Free Competitions for High School Students to Enter

Competitions provide an excellent opportunity for high school students to challenge themselves, build skills, and enhance their college applications—all without any cost. Whether you're passionate about writing, science, art, public speaking, or technology, there are numerous free competitions available that allow students to showcase their talents and gain valuable experience.

Winning or even participating in these competitions can lead to scholarships, networking opportunities, and personal growth. Below is a comprehensive list of free competitions across various disciplines that high school students can enter.

1. Writing and Essay Competitions

For students who enjoy writing, these competitions offer a chance to express ideas, improve writing skills, and gain recognition.

John Locke Institute Essay Competition

This international competition challenges students to write essays on topics related to philosophy, politics, economics, and history. Winners receive awards, mentorship opportunities, and invitations to the John Locke Institute summer program.

Ocean Awareness Contest

This competition invites students to write about environmental challenges affecting the ocean. It accepts poetry, essays, and multimedia entries, with winners receiving cash prizes and recognition for their environmental advocacy.

Annual DNA Day Essay Contest (American Society of Human Genetics)

This contest encourages students to explore genetic topics and discuss their impact on society. Winners receive cash prizes and gain exposure to the field of genetics.

The New York Times Student Editorial Contest

Students submit persuasive editorials on topics of their choice. Winning essays are published in The New York Times, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their writing to a wide audience.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

This is one of the most prestigious competitions for young writers in the United States. Winners receive scholarships and the opportunity to have their work exhibited nationally.

2. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Competitions

Students interested in STEM can participate in competitions that test their problem-solving abilities, research skills, and innovation.

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

ISEF is the largest pre-college science competition in the world. Students present independent research projects in various fields of science and engineering. Winners receive scholarships, internships, and global recognition.

CyberPatriot (National Youth Cyber Defense Competition)

This competition is designed for students interested in cybersecurity. Participants work to protect virtual networks from cyber threats. The competition helps students develop valuable technical skills and offers scholarship opportunities.

Google Science Fair

Open to students worldwide, this competition challenges participants to solve real-world problems through science and technology. Winners receive scholarships and mentorship from Google engineers.

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge

This applied mathematics competition allows students to work in teams to solve real-world problems using mathematical models. Winners receive cash prizes and national recognition.

3. Art and Design Competitions

For students who are passionate about visual arts, these competitions allow them to showcase their creativity and artistic skills.

Doodle for Google

Students create a Google Doodle based on a given theme. The winning artwork is featured on Google’s homepage, and the student receives a scholarship.

Science Without Borders Challenge

This contest focuses on ocean conservation and invites students to create artwork that raises awareness about environmental issues. Winners receive cash prizes and may have their work exhibited globally.

Global Canvas Wildlife Art Competition

This competition encourages students to create artwork that promotes wildlife conservation. Participants gain exposure for their work while supporting an important cause.

4. Debate and Public Speaking Competitions

Public speaking and debate competitions help students develop communication skills, confidence, and the ability to think critically.

National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Competitions

NSDA offers a variety of competitions, including public speaking, debate, and interpretation events. Participants can earn national rankings and scholarships.

International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)

This competition involves both written and oral debates on public policy issues. Winners receive prizes, mentorship, and opportunities to compete internationally.

5. Environmental and Social Impact Competitions

For students passionate about making a difference, these competitions encourage innovative solutions to global challenges.

World of 7 Billion Video Contest

Students create short videos that address global challenges related to population growth. Winners receive cash prizes and national recognition for their work.

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

This competition raises awareness about marine conservation through writing, art, and film. Winners receive scholarships and opportunities to have their work published.

6. Business and Economics Competitions

Students interested in entrepreneurship and economics can participate in these competitions to gain hands-on experience in problem-solving and innovation.

Fed Challenge (Federal Reserve Bank)

Teams of students analyze economic conditions and recommend monetary policy actions. The winning teams get the opportunity to present at the Federal Reserve Bank.

Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs

This competition invites students to develop and pitch a business idea or social venture. Winners receive mentorship, seed funding, and scholarships.

Final Thoughts: Why Enter These Competitions?

Participating in free competitions offers several benefits, including:

• Enhancing college applications by showcasing academic and extracurricular achievements.
• Providing opportunities to win scholarships and financial support.
• Developing valuable skills in writing, research, problem-solving, and public speaking.
• Gaining real-world experience and networking with professionals in various fields.

There are countless free competitions available for high school students, and participating in them can open doors to new opportunities. Explore the options that align with your interests, start preparing early, and take full advantage of these experiences.