Stockholm Junior Water Prize (US/CA)
Students conduct an original water-related research project, competing through state and national judging; the US winner receives a cash prize and represents the US at the international finals in Sweden.
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American Philosophy Olympiad
High schoolers write a proctored philosophical essay (in French or Spanish); top two scorers represent the USA at the International Philosophy Olympiad.
Astronomical League National Young Astronomer Award (NYAA)
A national award from the Astronomical League that recognizes outstanding original astronomical research by US high-school-age students, judged by a panel of professional astronomers; the first-place winner receives a telescope and an expense-paid trip to the League's national convention, ALCon.
BruinMUN (UCLA)
One of the largest West Coast HS Model UN conferences, hosted by UCLA, with 27 committees including novice-friendly options.
California Charter Schools Student Pitch Competition
Charter high schoolers develop business/social venture concepts and submit a pitch deck plus video; finalists pitch live at the CCSA conference for cash prizes.
Colonial Williamsburg Public Archaeology Institute
A free, highly selective one-week summer program (two sessions, 10 students each) for students entering grades 9-12, working alongside Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists excavating Custis Square, learning artifact identification, site recording, and interpretation, and concluding with a guided public site tour.
High School Fed Challenge
Teams research an assigned economic theme (2025-26: "economics of music") and write podcast scripts, with top entries published in the Fed's Journal of Future Economists.