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Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Engineering (OMSTE)

Opportunities for Challenging Students Academically:
Challenges and Competitions

Developed by Barbara Libby
Updated by Susan Adler

There are hundreds of competitions, scholarship opportunities, and educational programs that are available and can be used to enhance and individualize the educational programs we offer the children in our schools.

Many teachers use the program materials provided by the competitions to supplement their regular curriculum and they choose not to enter the competitive aspect of the program. Many of the program materials and learning activities from the "competitions" are exciting and include hands-on activities and creative problem solving projects that teachers can use in a noncompetitive way in the classroom with large groups, small groups, cooperative learning groups, or individually offered to a child in need of academic challenge.

We need to creatively access quality programs and resources that provide additional learning experiences for those students who are ready for the next level of challenge. The following list is only a sampling of the many educational opportunities available that we as educators should consider as we look for additional ways to help raise expectations for student' achievement and to find strategies for recognizing, enhancing, and celebrating our students' gifts and talents.

Academic Decathlon
The Academic Decathlon is a team competition for teams of high school students. Students are tested in ten categories: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech. Contact: Mylene Chafe, United States Academic Decathlon, PO Box 1834, Council Bluffs, IA 51502-1834 (712) 326-9589.

Academic Pentathlon
The Academic Pentathlon is a national contest of five events: Mathematics, Essay, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Public and Private school students in grades 6, 7, & 8 compete as individuals and as team members. Contact: Joni James (760) 386-1133.

American Express Geography Competition
American Express invites teachers of grades 6-12 to sponsor individuals or student teams. Students must write a report that addresses a theme (for example: The Geography of Travel and Trade, Managing the Environment in a Changing World, or Geographic Patterns of Cultural Diversity). This is a free program with big prize money awards. Contact: American Express Geography Competition PO Box 67227, Marietta GA 30067-9077.

American Mathematics Competitions
http://www.unl.edu/amc/

The American Mathematics Competitions include several competitions. Beginning with the American Junior High School Mathematics Examination, mathematically talented students can progress step by step through the American Mathematics Competitions to the American High School Mathematics Examination to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, and on to the USA Mathematical Olympiad and finally on to the prestigious International Mathematics Olympiad. Contact: Dr. Walter E. Mientka, Executive Director, American Mathematics Competitions, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Nebraska, 1749 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588 (402) 472-2257.

An Artistic Discovery
This congressional art competition is for students in grades 9-12. Students interested in Entering the competition should contact their high school art teacher. A special Congressional Art exhibition of the winning entries will be displayed in the corridor leading to the US Capitol. Contact: Your Member of Congress or Congressional Arts Caucus, 345 Ford House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515.

Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards
This annual competition is for students in grades 7-12 in all public, private and parochial schools in Massachusetts. This program is sponsored by the New England Art Education Conference in cooperation with the Massachusetts Art Education Association. The focus of the program is to recognize the outstanding creative achievements of secondary students in their art classes and to encourage these students to pursue further studies in the visual arts. Categories include: various painting and drawing mediums, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, graphic design and photography. Contact: Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards (617) 482-1313.

Chemistry Olympiads
www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/

The American Chemical Society sponsors the US National Chemistry Olympiad to encourage high school students to achieve excellence in chemistry. For information, contact your high school chemistry teacher or the Education Division, American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 872-6169.

Close Up Foundation
www.closeup.org

The Close Up Foundation encourages responsible involvement in the democratic process through a wide array of educational programs. The Close Up Foundation also sponsors local, state, and regional programs ranging from after school seminars to weeklong residential programs in state capitols. Close Up Television's citizenship education programs can be seen on C-Span.

Close Up Washington Programs includes the Program for High School Students and Teachers. The weeklong Close-Up Washington program enables high school students And teachers to study the process of government where it happens-with the people who make it happen. Close Up students take part in seminars with Washington leaders and study visits to such places as the Capitol, the Supreme Court, federal agencies, and the embassies. Small-group workshops let students share their ideas with other students across the country. Close Up Washington is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Close Up Washington Programs also includes the Program for New Americans for middle and high school students and educators. This program gives recently immigrated middle and high school students the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become active citizens. For all Close Up Programs, Contact: Delphine Reckitt, Close Up Foundation, 44 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, VA 22314-1592 (703) 706-3300.

Christopher Columbus Awards
www.christophercolumbusawards.com

Participating in the Christopher Columbus Awards program is a cross-curricular activity that meets science education standards. This program is open to any student in grades 6-8. With a coach, this contest helps get student teams involved in science and their community in a meaningful way. The competition is a fun and enriching way to meet the eight content standards established for middle-school science by the National Science Education Standards. Finalist teams win cash prizes and an all expense-paid trip for a week to Walt Disney World to work alongside scientists, engineers and technical experts while exploring the science and technology behind Walt Disney World.

Any team interested in addressing energy conservation or an alternate energy source topic as the focus of the Christopher Columbus Awards project will be considered for the existing Christopher Columbus Awards prizes and the special Chairman's Award. The winning team receives an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World and cash prizes. Contact: www.nsf.gov or www.columbusfdn.org (800) 291-6020.

Destination ImagiNation
www.idodi.org

Destination ImagiNation offers a global, youth-centered creative problem-solving program emphasizing teamwork. Team Challenges have open-ended answers and are solved over a period of eight weeks or more. There are five competitive Team Challenges, which teams may choose: technical/mechanical; theater arts/science; theater arts/fine arts; theater arts/improvisation; structural and architectural design. Students in later elementary grades through high school may participate in this competition. Prizes are awarded. There is also one non-competetive Team Challenge for preschool and early elementary children. Contact: Rusty McCarty, Program Director, Destination Imagination, Inc., PO Box 547, Glassboro, NJ 08028-0547 (856) 881-1603.

Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
To win a nomination to the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, you need to present a project at your local or regional International Science and Engineering affiliated science fair. Judges at the fair will determine nominees based on the quality of your science fair project and your ability to communicate science. All student entrants must be in grades 5-8. Forty finalists will travel on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in science challenges. Finalists receive scholarships and other prizes. Contact: Science Service, 1719 N Street N.W., Washington, DC 20036 (202) 785-2255.

DuPont Challenge
The DuPont Challenge is an opportunity for students in grades 7-9 (Junior Division) and grades 10-12 (Senior Division) to write a 700-1,000 word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technology application. Winners receive cash prizes and a trip to the NASA Space Center in Houston.

Engineering: Improving Our World Essay Contest
This contest, sponsored by the National Academy of Engineering, is open to all students in grades 4-9, individuals or teams of up to six students. Entries will be judged in two divisions: grades 4-6 and grades 7-9. Students write an essay of 500-1000 words describing what an engineer has done for them or what an engineer will do for them in the future. Cash prizes will be awarded. Contact: Engineering: Improving our World Essay Contest, National Academy of Engineering, 500 Fifth Street, NW, W1019, Washington, D.C. 20001, webcontest@nae.edu

Explora Vision
www.exploravision.org

The Toshiba/NSTA Explora Vision competition motivates students to develop higher order thinking skills, to think about their role in the future, and to use their imaginations and creativity while applying their knowledge of science. This competition is for students in grades K-12. Teams of students select a technology, research how it works and why it was invented, and then project how that technology may change in the future. Cash prizes and computers will be awarded.

FIRST Robotics
www.usfirst.org/robotics/

The FIRST Robotics Competition is a multinational competition that teams professionals and high school students to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The teams of student engineers and their mentors solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a commons set of rules. Teams design, build, test and practice operating their robots. This competition is designed to simulate a real engineering experience and stimulate real creative responses. There is a cost to participate in this competition. NASA provides financial sponsorships to new FIRST teams that need assistance in getting their program started within their community; grants are also available for all teams. Finalists in this competition receive scholarships. Contact: FIRST, 299 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 666-3906, frcteams@usfirst.org

FIRST Vex
www.usfirst.org/vex/

The FIRST Vex Challenge is a mid-level robotics competition targeted toward high-school aged students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. Awards will be given. Contact: FIRST, 299 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 666-3906, fvcteams@usfirst.org

First Lego League
The First Lego League considered the 'little league" of the First Robotics Competition, extends the concept of inspiring and celebrating science and technology to children aged 9-14, using real-world context and hands-on experimentation. Teams use LEGOS and other elements to gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct their robot. Awards will be given. Contact: FIRST, 299 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 666-3906, fllteams@usfirst.org

Future Problem Solving Program
www.fpsp.org

Four-person teams compete in creatively solving future-oriented problems. Problems are scored by outside evaluators and some teams are invited to a state competition. Program also includes competitions in Visual Arts, Scenario Writing, Community Problem Solving, and a non-competitive primary (K-3) component. This program is for students in grades K-12. Contact: Future Problem Solving Program, 2015 Grant Place, Melbourne, FL 32901 (800) 256-1499.

Harvard -MIT Mathematics Tournament
http://web.mit.edu/hmmt/

The Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT) is an annual math tournament for high school students, held at MIT and Harvard in alternating years. Teams of students register and the tournament is an entirely student-run event.

Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation (HOBY) Leadership Seminar
www.hoby.org/

The Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation motivates, trains, and develops future leaders. The seminars bring together high school sophomores from public and private schools with demonstrated leadership qualities, and a group of men and women who have distinguished themselves in business, education, government, the sciences, the arts and the professions. There is no cost to the students or the schools. Please contact your guidance counselor for information about your school's participation in this program. Each school may select one student as its HOBY Ambassador. For program information, contact: Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, 10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 410, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 475-5426.

Imagining Tomorrow: Alternative Energy Futures
www.itomorrow.nesea.org/

Imagining Tomorrow, sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, is a short story contest inviting all Massachusetts high school students to imagine the world in the next fifty years. Students should describe how our current policies and attitudes regarding energy and the environment will change in that time, and how might they change our world. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Intel Science Talent Search
www.sciserv.org/sts/

Intel is the sponsor of this nationwide pre-college science contest. Eligible students include high school seniors in the United States and territories, and American students attending school abroad. The finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the Intel Science Talent Institute. Awards include a large scholarship and cash prizes. Contact: Tami Casey, Intel Corporation, 2200 Mission College Blvd., PO Box 58119, Santa Clara, CA 95052-8119 (408) 765-8203.

Massachusetts Mock Trial Tournament
www.massbar.org/pub_programs/mock_trial

Students learn about important concepts in the American legal system focusing on the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution while strengthening their speaking, learning and critical thinking skills by performing real cases in a mock trial. These trials take place in local courthouses with volunteer lawyers. Contact: Mock Trial staff (617) 338-0570 or the Massachusetts Bar Association (617) 542-3602.

Massachusetts Science Poetry Contest
www.bc.edu/schools/lsoe/poetry/

Students in kindergarten through grade 8 are eligible to enter this contest. Categories range from humorous to expressive to original intended to entice students to integrate their science knowledge and activities with poetry writing. There are three categories of prizes. Contact: Dr. George Ladd, Lynch School of Education, Boston College Campion Hall, Room 211, Chestnut Hill, MA 02457.

Massachusetts State Science Fair

Open to all students in grades 9-12, in any public, private or parochial school. There are two ways for a student to enter 1) be the designated representative from his/her school, or 2) to be one of the top 40 winners from his/her regional science fair. Students must do individual research on a topic of their own choice. There are 11 categories in which a student can enter a project in the program. Students compete for college scholarships, awards, honors programs and other exciting prizes. A major award at the Massachusetts Science Fair is the selection of two delegates to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Contact: Massachusetts State Science Fair, Inc., PO Box 928, 490 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 224-3265, clawson@scifair.com (chairman). Note: NSF offers teacher workshops at no charge across the state to learn how to run local science fairs.

MATHCOUNTS
www.mathcounts.org/

The MATHCOUNTS competitions promote mathematics at the middle school level and are open to all public, private, and parochial schools. Participation begins at the local school with the involvement of teachers and other professionals as coaches. This program may be an extracurricular activity or ideally incorporated into the classroom curriculum to increase students' exposure to problem solving techniques and problem solving skills. Winners at the local level proceed to state competitions, where the top four winners and top coach earn the right to represent their state or territory at the national level. Contact: MATHCOUNTS Foundation, 1420 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 684-2828, info@mathcounts.org

Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools
http://www.moems.org/program.htm

The Math Olympiads is an international mathematics competition for elementary and middle school students. Competitions involve creative problem solving for students in grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. Students can take one exam each month from November to March. Certificates are given to all students and awards are given for about 50% of all participating students and about 25% of all teams. Contact: Math Olympiads, 2154 Bellmore Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710-5645 (866) 781-2411.

Math Pentathlon
http://www.mathpentath.org/

The Mathematics Pentathlon is a program of interactive problem-solving supportive curricular and instructional activities, and evaluation and assessment instruments for students in grades K-7. This program provides a highly motivational format for developing and practicing mathematics concepts and skills. The activities may be implemented into classroom curriculum, and students are encouraged to work cooperatively. Contact: Pentathlon Institute, PO Box 20590, Indianapolis, IN 46220-0590 (317) 356-6680.

My Turn
My Turn High School Essay Competition is a national contest that recognizes talented writers. Kaplan, Inc. and Newsweek Magazine assemble a panel of accomplished authors and editors to evaluate the essays and award the cash prizes. Students are asked to express opinions reflecting personal experiences that have shaped their lives in original 500-1000 word essays. Cash prizes will be awarded. Contact: Kaplan/Newsweek, "My Turn" Essay Competition, 1440 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018

National Geography Bee
The National Geographic Society sponsors the National Geography Bee as a competition for students in grades 4-8 to test their knowledge of the world and to promote geography education across the country. Participation must begin at the school level; students may not register individually. The National Geography Bee is divided into three level competitions: school, state, and national. Speak to your school principal regarding registration for this program. Contact: National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 828-6659.

New England Math League
The New England Math League sponsors math problems and contests that challenge elementary, junior, and senior high school students. Contact: Martin Badoian, New England Math League, P.O. Box 6, Sharon, MA 02067-0006.

Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is a program for students in grades K-12. Assigned problems (long-term and spontaneous) are sent to participating teams prior to a state contest. Problems are essentially "hands-on" and require creative problem solving skills. Contact: Odyssey of the Mind Program, c/o Creative Competitions Inc., 1325 Rt. 130 South, Suite F, Gloucester City, N.J. 08030 (856) 456-7776, maodyssey@qmail.com

Physics Olympiad
www.aapt.org/Contests/olympiad.cfm

The American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics sponsor a competition each year for high school students to represent the U.S. at the International Physics Olympiad Competition. The purpose of the Physics Olympiad is to celebrate academic excellence and to help focus public attention on the need for youth to study science. The selection process begins when the American Association of Physics teachers sends invitations to physics teachers across the country, soliciting nominations of their best physics students. Selected students are invited to take part in a week-long training camp at the University of Maryland. A 5-member United States Physics Team is selected to compete internationally. Contact: Your Physics teacher.

Physics Video Contest
www.aapt.org/Contests/videocontest.cfm

The annual American Association of Physics Teachers Physics Video Contest challenges high school students or faculty members to demonstrate physics in action with a short video (five minutes or less). There are two categories: Faculty and Student. Contact: American Association of Physics Teachers, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3845 (301) 209-3311.

Promising Young Writers
http://www.ncte.org/about/awards/student/pyw/

The Promising Young Writers program, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), is designed to stimulate and recognize student's writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among students in grade 8. Teachers must nominate students. Contact: NCTE Promising Young Writers Program, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096 (877) 369-6283.

Research Science Institute
www.cee.org/rsi/

A free six-week Research Science Institute (RSI) is held on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, MA. This highly competitive program is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education in collaboration with MIT. About 50 scientifically-promising high school students from around the world gather to do collaborative research with outstanding scientists. One of the goals of RSI is to create an environment in which students can complete projects suitable for admission to the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. On-campus instruction stresses mathematics, sciences, humanities, and preparation for the off-campus research internships in which participants are matched with scientists at academic institutions, federal agencies, and private corporations. The Distinguished Lecture series features nationally recognized leaders in science and the humanities. Scientific and cultural field trips take place on weekends. Outstanding professors from major universities lead the professional staff. Selection is based upon four criteria: PSAT scores, high school records, personal essays, and teacher recommendations. There is no charge for the program; students are responsible for their own transportation. Contact: Maite Ballestero, Center for Excellence in Education, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 215, McLean, VA 22102 (703) 448-9062.

Science Olympiad
www.soinc.org

The Science Olympiad is designed to increase student interest in science. Competitions follow the format of popular board games, TV shows and Olympic games. There are three divisions: grades K-6, 6-9, and 9-12. Contact: Science Olympiad, 2 Transam Plaza Drive, Suite 415, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 (630) 792-1251.

Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee
www.spellingbee.com

The National Spelling Bee is organized at the regional level by local newspapers according to Scripps Howard guidelines. The purpose is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies and develop correct English usage. In general, the program is open to students who have not reached their 16th birthday on or before the date of the national finals and who have not passed beyond the eighth grade at the time of their school finals. Contact: bee@scripps.com (513) 977-3040.

Seiko Youth Challenge
This competition engages teams of two to four students in grades 9-12. A faculty advisor must supervise the team. Teams identify, research, analyze, and propose a solution to a problem impacting their local environment. Contact: Seiko Youth Challenge (environmental problem solving), c/o The drb Group, 1234 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905.

Siemens Westinghouse Competition
www.siemens-foundation.org/competition/about.htm

The Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research. Through this competition, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school. It is administered by the College Board and funded by the Siemens Foundation. Scholarships and cash prizes are awarded. Regional winners advance to the national competition. Contact: Siemens Foundation, 170 Wood Ave. South, Iselin, NJ 08830 (877) 822-5233.

Six Flags America Roller Coaster Building Contest
www.aapt.org/Contests/rollercoaster.cfm

The American Association of Physics Teachers and Six Flags America sponsor this contest encouraging schools to build and enter roller coaster models built by teams of students in either of the two grade categories: grades 5-8 or grades 9-12. In the "Spirit of the Competition" the key ingredients are creativity and application of science principles. Contact: American Association of Physics Teachers, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3845 (301) 209-3311.

Team America Rocketry Challenge
www.aapt.org/Contests/rocket.cfm

The Team Rocketry Challenge, organized by the Aerospace Industries Association and National Association of Rocketry, is a national model rocket competition for U.S. high school and middle school students in grades 7-12. Students are challenged to design, build, and fly an aerospace vehicle that meets a specified set of mission and performance requirements. Cash prizes are awarded. Contact: Aerospace Industries Association, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-3928 (703) 358-1000, rocketcontest@aia-aerospace.org

USA Biology Olympiad
www.cee.org/usabo/index.shtml

The USA Biology Olympiad, sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education, is a four-tiered competition open to all U.S. high school students. It is aimed at selecting the USA Biology Olympiad National Team, a four-person team that competes in the International Biology Olympiad. Contact: Mary Reedy, Center for Excellence in Education, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 215, McLean, VA 22102 (703) 448-9062 ext. 234.

USA Computing Olympiad
http://ace.delos.com/contestgate/

The USACO conducts six Internet contests during the academic year, and in the late spring conducts the US Open, a proctored exam. Students may be selected to be on the US Team at the International Olympiad in Informatics. High School and junior high school students may compete in the USA Computing Olympiad. Contact: Rob Kolstad, kolstad@ace.delos.com.

USA Mathematical Talent Search
www.usamts.org

The USA Mathematical Search is a free mathematics competition open to all middle and high school students. This contest consists of four rounds and each round has five problems. The problems are published on the USAMTS web site. The goal is to help all students develop their problem solving skills, improve their technical writing abilities, and mature mathematically while having fun. Students who score well on the USAMTS after the first three rounds are invited to take the AIME, the second step in the process of selecting the USA Mathematical Olympiad Team. Contact: Richard Rusczyk, USAMTS, PO Box 2090, Alpine, CA 91903-2090 (619) 445-0112.