Competitions are great for kids. There is a wide range of science competitions for kids that they can take part in. It provides a platform for them to use their scientific knowledge and bring the best invention from their brains. It also allows them to work together in groups and learn from each other. They share their ideas and collectively galvanize those ideas to bring something innovative into implementation.
Science Competition for Kids
Here’s a list of some of the best science competitions, your kid can participate in.
1. Raman Young Science Innovator
Sir C.V. Raman Young Science Innovator Award (RYSI) is a National Science Award for school children. The Raman awards aim to establish Science as a fun and interesting activity that can be explored anywhere with simple materials.
The RYSI Award is a 3-stage process open to all children resident in India who study in Grade III-X. The idea of the award is to encourage children to create hands-on, experiential science activities that demonstrate a principle in any topic of your choice, occurring in the I to X standard national science curriculum. Working models, toys, or experiments that help demonstrate the scientific principle is expected.
You may enter Stage 2 of the RYSI Award by either getting nominated by your school OR participating in Stage 1 of the Award. Go to the process page to find out more. Understand the science behind the activity/topic and review existing experiential, hands-on activities at Arvind Gupta Toys, ThinkTac, and other resources. Get creative, innovate an existing activity, or create an entirely new one.
Who can Win?
- The originality of the idea
- Effectiveness with which it conveys the chosen topic
- Ease of availability of the material used
- “Fun” – how much will a child enjoy the activity?
The schedule for 2023 is yet to be launched. Keep an eye on the RYSI schedule page.
2. ClimateScience Olympiad 2023
The student competition to find solutions to climate change. Are you ready to step into the shoes of world leaders?
Last year ClimateScience Olympiad saw more than 55,000 students participate from over 190 countries.
Registration Deadline: 10th June 2023
Age: 12 – 25 years
For details click here.
3. CSIR Innovation Award for School Children 2023
CSIR Innovation Award for School Children 2023 or CIASC Award 2023 notification has been released by the Council Of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry Of Science & Technology, Govt. Of India on its website.
Students who are interested can check the details and send CSIR Innovation Award Application or proposal by hard copy through Registered Post/Courier or mail for the CIASC award.
The CSIR competition for school kids allows young minds to express themselves creatively. The council, via the CIASC, acknowledges and awards excellent students for their efforts. The following is the goal of the CSIR innovation award for school children:
- For school children, the prize raises awareness and motivation for intellectual property.
- The award’s goal is to inspire students to engage in creative work and foster an innovative mindset.
- To make people aware of societal concerns.
Competition Deadline: 31 May 2023
For details click here.
4. National Space Society (NSS) – 2023 Space Settlement Contest
Every SSDC event describes requirements for designing a future space settlement or habitat to a very specific set of requirements defined by a Request for Proposal (RFP). The scenarios are offered in a five-year chronology that illustrates a possible Roadmap for how people will develop commercial interests and settlements in space.
In each year of the chronology, at least four or five different scenarios are offered. Students who participate in SSDCs for their entire high school careers will not see the same scenario twice. When the “same” scenario is offered every five years, key requirements are changed to cause designs for prior-year RFPs to be non-compliant.
For details click here.
5. National Science Olympiad 2023
Every year, the Science Olympiad Foundation conducts the National Science Olympiad (NSO). The aim of the Science Olympiad is to enhance the interest of students in the subject of science. Interested and eligible candidates who want to apply need to fill out and submit the registration form before the last date.
The registration form will be made available through the school. NSO is a two-level test. However, the test will be conducted only in 1 level for classes 1st and 2nd.
Interested and eligible candidates who want to apply need to apply through their schools only. The SOF doesn’t accept individual applications from students.
SOF NSO 1st Level Examination Dates:
- 3rd week of December 2023
- 2nd week of January 2024
- Last week of January 2024
SOF NSO 2nd Level Examination Date: 1st week of February 2024
Result of 2nd Level Examination Date: 2nd week of June 2024
Grades: 11 and 12
Note: All dates are tentative. For details click here.
6. International Physics Olympiad
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is the World Championship Physics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country. The first IPhO was held in 1967 in Poland. It has gradually expanded to over 80 countries from 5 continents. The IPhO International Board ensures that the competition takes place each year and that each host country observes the regulations and traditions of the IPhO.
The Physics Olympiad program follows the following 5 stages:
- Stage I: National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP)
- Stage II: Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO)
- Stage III: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in physics
- Stage IV: Pre-departure Training Camp (PDT) for IPhO
- Stage V: Participation in International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
The schedule for 2023 is yet to be launched. Keep an eye on the IPO schedule page.
7. National Science Talent Search Examination
NSTSE Exam 2023- Unified Council conducts the National Level Science Talent Search Examination or NSTSE for the students of classes 2 to 12. NSTSE exam 2023 applications will be accepted online mode on the official website.
Students can also apply through their respective schools. After registration, they will have to pay the requisite fee in online mode (Individual Registration). For registrations done through schools, students have to pay the NSTSE exam fee to the school.
Grade: 2nd to 10th
For details click here.
8. Imagine Cup
The Imagine Cup is full of opportunities to gain new skills, access exclusive training, unlock mentorship opportunities, and have a chance to win great prizes and make a difference in the world.
The 2023 Imagine Cup opens with the Epic Challenge. In the Epic Challenge, you can outline your project proposal and pitch to get early feedback without a working proof of concept. Participation is optional but highly encouraged to support your project development for the India National Finals.
Following the Epic Challenge are the India National Finals. To advance in the competition, submit your project to the National Finals for a chance to compete in the World Finals and World Championship.
The categories remain the same for all stages of the competition. If you submitted to the Epic Challenge, please continue to develop your project, and select the same category.
- Earth: solutions for climate change, agriculture, and in green tech
- Education: innovate to change the way students across the globe learn
- Health: tackle issues in treatment, diagnosis, accessibility, and more
- Lifestyle: projects that shape how we game, play, and live
Age Group: 16+ years(Maximum four members per team)
For details click here.
9. Google Science Fair
If you are a student of science or maths and you want to take into account various inventions that will help you to change the world then you can apply for the Google Science Fair 2023 competition which will be presented by the authorities in the years 2022-2023.
Google Science Fair is an online competition where you can take part if you want to be in a competition with students from across the globe.
This is a very prestigious competition that will help you to take into account inventions that will be helpful for the world and you can start your application for this competition from the official website of the organization. This competition is solely available by Google incorporation.
Age Group: Category 1: 13 years to 15 years, Category 2: 16 years to 18 years
Topics: Computer Science & Math, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Flora & Fauna, Energy & Space, Inventions & Innovation, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Electricity & Electronics, Robotics, and Astrophysics.
For details click here.
10. IRIS National Fair
The IRIS National Fair promotes and nurtures science and scientific research among young Indian innovators. It recognizes and rewards outstanding projects. It provides a platform for winning students to represent India at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, held annually in the U.S.
Having begun as the Intel Science Talent and Discovery Fair in 1999, IRIS has been nurturing the spirit of innovation among school students in India since 2006. The aim is to infuse the spirit of discovery in school children, increase their interest in science and technology, and build a robust scientific temper among the youth of the country.
Each year, research-based science projects by young students, across 21 subject categories—are reviewed by an eminent jury comprising scientists and domain experts. Then, the short-listed entries are showcased at the annual IRIS National Fair.
Grades: 5th to 12th
Topics: Animal Sciences, Behaviourial & Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical & Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computational Biology & Bio Informatics, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Embedded Systems, Energy: Sustainable Material & Design, Engineering Mechanics, Environmental Engineering, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics & Astronomy, Plant Sciences, Robotics & Intelligent Machines, Systems Software, Translational Medical Sciences.
For details click here.
FAQs
What is the most prestigious science competition?
There are many science competitions for kids held each year. Some of the most prestigious ones are Raman Young Science Innovator, ClimateScience Olympiad 2023, CSIR Innovation Award for School Children 2023, National Space Society (NSS) – 2023 Space Settlement Contest, National Science Olympiad 2023, and International Physics Olympiad.
What is the importance of science competitions for students?
Science competitions provide a platform for them to use their scientific knowledge and bring the best invention from their brains. It also allows them to work together in groups and learn from each other. They share their ideas and collectively galvanize those ideas to bring something innovative into implementation.
Which is the highest award in science in India?
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is the most prestigious and highest science award in India. It’s awarded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). CSIR also conducts science competitions for kids. One such competition is CSIR Innovation Award for School Children.
Conclusion
These were some of the popular science events for the year 2023. If your kid has an interest in science and research, then these platforms will certainly help. Practice is necessary for someone to become proficient in their area. Your child needs to take part in these science competitions for this reason. It helps them get exposure and smooth out any rough spots early on in their learning. Check the websites for the above-mentioned science contests and encourage your kids to enter.
