Top 15 Tech Competitions for High School Students
Participating in tech competitions is a fantastic way for high school students to showcase their skills, learn new concepts, and stand out in college applications. These contests test students on a variety of tech principles like coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and data science.
Engaging in these competitions not only boosts problem-solving skills but also helps in networking with like-minded peers and industry experts. Plus, they often provide hands-on experience that's highly valued by top universities. So, if you're aiming for a spot in one of the top 30 universities, diving into tech competitions can be a game-changer for your profile!
Having said that, in this blog, we have compiled a list of the top 15 tech competitions for high school students.
1. Imagine Cup
Imagine Cup is your opportunity to use technology to tackle global issues and create a project that could make a real impact. Success in this competition requires a blend of coding skills, teamwork, and a passion for social change—qualities that Microsoft values in their community.
Given its global reach, the competition is highly competitive and attracts students with varying skill levels. It features multiple stages, including online semifinals, regional finals, and the world championship. Here is everything you need to know to win the Microsoft Imagine Cup!
Location: Varies, includes online stages
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
Ages 16+, forming teams of up to 3
Prize: Cash prizes up to $100,000
Registration Deadline: January 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: March to May 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
2. Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge, organized district-wide by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, is perfect for students eager to elevate their coding skills and apply technical knowledge to meaningful projects. Participants are challenged to design and develop their own unique mobile or web app, delving into the complexities of computer science and problem-solving. This competition encourages students to tackle real-world issues using technology.
Winners not only receive recognition for their coding abilities but also get the chance to showcase their apps to Congress members and the wider tech community. Awards often include scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and invitations to tech-related events. Winning this challenge validates your capacity to use technology for positive impact and enhances your profile in technology and innovation circles.
We’ve done a deep dive into this competition, so if you are interested in participating, you can check it out here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
Must be a middle or high school student in a participating congressional district and must also be a residents of such district.
Teams may not have more than 4 members.
Prize: Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives website. Winners are also invited to attend a reception on Capitol Hill and may be awarded additional sponsor prizes.
Registration Deadline: Open now for 2024. Register here.
Competition Dates: October 24th, 2024
FIRST Robotics is a renowned team-based programming competition where teams face strict rules, limited resources, and tight deadlines to build an industrial-sized robot. The goal is to create a machine that excels in a complex field game, requiring detailed strategic planning. Preparation involves researching past challenges to develop effective strategies.
Teams also need to engage in fundraising to support their efforts, highlighting both their technical and non-technical skills. Key competencies for participants include proficiency in prototyping, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), and programming languages like Java, C++, or LabVIEW. This competition could be great for you if you are looking to showcase your engineering and teamwork abilities!
We’ve covered this competition in detail, which you can check out here!
Location: Broad variety of locations. You can find them here
Cost: Team registrations are usually $6000
Eligibility:
High School Students aged between 14 and 18.
Teams must have at least 10 students with 2 adult mentors.
Note - Teams are usually affiliated with schools, local educational institutions, or organizations, so it’s best to check whether such an organization already exists in your community. If not, you can independently organize it as well!
Prize: A broad swathe of scholarships and cash prizes for the top scorers
Registration Deadline: November 12, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: Early January through April 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
4. World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth 2024
Students from around the world can join this AI competition, competing in categories based on their education level: elementary, middle, or high school. Participants can enter individually or in teams and select from three tracks: AI Showcase, AI-Generated Art, or AI Large Language Model. Projects are evaluated on understanding AI use, community impact, and user experience.
If you advance to the final round, you'll present your project and participate in a Q&A session before the winner is announced. Past winners have created impressive projects like an AI app for the visually impaired and an AI-driven face mask detector. This competition is great for anyone passionate about AI ethics and using AI to address significant community issues.
Location: Online and in-person options available (in-person competitions can be co-hosted with local organizers in other countries)
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
Students aged 6 – 18
Prize: Students receive awards, but there is no monetary prize
Registration Deadline: November 25, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: December 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
5. International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
The IOI is the world chess championship of coding. It challenges students to solve algorithmic problems within a fixed time, involving concepts such as planar graphs, structured decomposition, combinatorial game theory, and more! The level of competition and prestige means that winning here means you've got top-notch problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of algorithms.
To prepare for the competition, you should master algorithmic and data structure concepts. Additionally, look at practicing C++ as its one of the most common programs used by competitions. You can check out their resources here!
If you are interested, check out this ultimate guide to IOI!
Location: Varies annually
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
High school students selected through national contests
Prize: Medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze)
Registration Deadline: Varies by country (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: August 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
The Conrad Challenge is an exciting opportunity for students interested in cybersecurity. Open to students aged 13-18, this global competition lets you become an entrepreneur and solve real-world problems using science, technology, and innovation. You’ll work in teams of 2-5, guided through stages from idea generation to final presentations.
There is no cost to enter, and participants can compete from anywhere in the world. The competition culminates in the chance to earn scholarships, entrepreneurial support, and the prestigious title of Pete Conrad Scholar. You don’t need prior experience, but using resources from the Student Resources Library can help.
If you are interested, you can look at our blog, which covers this competition in detail!
Location: Space Center Houston and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (for finalists)
Cost: $50 application fee + $425 participation fee per participant
Eligibility:
Open to all high school students
Must be accompanied by an adult
You may enter as an individual or a team of up to 5 people.
Prize: Academic scholarships to esteemed universities and admission to entrepreneurial accelerators.
Registration Deadline: (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: From August 2024 to April 2025
7. American Computer Science League
ACSL offers exciting computer programming and computer science competitions designed specifically for K-12 schools, organizations, and local groups. These competitions span multiple seasons, accommodating students of all ages and skill levels ensuring that everyone finds an appropriate challenge.
Throughout each season, which includes four contests, you'll be tested on fundamental concepts in computer science, including programming. Topics range widely, covering everything from Number Systems and Boolean Algebra to Digital Electronics. In the higher divisions, each contest includes a programming challenge where you'll apply your skills in Python, C++, or Java. This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application provides a thorough learning experience, preparing you for the dynamic field of computer science.
Check out this ultimate guide to ACSL!
Location: Schools worldwide
Cost: Varies by school, ranges from $75 - $150
Eligibility:
Middle school students who are enrolled in public, private, or home schools in the United States or abroad are eligible to participate in ACSL contests.
Prize: Certificates
Registration Deadline: November 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: December - May 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
8. CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Program
CyberPatriot's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition is the world's largest cybersecurity competition for students. Open to high school and middle school students, this competition challenges teams to find and fix vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems.
Teams consist of 2-6 students, one coach, technical mentors, and team assistants. Divisions include Open (general high school students), All Service (JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadet Corps), and Middle School. No prior cybersecurity knowledge is required, and training materials are provided.
We’ve covered this competition in detail, which you can check out here!
Location: Maryland
Cost: $205 for Open Division (discounts are provided for early registration by July 2023). Eligibility:
Must be in middle school or high school.
Students in JROTC programs have their own divisions.
Prize: Scholarship money (exact amount varies). The top team will have all expenses covered for the final round in Maryland.
Registration + Submission Deadline: April 1st to October 3rd, 2024
Competition Dates: From October 2024 to March 2025
9. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
With an acceptance rate of just 2-5%, the Regeneron ISEF is both highly competitive and incredibly prestigious. It is a project-based science competition where you must present an individual or team-based research project that belongs to one of these categories (a wide range of subjects in the field of science). The research must be conducted within a 12-month period.
However, eligibility hinges on first participating in and being shortlisted at a regional or local fair, which can seem like a lengthy process. Despite this, the recognition and opportunities provided by ISEF are well worth the effort.
If you want to get an idea of the kind of projects accepted, you can go through project abstracts here. You can also check out our complete guide to ISEF here!
Location: Los Angeles. CA
Cost: $25 registration fee
Eligibility:
All (even international) high school students
Prize: $5,000 for the first place with cash awards going to 3 runners-up
Registration Deadline: 12 days after the regional/local fair (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: Regional/local fairs usually conclude by April; ISEF takes place from May 11 - May 17, 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
10. USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
USACO represents the national round of the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), a prestigious competition aimed at sparking interest in computing science and information technology among high school students. Sponsored by UNESCO and IFIP, it stands among the top five international science olympiads. The competition spans two days of intense computer programming and algorithmic problem-solving, challenging you to showcase your coding skills and logical reasoning abilities.
To participate in USACO, you'll need proficiency in popular competitive programming languages like Java, C++, or Python. However, the focus lies on honing your algorithmic thinking and mastering fundamental algorithms and data structures. Understanding Big-O notation and identifying algorithmic bottlenecks are crucial for excelling in this competition.
You can also check out some great resources here to help you prepare for USACO!
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Eligibility:
High school students in the USA
Prize: Opportunity to advance to IOI and other international olympiads.
Registration Deadline: TBA
Competition Dates: December to March 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
11. RoboRAVE
RoboRAVE is an international competition where students compete with their own self-designed robots, emphasizing learning, teamwork, and fun. It's a global event open to teams from around the world, not just the local region. Founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, RoboRAVE is now held across five continents.
This team-based competition encourages participants to practice their skills in languages like Python, Arduino, and Scratch to enhance their robot's performance. Practice is key to succeeding in this dynamic and engaging event.
If you are interested, you can check this detailed guide here!
Location: Germany (for 2024, TBA for 2025)
Cost: Not specified
Eligibility:
Age group 1: 10 - 13; Age group 2: 14 - 20.
A team consists of two to four members.
Prize: Prize money
Registration Deadline: The deadline to register for 2024 was June 18, 2023. The deadline for 2025 is to be announced. You can register here.
Competition Dates: 17 November, 2024
12. Stanford ACM | Stanford ProCo
Stanford ProCo is a challenging coding competition tailored for high school students, modeled after the prestigious ACM-ICPC format. You and your team, up to three members, will tackle 9 to 15 algorithmic problems within a demanding 3-hour window. You can submit your solutions in C, C++, Java, or Python 3.6, giving you plenty of programming options.
This competition tests your algorithmic skills, pushing you to solve complex problems while refining your debugging and troubleshooting abilities. With both novice and advanced categories, ProCo caters to different skill levels, ensuring a challenging yet inclusive experience for everyone involved.
Location: Stanford Campus, CA
Cost: Not specified
Eligibility:
High School Students in the Bay Area
Teams of a maximum of three people.
Prize: Variety of Prizes offered, TBA. Previous years have included Raspberry Pi, Nintendo 3DSes, and iPad minis.
Registration Deadline: Opens a month to a month and a half before ProCo (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: Mid-April 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
13. VEX Robotics
Organized by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, the Vex AI Competition is an excellent opportunity for you to dive into the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Along with your team, you will work on two robots.
The main focus is on creating robots that can autonomously interact with their environment, such as navigating an obstacle course. You'll need to be familiar with motor planning, computer vision, and haptic feedback integration for this project. Keep in mind you might need to apply through your school or another organization to participate in this competition.
We’ve covered this competition in detail, which you can check out here!
Location: Online and in-person components included (varies by region and year)
Cost: $200, and extra costs might be incurred due to the required hardware
Eligibility:
High school and university-level students
Prize: Not specified
Registration Deadline: October 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Competition Dates: June 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
14. TechOlympics
TechOlympics offers a blend of competitions, workshops, and seminars. It's not just about coding; it encompasses the broader tech landscape. To succeed, you need to be well-versed in current tech trends and possess a diverse skill set, like connecting ideas effortlessly and confidently presenting your project to an audience.
Location: Varies, often in major cities
Cost: $100
Eligibility:
Must be high school students
Prize: Scholarships and tech prizes
Registration Deadline: To be announced
Competition Dates: Mid-February 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
15. Technology Student Association Competitions
The Technology Student Association (TSA) invites middle and high school students with a passion for STEM to showcase their talents in over 40 diverse competitions, including software development and coding. TSA's events cater to both team-based and individual preferences, allowing you to choose what suits you best.
No matter the format, the key skill required across all events is problem-solving. You'll need to apply your programming abilities and creativity to tackle complex problems efficiently in TSA's software development and coding competitions.
Location: Hosted in different cities every year.
Cost: Not specified
Eligibility:
Must be in grades 7 to 12.
Prize: Trophies and certificates. Details of any other prizes are not known.
Registration Deadline: Variable based on selected competition
Competition Dates: Variable based on selected competition
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Congressional App Challenge Logo