Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A global, free team challenge in which students build a functional coded or AI-enabled solution to a real community problem. Open to ages 8–18 in teams of one to five, with three age-based divisions and track options that depend on local programme availability. Success requires sustained coding, user research, testing, ethical reflection, technical explanation and a persuasive pitch, with division-specific documentation and several international judging stages.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this regional science-fair route is for second-level students associated with the Northwest Northern Ireland venue. Entrants submit a project for college-level exhibition, judging and awards through the published route. The main challenge is planning a sound investigation, collecting credible evidence and explaining methods, results and limitations clearly to judges.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A year-round technology and innovation programme in which students develop original ideas, digital skills or research projects with access to mentors and structured guidance. Open to UK and Ireland students aged 11–19, working individually or in teams of up to three; international entry requires prior arrangement. Projects need sustained development, clear evidence and category-specific judging alignment, with older students expected to show stronger sector awareness and ethical reasoning.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, Ireland’s national environmental journalism competition asks young people to investigate a local issue, report solutions and share the work with a real audience. Open to individuals or groups aged 11–25 in participating Green-Schools secondary schools and Green Campus third-level institutions. Success depends on credible research, a clear local-to-global story, a practical solution and thoughtful dissemination across article, photo, video, reel or podcast formats.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, The 2027 U.S. edition is a free individual STEM project competition for eligible Grades 7–12 students who usually live in one of 56 U.S. Competition Regions. Applications close at 11:59 PM ET on 11 April 2027, followed by two review phases and an in-person Washington, DC festival for up to 64 Champions. Entrants must develop an original individual STEM project and present it through written responses, an anonymous PDF and a downloadable video; advancement depends on impact, originality and clear communication across two review phases.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A U.S. civic-engagement contest for students who have moved beyond proposing a good idea and can show meaningful action in a real community. U.S. citizens and U.S.-based students ages 13–19 may enter individually or in groups of up to five through the online portal. Strong entries need credible project execution, evidence of impact and a thoughtful link between practical work, civic principles and concise public communication.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, This school-invigilated astronomy and physics paper combines multiple-choice, short-response and longer analytical questions in a one-hour format. It is for Year 13 students and younger who are studying physics or an equivalent A-level course, with teachers arranging entry and marking. The main challenge is applying familiar physics and data analysis to celestial mechanics, stars, cosmology and observational astronomy in unfamiliar contexts.

QUICK SUMMARY

A Great Britain and Ireland art competition where young people create original two-dimensional artwork responding to an annual theme. Open to young people aged 17 or under living within Rotary GB&I districts, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior age groups. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from artistic originality, interpretation of the theme and progression through local, district and national judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

A Great Britain and Ireland photography competition where young people submit original photographs responding to an annual theme. Open to young people aged 17 or under living within Rotary GB&I districts, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior age groups. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from originality, composition, interpretation of the theme and progression through local, district and national judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A school-year team programme turning research into a practical social innovation project. For school-led teams aged 15 to 18 in Transition Year or Youthreach; an educator registers the group. The challenge is sustaining original action across research, implementation, impact evidence, a detailed report and a confident Speak Out presentation.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, Concern Debates is a long-form schools programme in which students repeatedly research and argue global-justice motions rather than preparing for a single one-off speech. Senior-cycle schools across the island of Ireland register teams of four to six students through a teacher. The season rewards evidence-led argument, rapid rebuttal, coordinated team roles, confident delivery, and the resilience to improve across many rounds.

QUICK SUMMARY

An all-island maths activity programme where students take part in games, puzzles and competitions designed to build numeracy and problem-solving skills. Open to learners of different ages across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with activities available through schools and at home. Rated Beginner Level, with difficulty mainly coming from age-appropriate puzzles, logical thinking and applying maths in engaging contexts.