STEM Competitions for K-12 Students

STEM Solutions Showcase Student Competition

STEM Competitions for K-12 Students

Competition Opens: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Deadline: on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, August 14, 2026

Calling all students!

Engineering and innovation help us solve challenges we see every day. ORISE invites you to develop an engineering solution to a real‑world problem and pitch your idea using clear STEM reasoning.

Your mission is to identify a problem, design a solution, and create a short pitch that explains both your idea and the STEM concepts behind how it works. Follow the instructions for your grade level below to get started! Two prizes will be awarded per grade band.

Prizes

Each winner will receive a Back‑to‑School STEM Kit including:

K–2

  • Contixo K102 Kids’ learning tablet bundle (tablet, case, stylus, headphones, bag)
  • Thick beginner pencils (4‑pack)
  • MathLink cube set (100 pieces)
  • Retractable marker set (20 colors)
  • Large Crayola crayons (16‑count)
  • Pastel highlighter set (12‑count)
  • Large pencil pouch / pencil case
  • Backpack

3–5

  • Kindle Kids reader
  • TI‑30XS scientific calculator
  • Back‑to‑school supply kit (60‑piece set)
  • Kids’ noise‑canceling headphones
  • Pastel highlighter set (12‑count)
  • Large pencil pouch / pencil case
  • Backpack

6–8

  • Beats Solo wireless on‑ear headphones
  • TI‑84 Plus CE graphing calculator
  • Chromebook
  • Backpack

9–12

  • Beats Solo wireless on‑ear headphones
  • TI‑84 Plus CE graphing calculator
  • Chromebook
  • Backpack

Instructions for K–2

  1. Make a copy of the STEM Solutions Worksheet (.DOCX).
  2. Write your first name and state on the worksheet.
  3. Review the rubric (.DOCX); this is how your project will be scored.
  4. Complete the worksheet by drawing your solution and explaining your idea.
  5. Take a picture or scan of your completed worksheet.
  6. Visit the competition form, fill out the required information, and upload your project.
    1. If your submission is a link (WeVideo, Vimeo, Google, etc.), make sure sharing settings allow reviewers to access it. Submissions that cannot be opened will not be scored.
    2. Winners will be announced in September.

Instructions for Grades 3–12

  1. Review the rubric (.DOCX); this is what will be used to score your project.
  2. Create an original presentation, and be sure to include:
    1. The problem you identified
    2. Your engineered solution
    3. A STEM‑based explanation of how and why your idea works
    4. A short pitch component communicating the value and impact of your solution
  3. Choose one of the following project formats (presentation limits apply):
    1. Video: must be 90 seconds or less
    2. Poster or infographic: must be one page
    3. Slide presentation: must have 5 slides or fewer
  4. Write or type your first name and state on the completed project.
  5. Visit the competition form, fill in your information, and upload your project.
    1. If your submission is a link (WeVideo, Vimeo, Google, etc.), ensure sharing settings allow reviewer access. If it cannot be opened, it will not be scored.
    2. Winners will be announced in September.

Who can enter?

  • Students in a U.S., U.S. territory, or DoDEA school
  • Students in any schooling situation, public, private, or homeschool
  • Students may win up to two ORISE competitions in a 12‑month period

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


Past competitions and winners

May 1st is National Space Day! Celebrate with ORISE by exploring the science of fusion.

Fusion powers the sun, and scientists are actively researching how this process could be used as an energy source on Earth. In this competition, you’ll research fusion science and share what you’ve learned by answering a series of questions.

Prizes

Grades K–5

  • AOSEED 3D Printer for Kids + filament

Grades 6–12

  • FLASHFORGE Adventurer 3D Printer + filament

Two winners will be randomly selected from each grade band.

Calling all students!
What does your future in STEM look like? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) invites you to imagine yourself in a STEM career and share your vision! This is your chance to dream big and show us what inspires you.

To enter, read the instructions for your grade level below! TWO prizes will be awarded to each grade band.

Winners:

  • Suraj B. from CA
  • Anishka Maia M. from CT
  • Saanvi P. from CA
  • Aishwarya S. from MD
  • Urvi T. from MA
  • Nasima Z. from IL
  • Tanmay V. from TX
  • Sanjana K. from TX

Prizes

K–2:

  • Amazon Fire Kids Tablet
  • Headphones
  • Stylus

Grades 3–12:

  • Lenovo Idea Tab
  • Case with Keyboard
  • Stylus
  • Rocketbook Fusion  
  • Friction Pens
  • Rocketbook Beacons (reusable stickers that let you scan, save, and share whiteboard notes)

ORISE wants you to create a classroom technology policy! For this challenge:

  • Grades K–5: Create a poster with classroom technology rules or guidelines and a short explanation for why each one matters.
  • Grades 6–12: Focus on artificial intelligence (AI)! Create a poster AND submit a support document that explains your AI-related rules, the reasoning behind them, and includes references to back up your claims.

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:

  • Anayra J. from IL
  • Keerthi S. from CA
  • Saanvi P. from CA
  • Bianca S. from NC
  • Farida G. from TN
  • Gabriella P. from TN
  • Desmond Z. from FL
  • Linh N. from CA

Prizes:

K-5:

  • Ozobot Evo Entry Robot Kit

6-12:

  • Ozobot Ari Entry Robot Kit
  • Acer - Chromebook 311

Kick off the New Year with a new student challenge. ORISE invites K-12 students to design a wearable device that monitors or solves a problem in your community or the world. Your wearable tech should be innovative, user-friendly, and meaningful. Think about how it can help people live healthier, safer, or more enjoyable lives.

This challenge invites students to design and prototype wearable technology that addresses a real-world problem. Students are encouraged to think creatively, apply STEM principles, and consider how technology can make an impact on daily life.

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:

  • Atharv J. from CA
  • Mayukha K. from VI
  • Nora V. from FL
  • Narain M. from AZ
  • Anahata G. from WA
  • Jonathan O. from KY
  • Eros D. from OH
  • Mohitha Sree M. from AZ

Prizes:

K-2nd grade:

  • Fitbit Ace3
  • Boost Smart Water Bottle 16 oz

3rd-5th grade:

  • Fitbit Ace3
  • Boost Smart Water Bottle 16 oz

6th-8th grade:

  • Fitbit Sense 2
  • Boost Smart Water Bottle 24 oz

9th-12th grade:

  • Fitbit Sense 2
  • Boost Smart Water Bottle 24 oz

It's time for a STEM road trip! ORISE wants you to create a virtual tour to showcase STEM across our country! 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.

K-2nd grade:

  • Indi Student Kit

3rd-5th grade:

  • Indi Student Kit

6th-8th grade:

  • AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation
  • Pixi Beam Projector

9th-12th grade: 

  • AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancellation
  • Pixi Beam Projector

Winners:

  • Seth M. from KS
  • Raymond E. from TN
  • Max V. from OH
  • Allison O. from IN
  • Nozima Z. from IL
  • Lucy B. from KY
  • Favour O. from TX
  • Evan C. from TN

Celebrate Nuclear Science week with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)! We are asking K-12th students to identify a nuclear science-related resource and fill out a short survey to tell us what you learned. One winner from each grade band will be randomly selected to win!

Winners:

  • Ava V. from FL
  • Luke H. from TN
  • Clarissa P. from TN
  • Bianca S. from NC
  • Michael H. from TN
  • Jolene W. from KY
  • Indeah L. from FL
  • Enrique V. from FL

Prizes:

K-2nd grade:

  • Science Kit for Kids
  • Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit
  • 58-Piece Kids Microscope Kit
  • National Geographic Kids Junior Chemistry Set
  • Smartivity Magic Science Kit

3rd-5th grade:

  • Lego Gearbots
  • National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Magic Kit
  • Thames & Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand STEM Experiment Kit

6th-8th grade:

  • FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M 3D Printer 
  • Flashforge 3D Printer Filament Silk PLA

9th-12th grade:

  • FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M 3D Printer 
  • Flashforge 3D Printer Filament Silk PLA

Ready for a new kind of adventure? ORISE invites K-12 students to explore artificial intelligence (AI) through grade level specific AI adventures. Get ready to learn more about AI by completing the following adventures:

K-2nd and 3rd–5th: AI Adventure: Scavenger Hunt

Students will find examples of AI in their homes or communities (e.g., voice assistants like Google or Alexa, recommendations systems, traffic lights). Students will share their findings and discuss how the AI system works and benefits the user.

6th–8th: AI Adventure: Character Creation

Students will use AI to complete an iterative process for developing a fictional character. Students will learn how iterative refinement improves AI outcomes and explore how consolidated prompts affect the result.

9th–12th: AI Adventure: Source Investigation

Students will use AI to analyze the sources used in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) article generated by AI. Students will evaluate the credibility of sources and learn how to guide AI to use specific, reliable sources to create a factual STEM article.

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:

  • Katie L. from WA
  • Kabir M. from OH
  • Amaaya B. from CA
  • Elizabeth E. from AZ
  • Atlas L. from TN
  • Arvin S. from MI
  • Elsa B. from GA
  • Zarita A. from MN
  • Arya P. from WA
  • Chloe H. from CA
  • Selma E. from CA
  • Vivian N. from CA

Prizes:

K-2nd grade:

  • Miko 3: AI-Powered Smart Robot
  • Pictionary vs. AI Family

3rd–5th grade:

  • Miko 3: AI-Powered Smart Robot
  • 5 in 1 STEM AI Robot

6th–8th grade:

  • Robot AI Dog
  • Makeblock mBot2 Coding Robot

9th-12th grade:

  • Nous AI Robot
  • Connect AI Robot Cube & Smart Cube

CALLING ALL CODERS!

ORISE invites you to jumpstart your school year by designing and developing your very own game or story using Scratch or Scratch Jr. This is your chance to showcase your programming skills and share your innovative ideas with ORISE. Students will use Scratch to create an interactive game, while K-2 students have the option to use Scratch Jr to create a story.

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

Winners:

  • Ela S. from TN
  • Mayukha K. from VA
  • Tim A. from PA
  • Arvin S. from MI
  • Jackson S. from TN
  • Kush J. from GA
  • Henry L. from CA
  • Andrew J. from TN

Prizes:

K-2 nd grade:  LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Set

3 rd-5 th grade : LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Set

6 th-8 th grade:  LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Set

9 th-12 th grade:  Makeblock Ranger and Nous AI Robot

Get ready to be creative with your spring cleaning! ORISE invites students to repurpose something around the house and walk through the engineering design process to determine a new use for it. Create a 1–3-minute original presentation that creatively explains or demonstrates how you used the engineering design process to revitalize your item. 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.

Prizes

K– 2nd grade:

  • Creative STEM Building Kit and Electronics Exploration STEM Kit

3rd – 5th grade:

  • Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy Electronics Exploration Kit

6th – 8th grade:

  • Makey Makey + Expansion Pack and Chromebook

9th – 12th grade:

  • Arduino + Electronic Fun Kit, Arduino Without Prior Knowledge book, and Chromebook

 

Winners:
  • Atticus S. from AZ
  • Aadhav B. from CA
  • Advik B. MN
  • Chunru H. from TN
  • Ahmad A. from PA
  • Magdy G. from TN
  • Jacqueline P. CA
  • Mila A. from PA