Eligibility
What is meant by “team” for the purpose of the content?
For elementary classrooms and groups, a team can be any subset of a classroom, extracurricular group, or homeschool students, including the full classroom or group or just 1 student, along with an educator or group leader, who is at least 18 years old. For middle school youth and high school youth teams, at least 1 student, but no more than 4 students, plus a “Supervising Adult” (an educator, community member, or family member who is at least 18 years old) can be a team. For educators in Track III, teams must have at least 1, but not more than 3 educators. See Section IV of the Official Rules.
Can multiple teams from the same school or group apply?
Yes! We encourage this!
Can I do the challenge individually?
Yes! Middle school and high school youth must still have a Supervising Adult to submit the team registration, consent forms, and projects. See Section IV of the Official Rules.
Can a middle school student form a team with a high school student?
No, middle school youth teams may only consist of students in grades 6-8 and high school teams may only consist of students in grades 9-12. See Section IV of the Official Rules.
Can a student be on multiple teams?
No. Each student may only be on one team.
Can I switch teams after being registered?
A student may switch teams after he or she is registered by asking their Supervising Adult to email Challenge@science.doe.gov for further instructions. Please note that new parental or legal guardian consent and media release forms will be required.
Can a Supervising Adult support multiple teams?
Yes! Please ensure that each student is only on one team and that teams do not mix elementary, middle school, and high school youth.
Are international students eligible to participate?
Students who voluntarily choose to enter their projects into the competition part of the Challenge (Challenge Competition), must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national (American Samoa), or lawful permanent resident (LPR). Students who are attending a U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State schools overseas may participate. Please note: travel to the National Championships will only be provided within the United States and its districts and territories. All other eligible students would have to arrange and pay for their travel to the United States.
Can more than one adult mentor a team?
Only one adult may be the Supervising Adult for middle school and high school youth teams. No other adults will be recognized by the Challenge. However, the team may work with local mentors, with permission from the students’ parents or legal guardians. Elementary groups may have up to 4 official leaders who are registered as group leaders.
Can the Supervising Adult sign the consent and media release forms on behalf of a parent or guardian?
The consent forms for youth participants must be signed by the youth’s parent or legal guardian.
Must the educators teach a STEM discipline?
No; however, educators in Track III must be full-time K-12 public, charter, private, or official homeschool teachers. See Section IV of the Official Rules.
Are college faculty permitted to form an educator team for Track III?
No, only current, full-time K-12 classroom educators at public, charter, private, and homeschools may form educator teams. See Section IV of the Official Rules. College Faculty are welcome (and encouraged) to participate as Supervising Adults or mentors.
Projects and Submissions
Once a team submits a video, can they revise or replace it with another video prior to the January 20 deadline?
Yes, as long as the same link submitted in the team’s proposal can be used. Otherwise, the team should email Challenge@science.doe.gov to let us know that the team will be uploading a new submission with the updated link.
What about intellectual property? Does the White House retain any right to a team’s innovation?
The youth and educators who create the projects for the Challenge will maintain the intellectual property rights of the work for their project submissions. The participants grant to the U.S. Government a non-exclusive license to publish, share, display, or distribute the submitted projects to promote the Challenge, showcase innovation, or educate the public. See Section XV of the Official Rules.
Communication
How will finalists be notified?
All notifications will be sent to the lead educator (elementary category and Track III) or the Supervising Adult (middle and high school youth teams). State champions will be notified no later than April 1, 2026; Regional champions will be notified no later than May 1, 2026. Teams invited to the National Championship will be notified no later than May 15, 2026.
National Championship Event
Can additional adults attend the National Championships if they pay their own way?
Unfortunately, no. Due to security requirements and space limitations, only the invited adults may attend the National Championships. More information on who can attend the National Championship will be available to the teams selected to attend. Generally, the following will be invited, depending on the type of team:
- Elementary Category (Track I): One educator or group leader.
- Elementary Category (Track II): One educator or group leader.
- Middle School Category (Tracks I and II): The Supervising Adult, each youth team member, and no more than one chaperone per youth. If the Supervising Adult is related to one of the team members, the Supervising Adult will serve as the team member’s chaperone. If the Supervising Adult is related to two or more of the team members, the Supervising Adult will serve as the chaperone for each relative. For example, if the team has four youth members, A, B, C, and D with Supervising Adult Z, and if A, B, and C are the children of Supervising Adult Z, then the team would only be permitted to bring one additional chaperone for student D.
- High School Category (Tracks I and II): The Supervising Adult, each youth team member, and no more than one chaperone per youth. If the Supervising Adult is related to one of the team members, the Supervising Adult will serve as the team member’s chaperone. If the Supervising Adult is related to two or more of the team members, the Supervising Adult will serve as the chaperone for each relative.
- Educator Category (Track III): All eligible educators on the team.