Free guide · Grades 6 to 12

Academic competitions and the science fair

Competitions build skills, friendships and a strong application. A guide to well-known national options and how to get started, plus a science fair project plan.

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Well-known national competitions

Math: MATHCOUNTS (middle school) and the AMC 8, 10 and 12
Science: Science Olympiad, and science fairs that lead to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
History: National History Day
Robotics: FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition
Speaking: speech and debate through the National Speech & Debate Association, and Model UN
Spelling: the Scripps National Spelling Bee (through grade 8)

Getting started

Ask the school which teams already exist and who coaches them
No team? Many competitions allow a parent or community coach to register one
Check registration deadlines, often early in the school year

Science fair project plan

Pick a question you can test at home or school safely
Research what is already known and write a hypothesis
Plan the experiment: variables, controls and how many trials
Collect data in a notebook with dates
Make a clear display: question, method, results, conclusion
Practice explaining the project in two minutes

General information from Caveat Academic Services, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules vary by state, school and college; confirm with each one.

Want help with this part? Your Caveat advisor can match competitions to your student's interests and build them into the activities plan.

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This tool is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.