STEM Competitions for K-12 Teachers

Fact or Fake? STEM Detectives | Lesson Plan Competition

STEM Competitions for K-12 Teachers

Deadline: on or before 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday, November 30th, 2026

Teachers! Every day, students scroll past edited photos, AI-generated images, and eye-catching graphs, but not everything they see is true. ORISE wants to see how you teach students to think like scientists when they come across information that may be false or misleading. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that teaches students how to spot misinformation or helps prevent it from spreading. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini-grants of up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!

Prizes:

1st place: $1,500 mini-grant

2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant

3rd place: $500 mini-grant

Details:

Interested educators are invited to submit an original lesson plan HERE by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday, November 30th, 2026.

  • 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 STEM topic as long as students practice spotting, testing, or preventing misinformation.
  • Lesson plans should include the following:
    • lesson title
    • teacher 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
    • the specific strategies students will use to spot or prevent misinformation
    • photos or samples of student work (encouraged)
  • Lesson plans must be written and submitted in English.
  • If you used AI tools to help create your lesson plan, please briefly describe how you used them.
  • Lesson plans will be scored using a rubric (.pdf), and winners will be announced in late December!
  • 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 up to 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).

To view the current ORISE lesson plan library, visit https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/curriculum-for-the-classroom.html.


Previous ORISE Educator Competitions and Winners

ORISE wants to see how you bring STEM to life without digital devices. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit an “unplugged” STEM lesson plan - a screen‑free lesson that allows students to explore STEM concepts using hands‑on methods instead of digital tools. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a teacher classroom supplies bundle to keep the learning going!

Prizes:

Each winner will receive a teacher classroom supplies bundle including:

  • Laminator Machine with accessories
  • 10 Drawer Rolling Cart
  • Class set of dry erase boards with markers and erasers
  • Class sets of scissors, glue sticks, rulers, colored pencils
  • Colored copy paper
  • Post-it Flip Charts with accessories
  • Pencil dispensers with pencils, erasers, and sharpeners
  • Classroom decorations
  • Storage containers and caddy set
  • Clorox wipes
  • Multicolored Expo Markers (36pk)
  • PaperMate Flair Pens
  • And more!

 Winners:

  • Laura F. from NJ
  • Tiffany H. from TN
  • Santosh C. from FL

Teachers! School may be out, but summer social media contests are just beginning!
Throughout the month of June, we want to hear your story: Who or what inspired you to become a STEM educator?

Maybe it was a teacher who opened your eyes to new possibilities, a family member who encouraged your curiosity, a scientist whose work inspired your imagination, or even a single moment in your own learning that changed your path. Whatever shaped your STEM journey, we want to celebrate it with you!

Prizes:
THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a Yeti M20 Backpack Soft Cooler

Winners: 

  • Kim D. from PA
  • Tiffany J. from GA
  • Pamela J. from IA

As the school year comes to a close, we invite teachers to take a moment before settling into summer break to reflect on the past year and share their most impactful STEM lesson as part of our lesson plan competition. Can you think of a lesson that captivated your students while exploring a STEM topic in an engaging and creative way? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is seeking three outstanding lesson plans and will reward the selected teachers with a Summer Outdoor Fun Pack, which includes the following prizes:

  • Portable Neck Fan
  • BruMate Rise 25oz Water Bottle – Nightfall Blue
  • JBL Flip 7, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
  • BOGG BAG Original Large Tote – 19” x 14” x 9” in Turquoise
  • Stanley All Day Mini Backpack Soft Cooler in Ash Grey
  • Color Striped Extra Large Beach Towels, 4-pack
  • Elfin Flip Portable Outdoor Projector and Screen

Winners: 

  • Sydney W. from TN
  • Lauren W. from TN
  • Jessica P. from SC

Teachers, we know that review time can spark some of the most creative and engaging moments in the classroom, and we want to hear your best ideas! Throughout the month of April, tell us: What is your favorite STEM review activity? It could be a hands-on challenge, a classroom game, a collaborative project, a digital tool you love, or anything else that helps your students strengthen their STEM skills in a fun and meaningful way.

Winners:

  • Alexa H. from NY
  • Angela E. from VA

Prizes:
TWO randomly selected teachers will receive an Cricut Explore 4 Machine with Vinyl and Iron-On Bundle

Teachers! How do you spark curiosity in STEM careers? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) invites you to submit a lesson plan that highlights a STEM career or multiple STEM careers. Teachers of any grade level or subject are welcome to participate.

THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a dual‑monitor setup for their classroom.

Winners:

  • Rebecca A. from TN
  • Tiffany P. from WV
  • Catherine H. from TN

Prizes:

  • Two Dell 21.5" Monitors
  • DisplayPort Cables
  • Dell Smart Dock
  • Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Teachers! ORISE wants to see how you promote digital citizenship in your classroom! Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit an original STEM lesson plan that helps students understand responsible and ethical use of technology.

THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini-grants up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!

Prizes:

  • 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
  • 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
  • 3rd place: $500 mini-grant

Winners:

 

  • Amber C. from Frontier Middle School, NY, Phishing Scam Lesson Plan
  • Lily D. from H.H. Poole Middle School, VA, The Digital World: Screen Time and Responsible Technology Use Lesson Plan
  • Dhenni G. from Los Alamitos Middle School, NM, Healthy Media Choices Lesson Plan

Teachers, AI is transforming classrooms, and we want your perspective! Throughout the month of February, tell us: What is your AI golden rule? It could be about using AI responsibly, protecting student privacy, finding ways to make AI a helpful classroom tool, or anything else that is important regarding AI use in your classroom.

Prizes: THREE randomly selected teachers will receive an Apple TV 4K streaming box!

Winners:

 

  • Heather E. from Redding Christian School, CA
  • Lorraine P. from Jupiter High School, FL
  • Laurissa W. From Roane County High School, TN 

Teachers! ORISE wants to see how you harness the creative power of makerspaces and makerspace materials in your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that shows how makerspaces enhance your student learning. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a makerspace prize bundle to continue leveraging the power of makerspaces in their classroom!

Prizes:

  • Two BeaverBot cardboard cutters
  • Makedo Invent 360 piece toolkit
  • BeaverBot angle cutting tool
  • Cardboard screws kit – 360 pieces
  • Jumbo arts and crafts supplies box that includes felt, pipe cleaners, pompoms, buttons, sticks, clothes pins and more!
  • Colored masking tape 7 roll multi-pack  

Winners:

  • Bess H. from Cut Bank High School, MT, Tipi Physics Design and Building Challenge Lesson Plan
  • Annalisa S. From Delta Woods Middle School, MO, Do You Want to Build a Spacesuit? Lesson Plan
  • Sandra O. From Mansfield High School, MA, Micro:bit Winter Village Lesson Plan

Teachers! As we look ahead to the new year, ORISE wants to hear from you:
What virtual professional development (PD) topic would you be excited to attend, or even lead? Whether it's STEM integration, classroom tech tools, or student engagement strategies, we want your ideas!

Prizes: TWO randomly selected teachers will receive a Kindle Scribe with Premium Pen!

Winners:

  • Tina C. from Union Grove Middle School, TN
  • Robert C. from Zuni High School, NM

Teachers! ORISE wants to see how you integrate technology into your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that shows how technology enhances your student learning. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini-grants up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!

Prizes:

  • 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
  • 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
  • 3rd place: $500 mini-grant

Winners:

  • Tiarra B. from Franklin STEAM Academy, IL,  AI Taking Over the Word? Exploring AI as a Tool Lesson Plan
  • Romel A. from Tombstone High School, AZ, The Robolympic: Newton’s Laws of Motion in Action Lesson Plan
  • Kirsten S. from Justice High School, VA, Hydroponic in Action! Lesson Plan