STEM Competitions for K-12 Teachers
ORISE is excited to announce that we are hosting two engaging competitions this month. Keep reading for more details on each competition and how you can get involved. Don't forget to follow ORISE on social media to stay updated on competition news and announcements of winners.
Innovate to Educate: Emerging Technology Lesson Plan Competition
Deadline: on or before 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Thursday, July 31, 2025
Teachers! Do you have innovative ideas for a lesson plan that explores emerging technologies? Topics like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, machine learning, computer science, and fusion energy are buzzing in the world of STEM. These advancements are shaping the future and sparking curiosity in classrooms nationwide, offering exciting opportunities to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.
This summer, ORISE invites teachers of all grade levels and subjects to submit STEM lesson plans that delve into cutting-edge technologies. ORISE is looking for engaging, educational lessons that introduce K-12 students to the fascinating world of emerging technologies.
Three teachers who submit outstanding lesson plans will be selected to receive mini-grants of up to $1,000 to purchase new STEM equipment and supplies for their classrooms.
Details:
- Interested educators are invited to submit an original lesson plan and supporting documents to https://orausurvey.orau.org/n/JuneJulyTeacherLP.aspx by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Thursday, July 31, 2025.
- To avoid plagiarism, please submit a lesson plan that you have written. We understand that many activities are developed by other teachers; just make sure that you put your own spin on the activity.
- Lesson plans may focus on any emerging technology topic, to include but not limited to artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, machine learning, computer science, robotics, 3-D printing, advanced manufacturing and fusion energy.
- Lesson plans should include the following:
- lesson title
- teacher’s name and school
- target grade level
- time required for lesson
- standards/objectives
- materials required
- instructional steps for introduction, activities, and closure
- assessment strategies
- differentiation strategies
- Lesson plans will be scored using a rubric (.docx, 27KB), and winners will be announced late July.
- Teachers must teach in the United States, a U.S. Territory, or a DoDEA school to be eligible to win.
- Teachers are eligible to win 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period.
Note: Lesson plans submitted for the competition may be shared with other educators via the ORISE website. Plans are subject to revision and edits by ORISE staff before they are shared, so please submit in an editable format (Not PDF).
Science in the Sun July Social Media Contest
Deadline: on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, July 31st.
Teachers! Summer is here, and we know you’re soaking up the sunshine. This July, we want to hear about your best outdoor STEM activities that spark excitement in your students! To enter the contest, follow ORISE on social media, fill out this (very short) survey, and comment your answer on the post!
Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive the following prize pack:
- Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB
- Stanley 30 oz IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler
- Solar power bank charger
- Outdoor blanket
Details:
- The contest closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
- Teachers must teach in the United States, a U.S. Territory, or a DoDEA school to be eligible to win.
- Teachers are eligible to win 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period.
If you have any questions, please contact STEMEd@orau.org.
To view the current ORISE lesson plan library, visit https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/curriculum-for-the-classroom.html.
**NOTICE: ORISE has recently been notified that some winners have been contacted via social media requesting payment information. ORISE will ONLY contact winners via email and will NEVER ask for your credit card information.
Previous ORISE Educator Competitions and Winners
Teachers! School may be out, but summer social media contests are just beginning! Throughout the month of June, we want to know your classroom experiences and strategies for creating a positive, engaging STEM environment!
Winners announced soon!
Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a classroom student incentive prize pack!
Each incentive pack will include:
- 1 Gumball machine w/ reusable gumball capsules
- 1 Prize storage box
- Assortment of:
- Fidget pop and squishy toys
- 3-D Erasers
- Stickers
- Rubber bracelets
- Scented bookmarks
- Stackable pencils
- Multi-color ballpoint pens
- 3-D puzzles
- Foam glider airplanes
Teachers! Let’s spring into embracing technology by sharing your favorite technological tools that you use in your classroom!
Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive an Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet and Stylus Pen!
Winners:- Kara Bochenek- School: Denver Place Elementary
- David Gentry- School: Franklinton Elementary School
- Katie Mckee- School: Midway Middle School
Get ready to take your students on an unforgettable journey without leaving the comfort of your classroom! ORISE invites teachers to transform the way students explore the world. We’re looking for your best lesson plan that incorporates a virtual field trip. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that brings the world to your students through technology. TWO teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to win the prizes below!
Prizes:
- Oculus Quest 2 headset
- VR World Atlas activity kit
- VR World Oceans activity kit
- 3 sets of The World Geography Card Game
- VR headset charging station
- VR headset hard carrying case
Winners announced soon!
Teachers, it is time to engineer your own stories! It is National Reading Month, and here at ORISE we want you to create a lesson plan that brings together the love of both engineering and reading. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes engineering and reading. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive one of the prizes below! The prizes are separated by grade bands to allow a more directly related prize.
Winners :
- Nicole Mounger, Andersonville Elementary, Tennessee
- Patricia Dennis, Forest Street Community School, New Jersey
Prizes:
- K - 5 th: 2 Engineering Starter Kits, Engineering Activities Book, Engineering for Curious Kids
- 6 th – 8 th: A Beginner’s Book for Engineers & Architects, 2 STEAM Kits
- 9 th - 12 th: 12 Lost in Space Arduino Kits, Engineering in Plain Sight, 50 pack of Composition Notebooks, Rube Goldberg Machine Kit
Teachers! The ORISE wants to see how you show the HEART of STEM in your classroom by sharing your lesson plans about teaching empathy and compassion in STEM topics/fields. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a unique STEM lesson plan that incorporates teaching empathy and compassion in any STEM topics/fields. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive the following prizes!
Winners:
- Laurelle Riola-Catbagan, Eleele Elementary School, Hawaii
- Amanda Barrett, Marietta High School, Georgia
- Nicole Murphy, PS 81 Robert J Christian, New York
Prizes:
- Cricut Maker 3
- Cricut accessories bundle
- Cricut case bag
- 60 ct cardstock for Cricut
- iPad 10th Generation
- Apple Pencil
- Kindness sticker set
- Mindful Talk card set
Teachers! You spend so much of your time caring and working for others, but now, it’s time to think about how you care for yourself! Throughout the month of February, we want to know your favorite self-care activities.
Winners:
- Lindsey Montilla, Holly Ridge Elementary, NC
- Karen Raboin, Al Brown High School, NC
- Katryn Dougherty, Dugger Union School, IN
Prizes:
Three randomly selected teachers will win:
- Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced Single serve and Carafe Coffee Maker
- Variety single serve tea pack
- Variety Starbucks K-Cup Coffee pack
- Fitbit Charge 6
- Coloring book
- Paper mate Flair Pens (2 pack)
Teachers! Throughout the month of January, we want to know what technology you currently have available in your classroom and what technology you want to have!
Congratulations to the winner: Stacy Garofalo, P.S. 081 Robert J. Christen School, NY
Prizes:
ONE randomly selected teacher will receive a teacher technology bundle valued at $500 that includes an Alexa Echo, smart bulb, personal laminator, Cricut joy, and more!
Teachers, January is National Puzzle Month! Puzzles are great for building problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail. ORISE wants to see how you incorporate puzzles (scavenger hunts, breakouts, etc.) and games into your lesson plans to help build these skills. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes puzzle or game. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini grants up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!
Winners:
- 1 st place: Kirsten Salonga, Justice High School, VA
- 2 nd place: Leslie Mohlman, Willowcreek Middle School, UT
- 3 rd place: Ross Ruschman, Monroe Career and Technical Institute, PA
Prizes:
- 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
- 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
- 3rd place: $500 mini-grant
STEM teachers! The weather may be getting colder, but our social media contests are heating up! Throughout the month of December, we want to know your most creative strategy you use to review with your students!
Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a classroom supplies kit valued at over $300 that includes cleaning supplies, desk supplies, treats for the students, and more!
Winners:
- Tiffany Logsdon, Wynn Habersham Elementary, TN
- Peter Lauzon, Center for Advanced Technical Studies, SC
- Alexandria Whitaker, South Doyle Middle School, TN
Dive into the atom’s core! ORISE wants to see how you bring the dynamic field of nuclear science to life in your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes nuclear science. TWO teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a MacBook Air and a nuclear science kit!
Prizes:
- MacBook Air
- Nuclear Science Kit
Winners:
- Cheryl Burchett, Central High School, TN
- Emily McDonald, University High, TN
Calling all innovative educators! ORISE invites teachers to submit their favorite self-made cross-curricular lesson plans that creatively blend STEM components with other subjects to enrich student learning. Whether you combine math with art, science with literature, history with technology, or something entirely different, this is your chance to share how you connect STEM across disciplines in your classroom. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a lesson plan that includes cross-curricular activities. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive 3D printers and filament for their classroom to help students engage with the latest technology!
Winners:
- Rosalynn M., Lincoln Middle School,
- Ashlie A., School for the Creative and Performing arts at Bluegrass, KY
- Tiarra B., Franklin STEAM Academy, IL
Prizes:
1st place: THREE Prusa MK3 3D Printers with filament
Two Runners-Up: Two Prusa Mini 3D Printers each with filament
Teachers! Are you ready to be back in the classroom? Throughout the month of August, we want to know your dream piece of technology and how you would use it in your classroom.
Winners:
- Amy Haney, Anderson County Schools, TN
- Samantha Poll, Samuel L. Wagner Middle School, ME
- Marlene Prater, Sweetwater Junior High School, TN
Prizes: THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a Kindle Scribe!
Teachers! This weather might be hot, but our social media posts are just getting hotter! Throughout the month of July, we want to know what are ways that you teach your students to be responsible and mindful of how they are using technology in the classroom?
Winners:
- Amanda Atkins, Copper Ridge Elementary, TN
- Leslie Mohlman, Willowcreek Middle School, UT
- Nicole Murphy, PS81x, NY
Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a tech bundle including the Eggspert wireless buzzer system, a Rocketbook with 10 colorful pens, a 22-outlet charging station, a voice amplifier, a laptop stand, 30 pairs of headphones, and a set of 24 doodle boards for their classroom!
Summer is here and as you reflect over your year in the classroom, ORISE wants to see your favorite STEM lesson plan! Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit their favorite STEM lesson plan. Show off your neatest, most fun, or most creative lesson plan – whatever makes it your favorite may also make it our favorite! THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini grants up to $1,500 to buy new equipment and supplies for their classroom that will soon become your favorite things!
- 1st place: Crystal McDowell, Greenbrier High School, GA
- 2nd place: Tiarra Baker, Franklin STEAM Academy, IL
- 3rd place: Liliia Kharskaia, James M. Bennett High School, MD
Prizes:
- 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
- 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
- 3rd place: $500 mini-grant