Best Opportunities for Middle Schoolers (6th-8th Grade)
Top competitions, scholarships, and programs open to middle schoolers (6th-8th grade).
92 opportunities found
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
From the Top and Jack Kent Cooke FoundationAnnual $10,000 scholarship for 20 outstanding young classical musicians demonstrating financial need to support advanced musical training.
National Science Bowl
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)Nationwide academic competition testing students' knowledge in science and mathematics through fast-paced Q&A format.
Science Olympiad
Science OlympiadAcademic competition with 23 team events in STEM disciplines for middle and high school students, culminating in a national tournament.
Cooke Young Scholars Program
Jack Kent Cooke FoundationSelective five-year pre-college scholarship for 7th grade students with financial need, including academic support and summer programs.
Illinois History Day
Illinois State Museum6-12th grade project-based program for researching and competing in history competitions, with advancement to national competition.
National History Day (NHD) in DC
DC History Center, National History Day Inc.Students research and present on annual NHD themes through various formats. DC-wide contest in March with advancement to national competition.
Texas History Day
Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)Project-based statewide research program and competition for grades 3-12 affiliated with National History Day, where students investigate primary sour...
Davidson Institute Gifted Programs
Davidson InstituteEducational programs for profoundly gifted middle and high school students, offering online courses, in-person academy, and scholarships.
FIRST® Tech Challenge
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)Students design and build robots to compete in annual challenges, developing STEM skills and engineering innovation.
Society for Science Affiliated Fairs Network
Society for ScienceNetwork of local, regional, state and national science fairs across 70+ countries for 6th-12th grade students to compete and advance to ISEF.
42nd Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament
Science Olympiad, University of Southern California (USC)The highest level of science competition for middle and high school teams across the nation, held at USC in Los Angeles.
Mississippi History Day
Mississippi Department of Archives & HistoryState affiliate of National History Day competition for middle and high school students to conduct historical research around annual themes.
National Science Olympiad 2026
Science OlympiadNational Science Olympiad tournament featuring competitions in STEM events across Division B and C at USC in Los Angeles.
Capitol Hill Challenge
SIFMA Foundation, presented by the Charles Schwab FoundationNational financial education competition for public middle and high schools where student teams manage a hypothetical $100,000 investment portfolio.
StudentCam
C-SPANAnnual student documentary competition awarding $100,000 in cash prizes to top 150 student filmmakers and their teachers.
Oklahoma National History Day
Oklahoma Historical SocietyAcademic program for grades 6-12 where students research historical topics, create projects, and compete at regional, state, and national levels.
PLTW Community Impact Awards
Project Lead The Way (PLTW)Recognition awards for PLTW students creating real-world community impact through design and biomedical science projects.
One Teen Story Contest
One StoryAnnual writing contest for teens ages 13-19 to submit original short fiction about the teen experience. Winners published and paid $500.
AISES Membership
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)Membership program providing STEM resources, mentorship, and community for Indigenous students, educators, and professionals.
AwesomeMath STEM Academy
AwesomeMathFall and Spring semester virtual classes for talented middle and high school students in competition math, olympiad physics, and college math prep.
Math League Asia–Pacific Region
Math LeagueLeading program for developing mathematical thinking among primary and secondary school students through competitions and tournaments.
Creative Writing
Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI)Students write original short stories (1,500 words max) responding to future-focused annual topics, competing individually across three grade division...
National History Day - Local State Contests
National History Day (NHD)State-level history competitions where students research historical topics and present projects in various formats.
National History Day 2027
National History DayAnnual history competition for students exploring the theme 'Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change'
Botball Robotics
NASA Robotics Alliance ProjectTeam-oriented robotics competition for middle and high school students involving design, build, programming, and documentation of robots.
Poetry in Voice
Poetry in VoiceNational poetry recitation competition for Canadian students with cash prizes and travel awards exceeding $75,000.
National History Day in Delaware (NHDDE)
Delaware Historical SocietyAnnual educational competition for grades 6-12 where students conduct historical research and create projects including performances, exhibits, docume...
NSDA Student Membership
National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA)Join a school-based team to compete in speech and debate events, access training resources, and qualify for the National Tournament.
National History Day - Rhode Island
Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS)Students conduct historical research and present projects as documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites in annual competition.
StudentCam – 22nd Annual Student Documentary Competition
C-SPANNational video documentary competition encouraging students in grades 6-12 to explore America's founding principles and the Declaration of Independenc...
Maryland History Day
Maryland HumanitiesAnnual history competition for middle and high school students to create original projects exploring historical themes through documentaries, exhibits...
National History Day in Minnesota
Minnesota Historical SocietyCo-curricular program for students in grades 6-12 focusing on historical research and analysis on topics of their choosing.
Botball Educational Robotics
KIPR (KInetic Intelligence and Robotics)Team-based robotics competition where middle and high school students design, build, and program fully autonomous robots using real engineering skills...
Connecticut History Day
Connecticut Democracy Center / National History DayAnnual program engaging middle and high school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project-based learning...
WRO Our Future Innovators Category
WRO AssociationProject-based robotics competition where students create innovative solutions to real-world problems. Teams present their robot and project to judges.
California Mathematics League
California Mathematics LeagueState-level mathematics competition for middle and high school students in California with multiple grade-level contests.
Massachusetts History Day
Massachusetts Historical SocietyState affiliate of National History Day where students conduct historical research and present projects as documentaries, websites, performances, pape...
National Robotics Challenge
The National Robotics Challenge (NRC)Open-platform robotics competition for students grades 6-12+ emphasizing engineering creativity with low costs and no mandatory kit requirements.
The Tech Challenge
The Tech Museum of InnovationEngineering design competition where students solve real-world problems through collaborative team projects, culminating in an April showcase.
STEM Racing Secondary
STEM RacingInternational STEM competition for students aged 11-19 to design, build, and race cars while developing engineering and project management skills.
CEMC Student Workshops
Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC), University of WaterlooMultiple enrichment workshops in mathematics and computer science for Canadian students grades 6-12, including Math Circles, coding workshops, and inv...
Urban Schools Initiative
Science OlympiadScience Olympiad program providing support, training, and competition opportunities for students in urban schools through mentorship and regional comp...
C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition
C-SPAN Television NetworkAnnual documentary competition for middle and high school students to create videos on government and civic topics.
Future Problem Solving Program International - Creative Writing
Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI)Students write original short stories (1,500 words or less) imagining outcomes of future scenarios based on annual problem topics.
Model United Nations Annual Awards and Rankings
Best DelegateAnnual awards celebrating excellence in Model UN across college, high school, and middle school levels, recognizing individuals and organizations.
Institute for Speech and Debate
Institute for Speech and DebateNationally recognized speech and debate summer camp with day and overnight programs for middle and high school students.
AwesomeMath
AwesomeMathEnriching mathematics and physics programs for gifted middle and high school students, including summer programs, year-round academy, and online resou...
Oregon History Day
Oregon Historical SocietyStudents present Oregon history projects in five categories, competing at regional and state levels toward National History Day.
Wisconsin Envirothon
Wisconsin Land+WaterAnnual statewide hands-on environmental science competition for middle and high school teams testing knowledge in aquatic ecology, forestry, soils, an...
CyLab Security Academy Competitions
CyLab Security AcademyTimed cybersecurity CTF competitions for US middle and high school students throughout the year with an annual flagship event.
Terrapin K Ethics Tournaments
Terrapin K Ethics / Modus Ponens InstituteOnline ethics olympiads for middle and high school students emphasizing respectful, rigorous ethical discussion across the Americas and Europe.
CREATE Robotics
CREATE FoundationRobotics competition organization hosting U.S. Open tournaments for high school and middle school students.
DoW STEM Programs
Department of War / Army Educational Outreach ProgramMultiple STEM competition and enrichment programs including eCYBERMISSION, GEMS summer program, and Junior Solar Sprint for middle and high school stu...
National History Day Georgia
Georgia Humanities and LaGrange CollegeStudents research historical topics related to an annual theme and present findings through exhibits, papers, documentaries, websites, or performances...
The Model United Nations Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Learn Model UN / Georgetown UniversitySummer Model UN camp at Georgetown University offering daily simulations, leadership training, and debate skills for middle and high school students.
MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop
MIPA (Michigan Interscholastic Press Association)Five-day residential summer program at Michigan State University for students grades 7-12 to explore journalism and media on campus.
Model United Nations Institute Summer Camp UCLA
Model United Nations InstituteWeek-long summer camp at UCLA for middle and high school students to learn Model UN, public speaking, debate, diplomacy, and global problem-solving th...
The Model United Nations Institute Summer Camp at Georgetown University
Model United Nations InstituteWeek-long Model UN summer camp at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. for middle and high school students with daily simulations, leadership tra...
BIEA STEM 2022 Rebuild Challenge
BIEA (British Institute of Environmental and Applied Biology)Design sustainable school buildings for disaster-affected areas. Students create presentations with architectural plans and sustainable building conce...
2027 National History Day in Pennsylvania State Contest
University of Scranton / National History DayState-level history competition for middle and high school students. Participants create projects on annual themes.
The Past is Prologue Essay Contest
American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF)Essay contest exploring the legacy of American military service overseas by writing about historic battles linked to U.S. military cemeteries or monum...
Junior Botball Challenge
KISS Institute for Practical RoboticsInteractive STEM program teaching robotics fundamentals through hands-on activities for students of all levels.
Sacred Heart Network Exchange Program
Carrollton School of The Sacred HeartDomestic and international exchange program allowing students to experience Sacred Heart education at partner schools for 1-4 weeks.
Davidson Academy Admissions - Eligibility Testing
Davidson Academy, University of Nevada, RenoTesting eligibility requirements for admission to Davidson Academy, a school for gifted students in Nevada.
Alaska History Day
Alaska History DayStudents in grades 6-12 create historical projects, build research skills, and learn project management and writing skills.
NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests
NewPagesComprehensive guide to writing contests for young writers, including Scholastic Awards, poetry, and various literary competitions.
Questions: Philosophy for Young People Journal
PLATO (Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization) / Philosophy Documentation CenterAnnual journal publishing philosophical work by K-12 students including essays, poetry, art, and multimedia projects.
Ignite Their Future - STEM Summer Workshops
ISU (Idaho State University) - Center for Excellence in Teaching and ResearchIn-person STEM summer camp with hands-on activities, multiple tracks, and competition opportunities for students
Short-Term Programs at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind3-5 day courses for students who are blind/visually impaired focusing on expanded core curriculum skills including independent living, technology, and...
VOICES/VOIX Monthly Prize - Poetry in Voice
Poetry in VoiceCanadian student poetry competition with monthly $100 prizes and publication opportunities in VOICES/VOIX journal.
ALA-LA-MISS Mathematics League
ALA-LA-MISS Mathematics LeagueRegional mathematics competition for middle and high school students across Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Science Olympiad - Start a Team
Science OlympiadGuide for starting a Science Olympiad team at your middle or high school, including six steps for team building and competition preparation.
Stock Market Game
SIFMA FoundationVirtual stock market simulation competition where students manage a portfolio and compete with peers.
Spirit of Math Summer Camps
Spirit of MathOnline and in-person summer math camps for Grades 2-9 featuring problem-solving, advanced concepts, and competition prep.
Virtual Botball Academy
KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR)Free virtual STEM and robotics program with coding training using web-based 3D simulator and IDE for students and teachers.
Summer Academy Camps
University of Georgia60+ hands-on STEAM and career exploration camps for middle and high school students at UGA Athens and Tifton locations.
BGSU NORTech Robotics Competition
Bowling Green State University (BGSU)Annual Northwest Ohio Regional Technology robotics competition for grades 6-12 students to compete in various robotics engineering challenges.
#recitepoetry School Contests
Poetry in VoiceMulti-level poetry recitation competition where students memorize and recite poems in English, French, or both languages.
MUN Institute Summer Camp
MUN InstituteVirtual and on-campus Model UN summer programs for ages 9-18, building public speaking, debate, and leadership skills through diplomatic simulations.
Wildcat Speech and Debate Camp
K-State Olathe CampusSummer speech and debate camp offering debate in AM and speech/forensics in PM with flexible half-day or full-day options.
Beaver Computing Challenge
Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC), University of WaterlooOnline multiple-choice contest introducing students to computer science concepts and problem-solving techniques.
Mathisi-fy Holiday
Mathisi-fyHardware and software hackathon project competition with cybersecurity and COVID-19 community tracks, running November 2023 to January 2024.
Poetry in Voice - School Recitation Contests
Poetry in VoiceSchool-based poetry recitation competition where students memorize and perform poems, competing at classroom and school levels before advancing to nat...
Guam History Day
Guam Preservation Trust and University of Guam Micronesian Area Research CenterYearlong program for middle and high school students to creatively develop perspectives of Guam's history through research and presentations based on ...
Poetry in Voice School Contest
Poetry in VoiceRecitation competition for high school students to memorize and recite poems, with classroom and school-level contests leading to national finals.
Texas Regional Volunteer - Junior Botball Challenge Day
Botball Educational Robotics ProgramStudents demonstrate computer science progress using autonomous robots by completing hands-on challenges at their skill level.
UNPLUGGED Hackathon
NNHS Programming ClubBeginner-friendly hackathon for high school and middle school students to build creative programming projects in a single day.
New Mexico Regional Junior Botball Challenge Day
Botball Educational Robotics ProgramA hands-on autonomous robotics event where students complete computer science challenges at their skill level using Botball robots.
Homeschool Programs at The Florida Aquarium
The Florida AquariumHands-on homeschool classes featuring aquarium tours, interactive labs, and field experiences for students ages 6-16.
IEA Academy
Educational AdvancementSummer STEM and enrichment courses for middle/high school students including robotics, astronomy, architecture, science experiments, and mythology.
AquaCamps
The Florida AquariumScience-based summer and school year camps for kids ages 3-18 featuring hands-on learning, animal encounters, and aquatic education.
North Carolina History Day
North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural ResourcesInspires historical inquiry in middle and high school classrooms through hands-on discovery as part of National History Day.