Opportunities for K-12 Students
Younger competitors can demonstrate their skill in converting a gasoline car to electric power, designing the "School of the Future" and more in these competitions sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other organizations.
DOE-Sponsored
America's Home Energy Education Challenge
Sponsored by DOE and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the Challenge is designed to 1) educate students across the United States in grades 3-8 about energy and the benefits of energy efficiency, 2) teach students to recognize that lowering their home energy use saves money and 3) engage students and their families in a save energy, save money initiative.
National Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competitions
This DOE program challenges student teams in grades 6-8 to construct model solar and hydrogen fuel cell cars and race them.
National Science Bowl
This DOE-sponsored academic competition brings teams of high school students together to answer questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science.
Non-DOE-Sponsored
General Energy and Environment
Climate Generation Program
The British Council, in partnership with the California Air Resources Board and the Will Steger Foundation, launched in 2010 this school-based learning competition connecting environmental curriculum with climate action projects.
Council of Educational Facility Planners, International (CEFPI) Design Competition
This annual competition, open to middle school students, challenges students to design their schools to enhance learning, conserve resources, be environmentally responsive, and engage the surrounding community.
Foundation for Water & Energy Education: Energize our Future College Scholarships
College scholarships are available for five high school students in the northwestern United States who write the best essays about the Northwest's energy future.
Igniting Creative Energy Challenge
This educational competition encourages K-12 students to learn more about energy and the environment.
National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project Youth Awards
The NEED Youth Awards Program combines academic competition with recognition to acknowledge everyone involved in NEED programs during the year and to recognize those who achieve excellence in energy education in their schools and communities.
Technologies and Engineering
ExploraVision
This competition, administered by the National Science Teachers Association, encourages K-12 students to create technologies of the future.
Imagine Tomorrow
Washington State University's Imagine Tomorrow challenges high school students to seek new ways to support the transition to alternate energy sources. Students research complex topics, then innovate technologies, designs, or plans to mobilize behavior.
JETS: Junior Engineering Technical Society
This annual engineering design competition challenges students in grades 9-12 to design and build an assistive technology device to help a person with severe disabilities succeed in his or her workplace.
Shell Eco-marathon
The Shell Eco-marathon challenges high school and college student teams from around the world to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles. With annual events in the Americas, Europe and Asia, the winner is the team that goes the furthest distance using the least amount of energy.
The Real World Design Challenge (Grades 9-12)
This annual event provides high school students, grades 9-12, the opportunity to work on real world engineering challenges in a team environment.