National Competitions for High School Students
These contests offer a diverse array of challenges that cater to every interest and skill set, from science and technology to writing and the arts. Propel your learning beyond the classroom, make connections, and potentially earn scholarships and prizes that acknowledge your hard work and unique talents. Explore these opportunities to find the perfect match for your interests and aspirations, and take the first step towards a future rich with possibilities.
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BUILD’s Design Challenge: This competition is for students in grades 7–12 to use design thinking to create solutions for real-world challenges. It helps develop entrepreneurial skills and empathy.
C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition: Middle and high school students can create a documentary based on an annual theme.
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NAQT Quiz Bowl: A fast-paced buzzer competition covering a wide range of subjects, including popular culture and current events.
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National History Day (NHD): An annual event that promotes critical thinking skills through project-based learning, starting locally and potentially advancing to the national level.
New York Times Student Writing Contests: Offers monthly writing contests for middle and high school students on various topics.
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Ocean Awareness Contest: Invites students ages 11 to 18 to explore ocean-related themes.
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Microsoft Imagine Cup: A technology competition where students create solutions using Microsoft Azure.
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Congressional App Challenge: Tasks students with creating an original app, with winners being featured on the House of Representatives website.
DECA Competitive Events: Offers a variety of events in fields such as Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, and more, for DECA members.
USA Computing Olympiad: An online programming contest with the opportunity for top students to represent the U.S. internationally.
American Mathematics Competitions (AMC): A series of mathematics competitions that build problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge.
The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition: An opportunity for students to hone their writing skills, with prompts provided by The Harvard Crimson.
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