2026 National STEM Festival (U.S. Edition)

Submissions are now open for the 2026 National STEM Festival (U.S. Edition). Students in grades 7–12 from across the U.S. and its territories are encouraged to submit STEM projects, innovations or inventions addressing real-world problems.

Deadline: Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT
Submit here: https://www.nationalstemfestival.com/submit

WHY ENTER?
National STEM Champions: The highest-scoring project in each state and territory earns an expense-paid trip (student + chaperone) to Washington, D.C., June 22–27, 2026.

SPECIAL AWARDS
The Festival will again recognize outstanding projects with the AISES Indigenous Ingenuity Award, Broadcom Foundation Tech for Good, and Carolina® Science Young Innovators Award.

New this year: each Special Award includes a mini-scholarship to support students’ continued work.

At the Festival, Champions will present to corporate executives, government officials, and media; participate in mentor sessions; dive into hands-on STEM; and connect at a public expo.

Ready to submit?
Enter by Nov 16: https://www.nationalstemfestival.com/submit

Meg Kilroy

Head of Festival Production

explr.com

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