Not listed: the National Geographic GeoBee (a news report says it was discontinued in 2020). We could not find an official New York State Fair youth contest page to check, so it is not listed.
MATHCOUNTS Competition Series
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grades 6-8. A school team has 4 students; a school can send up to 14 to the chapter contest. Students without a school team can join as non-school competitors.
- What
- Math contest with school, chapter, state and national rounds. The top 4 students in each state go to the national contest with expenses paid.
- When
- 2026-27: school practice Aug 2026 to Jan 2027; chapter Feb 1-28, 2027; state Mar 1-31, 2027; national May 9-10, 2027. Schools register in the fall.
- Cost
- Registration fee for schools (see the official site). No extra fee to move from chapter to state.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
AMC 8 (American Mathematics Competitions)
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grade 8 or under, and under 15.5 years old on contest day.
- What
- A 40-minute style multiple-choice math contest given at schools and other registered sites by the MAA.
- When
- AMC 8: January 21-27, 2027.
- Cost
- Schools or sites pay a registration fee (see the official site).
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
AMC 10 and AMC 12
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- AMC 10: grade 10 or under and under 17.5 years old. AMC 12: grade 12 or under and under 19.5 years old.
- What
- Multiple-choice math contests. Top scorers are invited to the AIME, the next step toward the USA Math Olympiad.
- When
- AMC 10 A / 12 A: Nov 5, 2026. AMC 10 B / 12 B: Nov 13, 2026. The next cycle is in fall 2027 (check the official site).
- Cost
- Registration fee through a school or site (see the official site).
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Path to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Has a feeInternational
- Who
- High school students (strong middle school students sometimes start early with the AMC 8 and AMC 10).
- What
- How the U.S. team is chosen, per the MAA: AMC 10/12, then the AIME (by invitation), then the USA Math Olympiad (USAMO or USAJMO), then a summer program; the top USAMO students form the 6-person IMO team.
- When
- Starts with the AMC 10/12 each fall. AIME and USAMO dates are posted by the MAA.
- Cost
- AMC and AIME have registration fees; later rounds are by invitation.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Math Kangaroo USA
Has a feeInternational
- Who
- Students in grades K-12. Students sign up through a local test center.
- What
- An international math contest with puzzles for each grade band, held on the same day in many countries.
- When
- Reported for 2027: contest Thursday, March 18, 2027; registration opened Sept 15, 2026. Confirm on the official site.
- Cost
- Per-student fee that goes up after Dec 31, 2026 (amounts on the official site).
Source note: The 2027 date and fee steps come from a news/blog report that cites the official site; confirm before you plan.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
The Math League contests
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Algebra Course 1, and high school. Schools buy and give the contests.
- What
- Short written math contests taken at school; the high school level has 6 contests across the year.
- When
- 2025-26 schedule: grades 6-8 contests in February; high school contests October to March. 2026-27 dates: check the official site.
- Cost
- 2025-26 price: $45 per set of 30 for a grade-level contest; $100 for the high school package.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
New York State Mathematics League (NYSML)
Has a feeNew York / Long Island
- Who
- High school math teams from leagues around New York State.
- What
- A statewide high school team math competition.
- When
- 2026 contest: April 18, 2026 at Webster Thomas High School. 2027: check the official site.
- Cost
- Teams are invoiced (see the official site).
- New York notes
- Ask your high school math team coach how your county league sends a team.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Regeneron Science Talent Search
Cost: check siteNational (U.S.)
- Who
- High school seniors with an original research project (research from any year of high school counts).
- What
- A national science and math research competition run by Society for Science.
- When
- The 2027 application is closed. The 2028 application re-opens June 1, 2027.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Cost: check siteInternational
- Who
- High school students who win at a Society-affiliated local, regional or state science fair.
- What
- The world's large high school science fair, with students from many countries.
- When
- ISEF 2027: May 2027 in Los Angeles, California. You get there through an affiliated fair (use the Find-a-Fair tool).
- Cost
- Check with your affiliated fair.
- New York notes
- On Long Island the affiliated fair is LISEF (see below).
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF)
Cost: check siteNew York / Long Island
- Who
- Long Island students. LISEF runs three fairs: the LISEF Fair, a JV Fair and a Middle School Fair.
- What
- Long Island's ISEF-affiliated science fair (ISEF affiliation number USNY02).
- When
- Registration opened Nov 9, 2026. A school page lists 2027 rounds: video upload Jan 12, 2027, and in-person round March 8, 2027 in Woodbury, NY. Confirm on the official site.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
- New York notes
- Run by LI Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. (Plainview, NY). Ask your school's science research teacher.
Source note: The 2027 round dates come from Commack High School's science research page.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
Cost: check siteNational (U.S.)
- Who
- U.S. students in grades 6, 7 and 8.
- What
- A national middle school science contest. The top 10% of grade 6-8 projects at Society-affiliated fairs can be nominated.
- When
- 2026 application ran Feb 1 to June 10. 2027 dates: check the official site.
- Cost
- No entry fee is listed; check the official site.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Science Olympiad
Cost: check siteNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) teams of up to 15 students; there is also an elementary program.
- What
- Team science and engineering events at regional, state and national tournaments.
- When
- 2027 national tournament: May 14-15, 2027 at The Ohio State University. Long Island Division C regionals: Suffolk East and Suffolk West Jan 30, 2027; Nassau East Jan 30, 2027; Nassau West Feb 6, 2027.
- Cost
- Team fees are set by the state chapter (check the official site).
- New York notes
- New York State Science Olympiad lists the Long Island regionals.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
FIRST LEGO League
Has a feeInternational
- Who
- Grades K-8 (ages about 5-16). Teams of up to 10 (Challenge) or 6 (Explore).
- What
- LEGO robotics and research team program.
- When
- 2026-27 season is underway. FIRST says 2026-27 is the final season of FIRST LEGO League and new K-8 programs launch in 2027.
- Cost
- 2026-27 team fees: Explore $150; Challenge $285 (plus kits). FIRST lists team grants.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
FIRST Tech Challenge
Has a feeInternational
- Who
- Grades 7-12 (ages 12-18).
- What
- Teams design, build and code a robot for a yearly game.
- When
- 2026-27 season is underway; events run through the school year.
- Cost
- $350 team registration; robot kit estimated at $1,500. FIRST lists team grants.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
FIRST Robotics Competition
Has a feeInternational
- Who
- Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18).
- What
- Large-team robotics with a new game each season.
- When
- Season events run in late winter and spring.
- Cost
- $6,500 team registration (includes one regional event). FIRST lists team grants.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
VEX Robotics Competition (VEX IQ and VEX V5)
Cost: check siteInternational
- Who
- VEX IQ: grades 4-8. VEX V5: grades 6-12.
- What
- Robotics tournaments. 2026-27 games: VEX IQ "Level Up" and VEX V5 "Override". World Championship each April.
- When
- Tournaments run through the school year.
- Cost
- Check the official site for team and kit costs.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- High school students (grades 9-12) who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, with an original research project.
- What
- Students present research as a talk or poster at a regional symposium; regional winners earn scholarships and go to the National JSHS. Sponsored by the Department of War and run by NSTA.
- When
- Regional dates vary. Use the official "Find Your Region" page.
- Cost
- Free to take part.
- New York notes
- New York has three regions: Long Island, Metro, and Upstate. Students from a Long Island school use the Long Island region.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
eCYBERMISSION
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Grades 6-9 in teams of 2-4 students with one adult Team Advisor.
- What
- An online STEM contest from the U.S. Army: teams solve a problem in their community.
- When
- Mini-Grant applications due Nov 11, 2026. Registration closes Feb 24, 2027. Mission Folder due March 3, 2027.
- Cost
- Free. Mini-Grants can pay for supplies and an advisor stipend.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Conrad Challenge
Cost: check siteInternational
- Who
- Student innovators ages 13 to 18, in teams.
- What
- An innovation and entrepreneurship challenge where teams design a product for a real problem.
- When
- The 2026-27 challenge launched Aug 27, 2026. Stage deadlines: check the official site.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Congressional App Challenge
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Middle and high school students who live in or go to school in a participating congressional district (see the rules).
- What
- Students build an app; each participating Member of Congress picks a district winner.
- When
- 2026: student apps were due Oct 26, 2026; winners are announced Nov 23 to Dec 31, 2026. The 2027 challenge opens next year.
- Cost
- Free.
- New York notes
- Check whether your U.S. House district takes part each year.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Teens in grades 7-12 (portfolios: seniors only). Check eligibility on the official site.
- What
- Art and writing awards judged first by a regional affiliate, then nationally.
- When
- Deadlines are set by region and begin in December.
- Cost
- $15 per entry, $40 per portfolio. Fee waivers are available for students who cannot pay.
- New York notes
- Use the Regional Affiliates page to find the region for your school.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
National History Day
Cost: check siteNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Junior division grades 6-8; Senior division grades 9-12.
- What
- Students research a topic and make a paper, exhibit, documentary, performance or website. 2027 theme: "Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change."
- When
- School contests in winter, then regional, state and national rounds.
- Cost
- Check with your regional coordinator.
- New York notes
- A Long Island district page says local winners go to the Long Island regional finals in March at Hofstra University.
Source note: 2027 theme and Long Island details are from a Huntington UFSD page.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Poetry Out Loud (status in New York)
FreeNew York / Long IslandNew York not taking part
- Who
- High school students.
- What
- National poetry recitation contest. Teachers & Writers Collaborative says the New York State Council on the Arts decided New York will not take part in the national program; T&W is building a new statewide teen program, "New York State of Poetry."
- When
- Watch the T&W page for the new program.
- Cost
- Free.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
VFW Patriot's Pen
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grades 6-8.
- What
- A 300-400 word essay. 2026-27 theme: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America." National first place: $5,000.
- When
- Entries go to a local VFW Post by midnight Oct 31 each year (the 2026 deadline has passed; plan for fall 2027).
- Cost
- No entry fee is listed; check with your local Post.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
VFW Voice of Democracy
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grades 9-12.
- What
- An audio essay contest. 2026-27 theme: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America." National first place: $35,000 college scholarship.
- When
- Entries go to a local VFW Post by midnight Oct 31 each year (the 2026 deadline has passed).
- Cost
- No entry fee is listed; check with your local Post.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
C-SPAN StudentCam
FreeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grades 6-12.
- What
- Short documentary contest. 2027 theme: "Mr. Speaker, I Rise To..." (imagine you are a new member of Congress). Cash prizes totaling $100,000 for the top 150 films.
- When
- Entries due Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
- Cost
- Free.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Elementary and middle school students at an enrolled school (see the 2027 Eligibility Requirements).
- What
- School bees lead to regional bees and then Bee Week in May near Washington, D.C.
- When
- School enrollment open Aug 18, 2026 to Jan 29, 2027.
- Cost
- The school pays $199 to enroll (that rate is listed through Nov 30).
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
National Spanish Exam (AATSP)
Has a feeNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Students in grades 6-12; the teacher picks the level (01 to 6).
- What
- An online Spanish exam with national recognition.
- When
- Registration Oct 15, 2026 to Feb 1, 2027 (late until Feb 21). Exam window Feb 22 to April 2, 2027.
- Cost
- $6 per student in open registration. Teachers who are not AATSP members pay a $75 teacher fee.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
Cost: check siteInternational
- Who
- Students who write code (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels).
- What
- Online programming contests. The top 4 U.S. students represent the country at the International Olympiad in Informatics.
- When
- 2025-26 had three online contests in Jan-Feb 2026 and a proctored US Open on March 28, 2026. 2026-27 dates: check the official site.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Bebras Computing Challenge
FreeInternational
- Who
- Ages 6-18 in six age groups. A teacher signs up as the coordinator.
- What
- Short logic and computational-thinking puzzles, no coding needed.
- When
- 2026 challenge: November 9-20, 2026.
- Cost
- Free.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
CyberPatriot
Cost: check siteNational (U.S.)
- Who
- Middle school and high school teams led by an adult coach. Run by the Air Force Association.
- What
- Cyber defense contest: teams find and fix security problems in practice computer images.
- When
- Online rounds through the school year; top teams go to national finals.
- Cost
- Check the official site for the current season's fee.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
CyLab Security Academy (formerly picoCTF)
FreeInternationalRenamed in 2026
- Who
- Anyone learning cybersecurity; picoCTF has been popular with middle and high school students.
- What
- Carnegie Mellon University's free cybersecurity learning platform. picoCTF has become CyLab Security Academy.
- When
- Check the official site for the next competition.
- Cost
- Free.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
Cost: check siteNew York / Long Island
- Who
- Middle Level: grades 5-9. High School: grades 9-12. Students join through a school chapter.
- What
- Business club with leadership events and competitive events at region, state and national levels. Recognized by NYSED as a career and technical student organization.
- When
- Chapters run all year; competitive events usually in winter and spring.
- Cost
- Ask your chapter adviser about dues.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
DECA (New York)
Cost: check siteNew York / Long Island
- Who
- High school students in business and marketing programs (school chapters).
- What
- Business and marketing competitions and leadership events. Recognized by NYSED as a career and technical student organization.
- When
- Regional, state and international events through the year.
- Cost
- Ask your chapter adviser about dues.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
Diamond Challenge
Cost: check siteInternational
- Who
- High school students worldwide, in teams.
- What
- Entrepreneurship pitch contest with a business innovation track and a social innovation track. Grand prizes: $12,000, $8,000, $4,500 per track; over $100,000 in awards.
- When
- Check the official site for 2026-27 deadlines.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize
FreeInternational
- Who
- Students under 19 from any country. Junior category: under 15 on May 31.
- What
- Essay contest in English on questions in 10 subjects (economics, history, law, philosophy, politics, psychology, science and more).
- When
- 2026 essays were due May 31, 2026. 2027 questions and dates: check the official site.
- Cost
- Free to enter; late registration and late submission have fees.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
UNA-USA Global Classrooms Model UN
Cost: check siteInternationalCheck current status
- Who
- Middle and high school students.
- What
- Model United Nations: students role-play UN ambassadors. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation (not the UN itself). Past conferences met at UN Headquarters in New York.
- When
- Check the official site for current conferences.
- Cost
- Check the official site.
Source note: The details come from a 2013 UNA-USA article; confirm the program is running now.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026
NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival (an evaluation, not a contest)
Cost: check siteNew York / Long Island
- Who
- New York music students who sign up through their school music teacher.
- What
- Students perform a piece from the NYSSMA Manual (levels I-VI) for a trained adjudicator, who gives a grade and written comments. Each student is rated on their own; students do not compete against each other. All-State and Area All-State choices use the score from the previous spring's festival.
- When
- Spring festivals at sites around the state.
- Cost
- Ask your school music teacher.
Source note: How the festival works is from a school district music page.
Official site ↗ (opens in a new tab) · Checked Nov 7, 2026