The Importance of Science Competitions for College Application

• 1. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS):

  Summary: A prestigious research competition for high school seniors, focusing on original scientific research.

  Pros: High-level recognition and significant scholarships. 

  Cons: Extremely competitive with a demanding application process.

  Date: Applications open on June 1, 2024, and close in early November 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Over $2 million in awards, with the top prize of $250,000.

• 2. Microsoft Imagine Cup:

  Summary: Participants are using AI technology to support their start-up businesses. 

  Pros:  Participants receive mentorship from industry professionals and have access to Open AI credits. 

  Cons: The competition is highly competitive.

  Date: Rolling for next season

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: $100,000

• 3. Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF):

  Summary: A global competition for high school students showcasing innovative scientific research. 

  Pros:  International recognition and networking opportunities. 

  Cons: Requires qualification through local or regional fairs.

  Date: May 11-17, 2024

  Cost: Varies by affiliated fair.

  Prize: Cash awards, scholarships, and media exposure

• 4. eCYBERMISSION:

  Summary: A web-based STEM competition for grades 6-9, focusing on community problem-solving.

  Pros:  Encourages teamwork and community involvement.

  Cons: Limited to U.S. students.

  Date: Registration closes February 28, 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Savings bonds and national recognition.

• 5. STEAM in AI Multimodal Challenge

  Summary: An AI challenge where students work on problems presented and create presentations for solutions to inspire students to pursue technology.

  Pros: The challenge is designed for young learners in middle and high school; no previous coding experience is required.

  Cons: Teams must find their own Mentors

  Date: 2024 season

  Cost: $60

  Prize: Up to $1,000 prize

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• 6. International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad:

  Summary: A world championship for AI, showcasing top technical skills.

  Pros:  Global recognition for participants.

  Cons: Highly selective and rigorous preparation.

  Date: August 2024.

  Cost: Not specified.

  Prize: Not specified.

• 7. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS):

  Summary: A competition for students to present original research in a symposium format. 

  Pros: Offers scholarships at both regional and national levels. 

  Cons: Requires a substantial research project.

  Date: Deadlines vary by region.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Scholarships and recognition.

• 8. M3 Challenge:

  Summary: A math-modeling competition addressing real-world issues.

  Pros:  Significant scholarship prizes.

  Cons:  Focused primarily on math rather than broader STEM fields.

  Date:  Registration closes on February 23, 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Over $100,000 in scholarships.

• 9. Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge:

  Summary: A premier STEM competition for middle school students.

  Pros: Offers significant prizes and recognition.

  Cons: Limited to students in grades 6-8.

  Date: Registration closes on June 12, 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: $25,000 award and scientific excursions.

• 10. Future City Competition:

  Summary: Students design and build futuristic cities to solve real-world urban challenges.

  Pros:  Encourages creativity and problem-solving.

  Cons: Limited to middle school students.

  Date:  Specific dates for 2024 to be announced.

  Cost:  Varies by region.

  Prize:  Trip to space camp and cash awards.

• 11. Imagine Cup:

  Summary: A global software design competition that challenges students to solve real-world problems.

  Pros:  Mentorship from industry professionals and potential for startup funding.

  Cons: Highly competitive.

  Date: Rolling for next season

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: $100,000

• 12. International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition:

  Summary: An international synthetic biology competition for high school and college students.

  Pros:  Opportunity to collaborate with students globally. 

  Cons: Requires significant time and resources for project development.

  Date:  Registration typically closes in March.

  Cost:  Varies by team.

  Prize:  Medals and recognition in the synthetic biology community.

• 13. NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge:

  Summary: Students design, build, and test rovers that could work on other planetary surfaces.

  Pros:  Hands-on experience with engineering and design.

  Cons: Requires significant time and resources.

  Date:  April 2024.

  Cost:  Varies by team.

  Prize:  Trophies and recognition by NASA.

• 14. BioGENEius Challenge:

  Summary: A global competition for students with original research in biotechnology.

  Pros:  Opportunity to present research at the BIO International Convention.

  Cons:  Requires a well-developed research project.

  Date:  Various regional deadlines leading up to the final competition.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Scholarships and recognition.

• 15. Davidson Fellows Scholarship:

  Summary: A scholarship competition recognizing students with significant contributions in science. 

  Pros: Large scholarship awards.

  Cons: Highly competitive, with rigorous application requirements.

  Date:  Applications open in September 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

• 16. Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology:

  Summary: A national competition promoting excellence in scientific research. 

  Pros:  Prestigious recognition and scholarships. 

  Cons: Requires extensive research and a strong application.

  Date:  Application deadlines vary by year.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Scholarships up to $100,000

• 17. National STEM Video Game Challenge:

  Summary: A competition encouraging students to create educational video games.

  Pros:  Fosters creativity and technical skills.

  Cons: Focused primarily on game design.

  Date:  Opens in January 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Cash prizes and recognition.

• 18. ExploraVision:

  Summary: A K-12 science competition encouraging students to envision future technologies.

  Pros:  Encourages long-term thinking and innovation. 

  Cons: Requires detailed project planning.

  Date:  Registration closes in February 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Up to $10,000 in savings bonds.

• 19. Breakthrough Junior Challenge:

  Summary: A global competition where students create engaging science videos that explain complex concepts. 

  Pros:  High-profile judges and significant recognition. 

  Cons: Requires strong video production skills and creativity.

  Date:  Submissions open in April 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: $250,000 scholarship, $50,000 for a teacher, and a science lab worth $100,000 for the winner’s school.

• 20. Clean Tech Competition:

  Summary: An international research and design competition focused on solving environmental challenges. 

  Pros:  Emphasizes sustainability and innovation. 

  Cons: Requires substantial research and project development.

  Date:  Registration opens in January 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Up to $10,000 in prizes.

• 21. Science Olympiad:

  Summary: A national competition that challenges students in various STEM-related events.

  Pros:  Wide range of topics, fostering teamwork and diverse skill sets. 

  Cons: Requires significant preparation and practice in multiple disciplines.

  Date:  Various regional and state competitions leading up to the national competition in May 2024.

  Cost: Varies by school and region.

  Prize:  Medals, trophies, and national recognition.

• 22. FIRST Robotics Competition:

  Summary: An international robotics competition where teams design, build, and program robots to compete in a themed challenge. 

  Pros:  Hands-on engineering experience with professional mentorship. 

  Cons: High cost and time commitment for team participation.

  Date: The season starts in January 2024.

  Cost: Registration fees start at $5,000.

  Prize: Trophies, scholarships, and recognition.

• 23. Genius Olympiad:

  Summary: An international high school project competition on environmental issues. 

  Pros:  Promotes global collaboration and environmental awareness.

  Cons:  Focuses only on environmental topics.

  Date:  Submissions are due in March 2024.

  Cost: $75 per project.

  Prize:  Medals, scholarships, and special awards.

• 24. Conrad Challenge:

  Summary: An innovation and entrepreneurship competition for students solving global challenges. 

  Pros:  Encourages innovative thinking with real-world applications. 

  Cons: Requires a detailed business plan and pitch presentation.

  Date: Submission deadline in November 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize: Scholarships, grants, and commercialization opportunities

• 25. Chemistry Olympiad:

  Summary: A competition that challenges high school students with rigorous chemistry exams and lab tests. 

  Pros:  Recognized by universities and prestigious in the field of chemistry. 

  Cons: Highly challenging and requires deep knowledge of chemistry.

  Date:  Local exams typically held in March 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Medals, certificates, and the opportunity to compete internationally.

• 26. MIT THINK Scholars Program:

  Summary: A competition for high school students to develop original research projects with mentorship from MIT.

  Pros: Access to MIT resources and potential campus visits. 

  Cons: Only open to U.S. students.

  Date:  Applications open in November 2024.

  Cost: Free of charge.

  Prize:  Project funding and mentorship.

Want to learn AI and have the opportunity to participate and win in these awesome AI Competitions?

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