STEM Competitions for K-12 Students

Stellar Living Student Challenge

STEM Competitions for K-12 Students

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

CALLING ALL STUDENTS!!

Are you curious about life on other planets? ORISE invites you to unleash your creativity and imagination! We are looking for original presentations where you design a unique creature and explain three adaptations that would make it able to survive on the planet you have chosen. The planet can be real or make believe, but remember, your creature’s adaptations should be appropriate for the environment and your presentation should include scientific evidence to back up your design.

Examples: The planet Zorro is a frigid planet where everything is frozen solid! This means the animal must have some adaptation to be able to survive the harsh climates. Those adaptations might be long, thick fur or an extra fatty diet like a bear has. Maybe the planet is Mars, and the creature has the adaptation of special lungs that can extract oxygen efficiently so that it can breathe the Martian air which only has 0.13% oxygen compared to Earth’s 21% or skin that is so thick that it repels radiation from the sun which is 40-50 times stronger than the radiation on Earth! The opportunities are endless!

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-2nd grade:

  • GeoSafari Jr Telescope, Ozobot Evo Kit

3rd-5th grade:

  • Telescope & Tripod, Ozobot Evo Kit, OzoGoes Solar System Kit

6th-8th grade:

  • Lego Technic Solar System Set, Celestron Telescope & Tripod, Mars Puzzle Set

9th-12th grade:

  • Celestron Telescope & Tripod, Este 3 Rocket Kit, Recovery Wadding, Engines, and platform

Instructions for K-2

  1. Make a copy of this worksheet (.PDF, 39KB)
    • If needed, you can use an extra sheet of paper to write answers and create your drawing.
  2. Write your first name and state on the worksheet.
  3. Look at the rubric (.PDF, 81KB). This is what will be used to score your project.
  4. Complete the worksheet.
  5. Once completed, take a picture or scan your completed project.
  6. Go to the competition form, fill in the form with your information, and upload the completed project.
    • If your submission is a link (example: Google Docs, Dropbox File, etc.), make sure the privacy and sharing settings allow reviewers to access it. If it is not accessible, it will not be scored.
    • Winners will be announced in late May.

Instructions 3-12:

  1. Look at the rubric (.PDF, 46KB). This is what will be used to score your project.
  2. Create an original 5-8 slide presentation that follows the guidelines of the rubric.
    1. Make sure the adaptations fit the planet and can be explained with scientific evidence.
    2. If the planet is imaginary, students will have to explain the environment, so our scorers can see that the adaptations are reasonable.
    3. If the planet is real, it is still a good idea to detail which characteristics of the planet your features are adapted to.
  3. Write/type your first name and state onto the completed project.
  4. Go to the competition form, fill in the form with your information, and upload the completed project.
    1. If your submission is a link (example Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Canva), make sure the privacy and sharing settings allow reviewers to access it. If it is not accessible, it will not be scored.
    2. Winners will be announced in late May.

Who can enter?

  • Students in a U.S., U.S. territory, or DoDEA School
  • Students in any schooling situation, including public, private, and homeschool
  • Students are eligible to win 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period

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


Past competitions and winners

Get ready to blend curiosity and creativity by exploring how systems in the human body help us to participate in everyday activities. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is asking you to pick an activity (like running, eating something, crafting, etc) and explain how a system in the human body (endocrine, muscular, lymphatic, etc) helps to complete that activity. To enter, read the instructions for your grade level below! THREE prizes will be awarded to each grade band.

Prizes

K-2

  • Interactive Human Anatomy Model for Kids
  • Human Anatomy Floor Puzzle for Kids
  • Amazon Fire HD 10 for Kids

3-5

  • Interactive Human Anatomy Model for Kids
  • Human Anatomy Floor Puzzle for Kids
  • Amazon Fire HD 10 for Kids

6-8

  • Anatomicum-Hardcover
  • Beats Solo 4
  • Grey Stanley Flip Straw Tumbler

9-12

  • Anatomicum-Hardcover
  • Beats Solo 4
  • Grey Stanley Flip Straw Tumbler

Winners announced soon!

Is there a topic in your school that has not been covered that you would like to learn about? ORISE wants you to teach it! We are asking that you create an original activity to teach your topic, and then make a 2–3-minute video pretending like you are teaching the activity to your classmates. It must be a STEM topic of your choosing that has not been covered in your school. Make sure you explain how you designed your activity in your video!

Prizes for Winners:

Winners will be given the opportunity to spend up to $200 on an approved STEM prize. See below for some ideas and ORISE’s favorite STEM prizes.

  • Telescope
  • Snap Circuits
  • Coding Robots
  • Chemistry Sets
  • Rock Tumblers

Winners announced soon!

Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore the fascinating connection between art and STEM! ORISE wants you to choose an existing piece of art or create your own masterpiece and create a 2-3 minute original visual presentation that creatively connects back to a STEM concept that helped to plan it or create it.

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:

  • Alice K. from TN
  • Helen K. from TN
  • Shanaya P. from FL
  • Heidi S. from TN
  • Shane S. from TN
  • Yuno Y. from KY
  • Tiara C. from FL
  • Mariana B. from TX

Prizes:

K-2nd grade:

  • Spirograph Deluxe Arts and Crafts Set, 3Doodler Start+ (3D Pen), 3D Coloring Puzzle Set, Vtech Smart Watch, Lite Brite

3rd-5th grade:

  • Spirograph Deluxe Arts and Crafts Set, 3Doodler Start+ (3D Pen), 3D Coloring Puzzle Set, Vtech Smart Watch, Lite Brite

6th-8th grade:

  • 155 Piece Painting Kit, SCRIB3D 3D Pen, Amazon Fire 10 tablet

9th-12th grade:

  • 155 Piece Painting Kit, SCRIB3D 3D Pen, Amazon Fire 10 tablet

Have you ever wondered why the leaves change color in the fall, why the days are longer in the summer, or how snowflakes form in the winter? ORISE wants you to figure it out! We are asking that you create a 2–3-minute original presentation that creatively explains or demonstrates a seasonal phenomenon of your choice. 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:

  • Amelia M. from NJ
  • Sami S. from TN
  • Hudson S. from TN
  • Laila H. from TN
  • Elin T. from KY
  • Lucinda M. from KY
  • Favour O. from ND
  • Israel M. from FL

Prizes

K-2nd grade:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet and Osmo Kit

3rd-5th grade:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet and Sphero Bolt+

6th-8th grade:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet and Sphero Bolt+

9th-12th grade:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet and Sphero Bolt+

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

Get ready to mix up some fun in the kitchen! ORISE is inviting students to create a delicious dish while uncovering the science behind it. Whether it's baking bread, making ice cream, or crafting the perfect pizza, students will explore concepts like chemistry, physics, and biology as they cook. After preparing their dish, participants will present their culinary creations by creating a presentation of their dish and the scientific explanations behind it! It's a tasty way to learn and compete - let's cook up some science!

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:

  • Ezri C. from TN
  • Mayukha K. from VA
  • Jai V. from TN
  • Hannah P. from TN
  • Blair C. from TN
  • Jane Y. from TN
  • Aprameyan R. from VA
  • Nozima Z. from IL
  • Luke L. from TX
  • Lynn N. from CA
  • Kylie C. from CA
  • Adrian M. from FL

Prizes

K-2nd grade:

  • Erupting Volcano Cakes Cooking Kit
  • Science of Cooking Ice Cream Kit
  • Food Science of Candy Chemistry Kit
  • Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 Watch

3rd-5th grade:

  • Erupting Volcano Cakes Cooking Kit
  • Science of Cooking Ice Cream Kit
  • Food Science of Candy Chemistry Kit
  • Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 Watch

6th-8th grade:

  • Interactive Cooking Set - Explore Japan
  • The Super Easy Teen Cookbook
  • Apple Watch

9th-12th grade:

  • Pasta Making Kit
  • The Super Easy Teen Cookbook
  • Apple Watch

Looking for a way to beat the heat this summer? ORISE wants you to have fun with water! We want you to show the journey of water as it moves through the hydrologic cycle in your neighborhood and discuss how humans interfere with the cycle. 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.

Winners:

K-2

  • Cunxi H. Towne Acres Elementary School, TN
  • Alexander M. APT Homeschool Academy, TN
  • Keerthi S., Oliveira Elementary School, CA

3-5

  • Lily B., Honor School, TN
  • Urvi T., Saint Joseph Elementary school, MA
  • Reagan U., Lipscomb Academy, TN

6-8

  • Aparna A. Park Forest Middle School, PA
  • Hana E., Homelife Academy, TN
  • Annie N., Stacey Middle School, CA

9-12

  • Sofia A., Miami Palmetto Senior High School, FL
  • Liam F., Jupiter High School, FL
  • Sankarsh M., Farmington High School, CT

Prizes

K-2nd grade:

  • Waterproof digital camera with accessories, ORISE Summer Swag, Splashology Water Kit

3rd-5th grade:

  • Waterproof digital camera with accessories, ORISE Summer Swag, Water Science Lab Kit

6th-8th grade:

  • Waterproof digital camera with accessories, ORISE Summer Swag, LifeStraw

9th-12th grade:

  • Kodak Waterproof digital camera kit, ORISE Summer Swag, LifeStraw

Throughout the school year ORISE hosts STEM competitions where YOU could win SWEET prizes! We want you to share the love for a chance to win!

Winner:

  • Karee H., Jupiter Community High School, FL

Prizes:

Grand Prize: iPad mini, Apple Pencil, iPad case, and Sphero with case

Tagged friends: ORISE Summer Swag pack

Force is all around us – and we see examples of it every day without realizing it! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants you to go on a scavenger hunt and find an example of force! We are asking that you explore in your local community to find an examples of force, photograph/draw them, and then write an explanation about the science behind each example of force. 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:

  • Amazon Fire Pro Kids Tablet with Case and Gyroscope

6th-8th grade:

  • Amazon Fire Max 11 with Stylus and Gyroscope

9th-12th grade:

  • VR Headset Quest 2 and Gyroscope
Winners:

K-2

  • Saachi A., Homeschool, OR
  • Iva B., North Clarion Elementary, PA
  • Alexander M., APT Homeschool Academy, TN

3-5

  • Aya A., Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. Elementary School, PA
  • Vivienne A., Picadome Elementary, KY
  • Olivia E., Lake Ridge Elementary, TN

6-8

  • Carley C., Andrew Jackson Middle School, WV
  • Kaylyn G., Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, TN
  • Layla G., South Doyle Middle School, TN

9-12

  • Evan C., Farragut High School, TN
  • Danial K., Farragut High School, TN
  • Linh N., Westminster High School, CA

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.

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).

Winners:

  • Knox D., Prescott South Middle School, TN
  • Henry K., Aberdeen High School, MD
  • Jenny N., Westminster High School, CA

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

K-2

  • Ishank A., Celebree School of Henrico, VA
  • Fritz P., TreeHouse Homeschool, TN

3-5

  • Advik B., Cedar Park Elementary School, MN
  • Shanaya P., East Wood Intermediate, OH

6-8

  • Hina S., SCAPA at Bluegrass, KY
  • Haddon S., Homeschool, TN

9-12

  • Victor G., Westminster High School, CA
  • Sabrina P., Jupiter High School, FL

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