Blog: Exciting Fall STEM Competitions to Spark Student Engagement

3rd Oct 2024

Fall is the perfect time to kickstart a new academic year with hands-on learning through STEM competitions! These events not only challenge students' minds but also inspire creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Whether your students love math, robotics, or environmental science, these competitions offer exciting ways to deepen their knowledge and skills. Here’s a roundup of four top competitions to get your students involved in this fall.

1. The Hardest Math Problem Contest

Organized by Scholastic, "The Hardest Math Problem" contest is designed to push middle school students (grades 5-8) to the limits of their problem-solving abilities. It challenges students with complex, real-world math problems that go beyond the typical classroom exercises. The contest encourages perseverance and creative thinking, rewarding students who can break down difficult scenarios and find solutions.

Why It’s Exciting:

Real-world problem-solving at its finest.
Teaches students the value of persistence when facing tough challenges.
An opportunity to earn scholarships and classroom prizes.

How Teachers Can Get Involved:
Teachers can register their classrooms and encourage students to submit their solutions. The contest provides an excellent way to introduce deeper mathematical thinking in a structured, engaging format. Even students who may not normally love math will be hooked by the practical application of concepts.

2. NASA TechRise Student Challenge

The NASA TechRise challenge allows middle and high school students to submit ideas for technology experiments to be tested in high-altitude balloon flights or suborbital rocket missions. This competition gives students the unique opportunity to directly engage with cutting-edge aerospace technology.

Why It’s Exciting:

Students can be part of real NASA experiments!
Encourages exploration of aerospace, physics, engineering, and technology.
Great for students who are fascinated by space and want hands-on experience.

How Teachers Can Get Involved:
Teachers can guide their students through the process of brainstorming and submitting innovative experiments. The challenge offers an invaluable introduction to aerospace technology and research, helping students see the direct connection between their studies and real-world space exploration.

Learn more about the NASA TechRise Challenge
URL: https://nasa.yet2.com/?mc_cid=e045ed8bab&mc_eid=d8923e8944

3. Plant the Moon Challenge

In this global competition, students work to create viable agricultural methods using lunar soil simulant, mimicking the conditions of the Moon. The "Plant the Moon Challenge" is perfect for students interested in environmental science, botany, and sustainability, as they research ways to grow crops in challenging environments.

Why It’s Exciting:

Hands-on learning about agriculture, sustainability, and space exploration.
A real-world problem that aligns with future space missions.
Teaches resilience and adaptability in scientific experimentation.

How Teachers Can Get Involved:
Teachers can create teams of students to design and execute their own lunar agriculture projects. By participating in the challenge, students gain experience in environmental research, project management, and collaborative problem-solving, all while considering the future of humanity in space.

Learn more about Plant the Moon
URL: https://plantthemoon.com/

4. Wonder League Robotics Competition

For the tech-savvy and robotics enthusiasts, the Wonder League Robotics Competition (WLRC) is an annual global competition that encourages students to code, design, and compete with robots. Using Wonder Workshop’s Dash and Cue robots, students solve real-world challenges by programming their robots through a series of missions.

Why It’s Exciting:

Hands-on experience with robotics and programming.
Encourages teamwork and collaboration as students work in teams to complete missions.
A great introduction to coding and computational thinking.

How Teachers Can Get Involved:
Teachers can form student teams and guide them as they use Wonder Workshop’s platforms to tackle robotics challenges. The competition fosters creative problem-solving and is ideal for STEM clubs or classroom activities. Dash and Cue robots are highly engaging tools for learning to code, so even students new to robotics can get involved quickly.

LINK TO PURCHASE A WONDER LEAGUE ROBOTICS MAT: Wonder Workshop Robotics Mats | Geyer Instructional Products
https://www.geyerinstructional.com/stem/robotics-c...