STEM Competitions for K-12 Students
Citizen Science Explorers Student Competition
Deadline: on or before 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday, November 30th, 2026
Calling all students!
You don’t need a lab coat to help scientists make real discoveries! Every day, people of all ages help researchers count birds, spot animals on wildlife cameras, classify galaxies, and look up at the night sky. This is called citizen science: when everyday people help scientists collect or study real data.
This month, ORISE is challenging you to become a citizen scientist! Join a real citizen science project, collect data, and then tell us about your experience by answering a few questions. TWO winners will be randomly selected from each grade band.
Prizes
K-2
- Nature explorer kit
- KidiZoom camera
- Galaxy projector
- Kids weather station
3-5
- Kids’ handheld digital microscope
- Kids’ waterproof camera
- Beginner telescope for kids
- Rock tumbler
6-8
- Smartphone-guided telescope
- Waterproof camera
9-12
- Smartphone-guided telescope
- Waterproof camera
Instructions for All Grades (K-12)
- Choose a citizen science project. Use the list of websites below to find one or choose another real citizen science project.
- Sign up (if needed) and participate! Do real work for the project, like making observations, taking photos, counting, classifying images, or submitting data.
- Keep notes while you work: the date, what you did, and what you saw. You will need these details to answer the questions on the form.
- Take a photo or screenshot that shows your participation (examples: a screenshot of your submitted observation, your classification count, or a photo of your data sheet).
- Go to the competition form, fill in the form with your information, answer the questions about your project, and upload your photo or screenshot.
- Answers must be in your own words.
- Your final submission must be in English.
- Winners will be announced late in December.
Notes for Students in Grades K-2
- A parent, guardian, or teacher may help you read the questions and type your answers, but the ideas and observations should be your own.
- You may upload a drawing of something you observed in place of a photo or screenshot.
Notes for Everyone
- Some projects require an account. Students under 13 should have a parent, guardian, or teacher create or use an account for them, following each website’s rules. Many projects (like Zooniverse and Seek by iNaturalist) can be done without an account.
- Pick a project that interests you! There are projects for every interest, from animals and plants to space and weather.
Where Can I Find a Citizen Science Project?
- SciStarter – A searchable database of thousands of citizen science projects. Filter by age, topic, and whether you can do it online or outdoors.
- Zooniverse – Do real research online from home or school: identify animals on wildlife cameras, classify galaxies, and more. No account needed.
- NASA Citizen Science – Help NASA scientists explore space, Earth, and the Sun.
- GLOBE Observer – Use the free app to observe clouds, trees, and land cover, and share data with NASA.
- iNaturalist/Seek by iNaturalist – Photograph plants, animals, and fungi near you. Seek is a kid-friendly app that does not require an account.
- eBird – Count and report the birds you see from your yard, schoolyard, or a local park.
- Globe at Night – Count the stars you can see at night to help scientists measure light pollution.
How Will Winners Be Selected?
- Two winners per grade band will be randomly selected from all eligible submissions.
- To be eligible, a submission must answer every required question on the form, describe participation in a real citizen science project, and include a photo, screenshot, or drawing (K-2) of your participation.
- Answers that are copied from a website or fully generated by AI will not be eligible.
Who Can Enter?
- Students attending a school 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 up to 2 ORISE competitions in a 12-month period
If you have any questions, please contact: STEMEd@orau.org
**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.
Past competitions and winners
Cities of the future will rely on cutting‑edge technologies to solve today’s biggest challenges, from alternative energy to smart infrastructure to AI‑driven design. ORISE is asking you to imagine, create, and showcase a futuristic city powered by an innovative technology. TWO prizes will be awarded to each grade band.
Winners announced soon!
Prizes
K‑2
- VEX 123 Kit
3‑5
- VEX GO Education Kit
- Fire tablet
6‑8
- VEX AIM Coding Robot
- Chromebook
9‑12
- VEX AIM Coding Robot
- Chromebook
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
Congratulations to the winners:
- Suraj B. from CA
- Ishaan K. from NC
- Diya S. from TX
- Besa O. from NY
- Jackson S. from TN
- Emma O. from NY
- Akhilesh Y. from TX
- Vera W. from CA
May 1 st 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.
Winners
- Avik D. from VA
- Avika M. from KS
- River W. from TN
- Vera H. from TN
- Aarna P. from NC
- Ava C. from KY
- Rida M. from VA
- Madison B. from FL
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