • Minh N., Robeson Elementary School, IL
  • Gillian N., Wallace A. Smith Elementary, TN

6-8

  • Braelynne O., Central Middle, TN
  • Gordey I., Hardin Valley Middle School, TN
  • Haasini C., Farragut Middle School, TN

9-12

  • Destiney C., Jupiter Community School, FL
  • Addison T., Broadneck High School, MD
  • Alysha K., Jupiter Community School, FL

 

Prizes

K-2nd grade:

  • Amazon Fire 8 Kids Tablet, Be a Maker book, Kids Bluetooth Headset, and Oversized Kids Blanket Hoodie

3-5th grade:

  • Amazon Fire 8 Kids Tablet, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind book, Kids Bluetooth Headset, and Oversized Kids Blanket Hoodie

6th-12th grade:

  • Kindle Paperwhite (8GB), Beats Studio Pro, Library Scented Candle, and Oversized Blanket Hoodie

Have you ever wondered about the mechanics behind a STEM phenomenon? For instance - how does the shape of paper affect its flight through the air? Or how can people pull a tablecloth off a set table without breaking anything? Now is your chance to dive into your curiosity because ORISE wants you to get creative and find the facts! We are asking that you create a video that showcases your journey as a “Fact Finder” in the world of STEM. In the video, you will identify something in a STEM field that you would like to understand, then show us what you learned! TWELVE prizes will be awarded with three winners per grade band—three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

Prizes

K-5th Grade:

  • iPad (10th Generation) and accessories
  • Sphero Mini Activity Kit

6th-12th Grade:

  • iPad Mini and accessories
  • Apple Pencil
  • Sphero Bolt

Winners:

  • K-2 nd
    • Helen K., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN
    • Olivia H., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN
    • Kolbie R., St. Claire Elementary School, TN
  • 3 rd-5 th
    • Evangeline P., TreeHouse Home School, TN
    • Emily A., Westview Elementary, TN
    • Vincent J., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN
  • 6 th-8 th
    • Milo R., Rivers Edge Christian Academy, TN
    • Gabbi J., Bulls Gap, TN
    • Tyler W., Bulls Gap, TN
  • 9 th-12 th
    • Jacquelyn P., Westminster High School, CA
    • Danial K., Farragut High School, TN
    • Anh N., Centennial High School, IL

 

From national anthems to your favorite pop beat, we can likely agree that music connects people; but have you ever used music to connect to a STEM concept? ORISE wants to see how you combine STEM and music! We ask that you create a music video of a song with self-written lyrics that addresses at least one concept in STEM! TWELVE prizes will be awarded with three winners per grade band—three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

Prizes

K-5th grade:

  • iRobot Root Coding Robot
  • E-Blox Building Blocks STEM Circuit Kit

6th-12th grade:

  • Finch Robot 2.0 and pens
  • Raycon Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds

Winners:

K-5th Grade

  • Alexander M., APT Homeschool, TN
  • Alice K., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN
  • Ellie W., Hamilton County Virtual School, TN
  • Tinsley L., Harrison Elementary School, TN
  • Haley K., Harrison Elementary School, TN
  • Owen C., Hearst Elementary School, CA

6th-12th Grade

  • Claire R., South Doyle Middle School, TN
  • Connie S., Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, TN
  • Vineeta S., Glenda Dawson High School, TX
  • Ana C., Miami Palmetto Senior High School, FL
  • Hillah A., Miami Palmetto Senior High School, FL
  • Alexandra M., Miami Palmetto Senior High School, FL

If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org.

3rd-12th: Have you ever wished you could build your own school? ORISE is giving you an opportunity to put those wishes to paper! We ask that you think through the process of creating your very own STEM academy from scratch. You must create an advertisement intended to recruit new students and families to your school! You get to choose the way in which you advertise your school; it can be through a graphic, pamphlet, video commercial, etc. The plan can be hand drawn or made with a digital platform. We ask that you include a narrative in the perspective of a student on the 1st day of school at your STEM academy somewhere in your advertisement. Lastly, one of the most important aspects of your school are the details (e.g., who are the teachers, what classes are offered, etc.). Don’t forget to include details!

Students in 6th-12th grades have an additional challenge to include into their school advertisement. Your advertisement must also include a school philosophy statement explaining your school’s view on STEM and how it is incorporated into the school.

Students in K-2nd grades have the option of filling out the My STEM Academy worksheet.

TWELVE prizes will be awarded with 3 winners per grade band— three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

K-2 Winners:

  • Kolbie R., St. Clair Elementary School, TN
  • Alexander M., APT Homeschool, TN
  • Alice K., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN

3-5 Winners:

  • Ojasvi M., West Field Elementary School, OK
  • Olivia E., Lake Ridge Elementary School, TN
  • Claire A., Towne Acres Elementary School, TN

6-8 Winners:

  • Simeon B., The School for the Creative and Performing Arts at Bluegrass, KY
  • Calla S., Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, TN
  • Zain M., The School for the Creative and Performing Arts at Bluegrass, KY

9-12 Winners:

  • Iris Y., Farragut High School, TN
  • Jenny N., Westminster High School, CA
  • Sean O., Tesoro High School, CA

Prizes

K-2 nd grade:

  • iPad and Osmo Kit

3 rd-5 th grade:

  • iPad and Dash coding robot

6 th-8 th grade:

  • iPad, Apple Pencil, and GoCube Bluetooth cube

9 th-12 th grade:

  • iPad and Apple Pencil

If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org

   

Have you ever been sitting outside and have something pique your interest? If you have, or haven’t, then this is your opportunity to share that curious something with us through photography! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to go outside to your yard, balcony, porch, etc. and find a phenomenon that you find interesting and want to know more about. Take a picture of this phenomenon and develop a question that you want to know the answer to. Examples of questions you may ask include: “Why do some clouds look different than one another?” or “Why does the liquid underneath the car look like a rainbow?” After you develop your question, we would like you to research your phenomenon and share what you find! You can share your research with us by making a 3 to 5-minute video or PowerPoint. Please include a separate document with at least three reliable sources cited. FOUR prizes will be awarded—two for 6th-8th grades and two for 9th-12th grades.

Winners:

6 th-8 th :

  • Mila A., Moss Side Middle School, PA
  • Dylan K., David T. Howard Middle School, GA

9 th-12 th :

  • Megan E., Newton College and Career Academy, GA
  • Alexandra R., Jupiter High School, FL

Prizes:

  • Epic Outdoor Kit
    • Wise Owl Outfitter’s Hammock
    • 2-Person Camping Tent
    • Foldable Backpack
    • Waterproof Phone Pouch
    • Rechargeable Flashlight
    • Hiking Compass
    • And more!

If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org.

CALLING ALL OUTDOOR EXPLORERS! This May, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to go outside and observe the world around you! We are asking that you find something in the outdoors that you think is interesting and discover more about it! Learn more about how to enter for a chance to win one of our Outdoor Explorer Bundles! FOUR prizes will be awarded with two winners per grade band—two for K-2nd grade and two for 3rd-5th.

Winners:

K-2:

  • Taryn S., Philip R Smith School, CT
  • Arslan S., Homeschool, SC

3-5:

  • Haddon S., Homeschool, TN
  • Dia G., Coldspring Elementary School, MD

Prizes:

Outdoor Explorer Bundle:

  • Kids Outdoor Backpack
  • Binoculars
  • Handheld Flashlight
  • Magnifying Glass
  • Terrarium
  • Butterfly Net
  • ORISE branded swag pack
  • And more!

If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org.

Crazy Contraptions

Have you ever been lying in bed, wishing you could turn off the light from across the room? Let’s hear how you’d do it! ORISE wants to see your idea for a crazy contraption that completes a simple task in a wacky way! To enter this competition, you will design your own Rube Goldberg machine to get the job done. Below you will find grade specific details on what your project should include! TWELVE prizes will be awarded with three winners per grade band—three for K-2nd, three for 3rd-5th, three for 6th-8th, and three for 9th-12th.

Winners:

K-2:

  • Thanya N., Ben Rush Elementary School, WA
  • Sydney R., Farragut Primary School, TN

3-5:

  • Milo R., Homeschooled, TN
  • Dia G., Coldspring Elementary School, MD
  • Aishwarya S., Sugarloaf Elementary School, MD

6-8:

  • Madison A., Rinngold Middle School, GA
  • Lyla W., Rinngold Middle School, GA
  • Layla G., South Doyle Middle School, TN

9-12:

  • Zsofi V., Jupiter Community High School, FL
  • Brent L., Jupiter Community High School, FL
  • Jason K., Owen J Roberts High School, PA

Prizes

K-2nd Grade Prizes:

  • Junior2 3D Pen and accessories
  • LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box and Lego Building Base Plates

3rd-5th Grade Prizes:

  • 3Doodler Start+ 3D Pen and accessories
  • LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box and Lego Building Base Plates

6th-8th Grade Prizes:

  • 3Doodler Start+ 3D Pen and accessories
  • LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box and Lego Building Base Plates

9th-12th Grade Prizes:

  • 3Doodler Create+ 3D Printing Pen and accessories
  • LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box and Lego Building Base Plates