Engineering as a discipline becomes easier to understand when you move beyond theory and start working through actual problems. For high school students looking to engage with this process early, engineering competitions are one of the smartest choices. They present a specific challenge, set clear expectations, and require you to work within defined timelines and constraints.
These competitions for high school students help you build skills like problem-solving, design thinking, and teamwork. You might design a prototype, write code, or test a system under constraints. This gives you work you can show in college applications, whether as a project, a ranking, or documented participation. The engineering competitions for high school students in this list were selected based on challenge level, structure, and the kind of outcomes they offer.
Why should you take part in engineering competitions in high school?
Engineering competitions for high school students help you move beyond theory and apply what you learn. You work through a problem from start to finish, often in teams, and learn how to test and improve your approach. They also give you clear results you can refer to later. Whether it is a completed project or a competition result, you have something specific to include in your applications.
To make your search easier, here are 15 engineering competitions for high school students! If you want to develop a better understanding of engineering before joining these competitions, check out our blog on online engineering programs here.
15 Engineering Competitions for High School Students
1. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Location: Multiple regional and national venues across the United States and internationally
Cost: Starts from $6,300 per season
Dates: January 10 – May 2
Application Deadline: November 18
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; teams must be sponsored by a school or organization
FIRST Robotics Competition is a team-based engineering competition where you design, build, and program an industrial-sized robot for a new game each season. You work on mechanical systems like chassis design, gear ratios, and motor integration, while also coding control systems using WPILib and sensor feedback. The robot must complete specific field tasks, both autonomously and through driver control, during matches. You test and refine your design through multiple iterations under strict time constraints. Alongside building, you manage budgets, documentation, and team roles. The competition ends in regional and national events where your robot competes in alliance-based matches.
2. FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Location: Multiple regional and national venues globally; competitions held at schools and convention centers.
Cost: Around $1,500 total to start a team (registration + basic kit)
Dates: Typically opens around September
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in grades 7-12
FIRST Tech Challenge is a robotics competition where you build a smaller, modular robot and focus heavily on programming and game strategy. You use standardized kits to design mechanisms and write Java-based code for Android controllers. Your robot must perform both autonomous and driver-controlled actions during matches. The shorter build cycle pushes you to prototype quickly and improve performance through testing. You also prepare engineering notebooks that document your design and coding process. Matches are played in alliances, so coordination and consistency matter as much as design.
3. Technology Student Association (TSA) TEAMS Competition
Location: State-level competitions held at schools throughout the United States; national tournament.
Cost: $150 per team to register
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A
Dates: Typically January and February
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students; teams of 2-4 members.
TSA TEAMS is a multi-part engineering competition where you solve a themed real-world problem through different formats. You complete a design and build challenge, answer multiple-choice questions based on math and science, and work on mathematical modeling using equations. You also write an essay analyzing an engineering topic related to the theme. Each section tests a different skill, from calculations to technical communication. You work in small teams, dividing roles based on strengths. The competition evaluates how well you connect theory, analysis, and practical design.
4. NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC)
Location: Final competition held at U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Nine-month challenge; final excursion event April 9-11
Application Deadline: Typically mid september
Eligibility: High school and middle school students in grades 6-12 grades
The NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge is a long-duration engineering competition where you design and build a rover capable of navigating simulated extraterrestrial terrain. You go through multiple design review stages with NASA engineers, submitting plans and refining your system over months. Your rover must handle obstacles like rocks, slopes, and uneven terrain during the final race. You work on suspension systems, wheel design, steering, and task mechanisms such as tool deployment. The process mirrors aerospace engineering workflows, including testing and iteration. The final event evaluates both performance and design quality.
5. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Location: National finals held in Phoenix, Arizona, at Phoenix Convention Center; state and regional fairs held throughout the year
Cost: Participation costs vary by regional fair
Dates: Regional and state fairs occur throughout the academic year; national finals are May 9-15
Application Deadline: Varies by state and regional fair
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12; applications must be submitted through schools with a sponsor aged 21 or older.
The International Science and Engineering Fair represents the world’s largest pre-college science competition, featuring projects across all scientific and engineering disciplines. You would prepare a research project addressing an engineering challenge or scientific problem, completing literature reviews and conducting original research or design work. You will present your project at a regional or state fair for evaluation by professional scientists and engineers. The competition evaluates your project on scientific importance, creativity, field knowledge, methodology, interpretation of results, and clarity of presentation. Participating in ISEF teaches you rigorous research methodology and technical communication, as you interact with accomplished young scientists and engineers.
6. VEX Robotics Competition
Location: Regional, state, and national tournaments held at schools and venues throughout the United States and internationally; World Championship held in April
Cost: $200 + event fee
Dates: Season runs from September through April
Application Deadline: Contact the program directly to know more
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students; teams may include up to 15 members
VEX Robotics involves designing, building, and programming small-scale robots to compete in alliances on a 12-by-12 foot game field. You will apply skills in mechanical design using VEX system components and learn programming through VEXCode using block-based or C++ programming. You’ll also develop autonomous routines where your robot must navigate and score points without human control. The competition operates at multiple levels, allowing your team to compete at an appropriate skill level. Participation teaches you rapid iteration and adaptation as the game changes annually, requiring you to quickly redesign and reprogram your robot strategy. With over 17,000 teams, VEX offers opportunities to network and learn from diverse design approaches.
7. Science Olympiad Technology and Engineering Events
Location: Regional and state competitions held at various schools and universities
Cost: Registration and competition fees vary by state
Dates: Competition season runs from September through May; nationals run from May 22-23.
Application Deadline: School registration typically closes in September
Eligibility: High school students can apply; teams of 15 members
Science Olympiad encompasses multiple technology and engineering events that change annually, including challenges like Robot Tour, Electric Vehicle, and Engineering CAD. Each event teaches you specific technical competencies aligned with STEM education standards, allowing team members to specialize in different areas. For the Robot Tour, you will learn to program autonomous systems, developing problem-solving skills in path planning and obstacle avoidance. In the Electric Vehicle event, you design efficient battery-powered vehicles, learning about energy management and mechanical efficiency. The CAD event develops your proficiency with industry-standard design software. Participating in the Science Olympiad provides you with a structured pathway to develop broad engineering competencies across mechanical, electrical, and computational domains.
8. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Location: Finalists travel to the Science Center in Washington, D.C., for finals week
Cost: Top 40 finalists compete for over $1.8 million in awards, with the top prize of $250,000 for first place
Dates: March 5-11
Application Deadline: Applications open June 1 and close November 6
Eligibility: Any student who is living in and attending their last year of secondary school in the US and its territories may apply
Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s premier science research competition for high school seniors, attracting approximately 2,500 applicants annually. You would submit original research in a STEM field, writing detailed project reports explaining your methodology and findings. You may also present your work to expert judges at the national competition. Winning projects have addressed challenges ranging from disease diagnostics to clean energy innovation. The selection process involves a comprehensive review of your academic achievement, research contribution, and potential for future impact in STEM. You will gain recognition as some of the most accomplished young researchers, with many advancing to prestigious universities and research careers.
9. Singularity: AI Essay Contest
Location: Virtual competition
Cost: Free to enter; $11k+ in prizes/scholarships
Dates: Submissions open March 23; submissions close April 26; award ceremony on May 16
Application Deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 from any country
The Singularity AI Essay Contest invites you to explore artificial intelligence and its engineering applications through written analysis. You will research current developments in AI technology, analyze their implications for society and engineering practice, and communicate your insights in essay form. This competition develops your ability to synthesize complex technical information and articulate thoughtful perspectives on emerging technologies. The essay format teaches you essential technical writing skills for engineering communication, where clarity and logical argumentation are paramount. Through researching AI topics, you will learn about machine learning algorithms, neural network architectures, and practical applications in domains like robotics and autonomous systems.
10. Worldwide Bridge Building Competition
Location: Regional competitions throughout the United States; international round held in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology
Cost: No entry fees
Dates: March 4-27
Application Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: All high school students from around the world; teams of up to four members.
In this engineering competition, you design and construct a scale-model bridge using 3/32-inch wooden dowels, constrained by specifications for maximum weight, span length, and load-bearing capacity. The competition emphasizes efficiency, requiring your bridge to support substantial loads while minimizing its own mass. You will apply structural mechanics principles, learning how forces distribute through truss systems and how different joint designs affect load-bearing capacity. The design process requires you to calculate load distribution, iteratively prototype joint designs, and construct carefully to minimize weight while maintaining strength. Judging considers both structural efficiency and innovative design, rewarding your creativity alongside engineering competence.
11. Destination Imagination
Location: Regional and state competitions held at schools and venues throughout the United States; global finals held in Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: $190 per team
Dates: Starts around August
Application Deadline: TypicallyJuly 15
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school students; teams of 7 members
Destination Imagination presents you with creative engineering and technical challenges, alongside fine arts and service learning challenges. The technical engineering challenge typically involves designing and building structures or systems that meet specific performance criteria. For example, recent challenges have required teams to design structures that hold maximum weight while minimizing mass, or create systems that achieve specific mechanical effects. You will learn project management by planning your approach, troubleshooting systems under time pressure during the instant challenge, and presenting your work to judges. The emphasis on immediate problem-solving and presentation skills develops your communication abilities alongside technical competence, preparing you for engineering careers where explaining your design to non-technical stakeholders is crucial.
12. FIRST Lego League Challenge
Location: Regional and state tournaments throughout the United States and internationally; world festival in late April
Cost: $450 to get started
Dates: Build season from late August through November; competitions December through February; world festival late April
Application Deadline: Team registration typically opens in June and closes in September
Eligibility: Ages 9-16
While primarily aimed at younger grades, FIRST Lego League provides you with foundational robotics education that many high school students use as an entry point to competitive engineering. Your team will design, program, and build robots using LEGO Mindstorms components, then compete by programming autonomous and driver-controlled routines on themed game boards. The engineering challenge component requires your team to design solutions to real-world problems related to that year’s theme, combining robotics with research and innovation. You will develop programming skills using visual block-based languages, learn mechanical problem-solving using LEGO components, and gain experience with teamwork and project management.
13. SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Program
Location: International SeaPerch Challenge held at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Cost: Program materials and training provided; starts as low as $200 per child
Dates: Regional competitions throughout the season; international challenge, May 30
Application Deadline: October 01 – April 05
Eligibility: High school students can apply
SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program where you build a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from PVC pipes and basic components, learning fundamental robotics and engineering principles. Your ROV is a submarine-like device tethered to surface controls, allowing you to operate it wirelessly through water environments. Building and operating an ROV teaches you about electrical systems (powering motors), mechanical engineering (constructing hulls and end-effectors), and control systems (translating surface controls to underwater motion). The SeaPerch program combines in-school curriculum with competitive regional competitions where your ROV completes underwater tasks. Teams excelling at regionals earn invitations to the International SeaPerch Challenge, a prestigious event where your engineering is tested against other high-performing teams.
14. National STEM Festival
Location: U.S. Festival held in Washington, D.C. on June 23-27
Cost: Free to apply; free to participate for selected champions; travel and accommodation covered for national champions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A
Dates: Submission period with two rounds; national festival June 23-27
Application Deadline: Typically around November 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12
The National STEM Festival invites you to submit original engineering or STEM projects within themed categories such as Aerospace Innovation, Future Food, and Powering the Planet. You would document your project in a 3-page summary for Round 1 evaluation, and if selected as a finalist, create a video explaining your project and its potential impact. National Champions from each state and territory are invited to Washington, D.C., to present their projects to industry leaders, government officials, and media. Winners receive mentorship from experts in their field and networking opportunities. This competition values your innovative thinking applied to real-world challenges, recognizing students who combine technical skills with entrepreneurial initiative.
15. Conrad Challenge
Location: Global competition (virtual stages); Innovation Summit held at Space Center Houston, Texas
Cost: Free to register
Dates: Multi-phase year-long competition; Innovation Summit held in April (April 22–25)
Application Deadline: Registration (Activation Stage) typically closes in October
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–18; teams of 2–5 members from any country
The Conrad Challenge is a global STEM and entrepreneurship competition where you build a solution to a real-world problem and take it from idea to startup concept. You move through four stages called Activation, Lean Canvas, Innovation, and Power Pitch, where you define your problem, map out a business model, develop a prototype, and prepare a final presentation. You work in categories like aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, and health, shaping your idea around real industry challenges. Along the way, you produce a business brief, a working concept or prototype, a video explanation, and a structured pitch. If you reach the final stage, you present your idea live at the Innovation Summit at Space Center Houston in front of expert judges.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like engineering, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: FIRST