India and China
GENERAL STEM
National Science Concours – This is an online competition and summer camp for students of grade 6-12. The first step is taking an online test after which you can create a research project. You can present your work at the summer camp which also includes a number of fun learning activities.
World Robot Olympiad India – The competition involves building a robot that looks and behaves like a human athlete. It is open for ages 6-19.
SCIENCE
Homi Bhabha Exams – These are science exams conducted by The Greater Bombay Science Teachers’ Association. They are open to students in grade 6 and grade 9. Depending on the student’s performance, they get a gold, silver or bronze medal and a cash prize.
National Science Olympiad – The NSO is open to students from grades 1 to 12. Top scorers are given medals, cash prizes and certificates.
FIRST LEGO League India – This is a competition which involves designing and building a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS to solve scientific missions. It is open to ages 9-16.
IRIS National Science Fair – This is a fair that recognizes students’ research projects in any STEM field and gives them a platform to showcase their work. Winning students can represent India at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
ICTS Summer Courses – The International Centre for Theoretical Sciences offers a few summer courses each year (they may be advanced for high school students). You can either go to the ICTS in person or watch recordings on YouTube.
PHYSICS/ASTRONOMY
CAP High School Prize Exam – This is an contest that tests logical and creative thinking hosted by the Canadian Association of Physicists along with ASDAN China. Top performers can enter the Canada Physics Olympiad.
JNP Workshops – The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bangalore, India, regularly hosts one-day science workshops for high school students and teachers on topics from computing to telescope assembly.
RAD@Home – Create and analyse RGB images of galaxies with NASA Skyview and post on the RAD@Home Facebook group to earn a chance to attend a workshop where you will become a certified e-astronomer and gain access to recent data.
TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Unified Cyber Olympiad – This is an Olympiad that aims to strengthen children’s reasoning ability and computer knowledge. It is open to students of grades 2 to 10. Top scorers are given medals and cash prizes.
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards – This is a national competition for students up to grade 12. Students need to think of an original technological innovation that solves problems.
ENGINEERING
Astrover Challenge – This is a design competition where students design a human-powered non-motorized vehicle which can traverse a simulated surface of another planet. The challenge takes place in Mumbai over two days.