UK Chemistry Olympiad

Designed to challenge and inspire, the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) is a unique opportunity for students to push themselves further and excel in the chemistry field. Budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations. They could even find themselves representing the UK at the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad.

The UK Chemistry Olympiad is open to all secondary schools and colleges in the British Isles. However, the questions are aimed at students in their last year of study before higher education so we recommend that entrants should be at least 16.Deadline: 14 January 2026 more information here

DVLA Code Challenge

The DVLA STEM Programme is evolving to better support schools throughout the academic year. This means that the annual Code Challenge will take a break in 2025. Going forward, the event will be held in July instead of December. This change follows feedback from across the education sector to better align with the school year.

The next DVLA Code Challenge will take place on 7 July 2026

The 2026 challenge is open to children and young adults from the age of 7 to 16. Your School, College or Group can enter any or all of the two categories

• DVLA Code Challenge for students aged 7 to 11
• DVLA Code Challenge for students aged 11 to 16

The Code Challenge enables students of all ages to develop their problem solving, teamworking skills and improve their knowledge of computer programming in a fun and innovative way and also to win IT Equipment for their schools or Groups.

To register for the event in any of the categories, Click here and  just:

1. Read the Competition Terms and Conditions
2. Send us the completed Registration Form

Cardiff Scientific Society - Science Competition

We’re celebrating the Cardiff Scientific Society’s centenary by inviting students across Wales to create a science poster on the theme “Science for the Future.” Entries welcome in Welsh or English.

Closing date 18 March 2026

• Theme: Science for the Future
• Format: Poster (A1 design) + ≤ 250-word caption (English or Welsh)
• Disciplines: Any STEM areas
• Presentation: Shortlisted entrants should be ready to give a 3–5 minute presentation on the research behind their poster and how they developed it.
• Who: Students in Years 10–13 at schools across Wales (state and independent).
• Language: Welsh or English — bilingual participation welcomed.
• Entry type: Individual entries (one teacher point-of-contact per school).
• Winner: £100 + £50 to the winner’s school
• Runners-up (×2): £50 each + £50 to each school
• Shortlisted students: Certificates; posters exhibited at a CSS lecture in the Autumn term 2026, Cardiff (TBC)
• Presentation opportunity: Top three (winner and two runners-up) will be invited to present their posters at a CSS lecture during the centenary season. More information here

The Big Bang Competition

Inspire students to bring their ideas to life with The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition. Got a class who love solving problems? Enter a STEM project with your students. The Competition rewards and recognises young people’s bright ideas. From climate change to robots to life-saving healthcare, The Big Bang Competition celebrates projects of all shapes and sizes.

Free to enter for students aged 11 to 18 in state-funded secondary schools, The Big Bang Competition supports young people to ask questions, challenge facts and invent solutions. Entries are open! Enter by 4 March 2026.

More information here

The Earth Prize

The Earth Prize is an annual, global $100,000 environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19, which rewards the teams whose projects have the most potential to address environmental issues. Through The Earth Prize competition, students are inspired, educated, mentored and empowered to solve environmental sustainability problems.

Registration is open from 1st of September 2025 to the 10th of January 2026Complete the online registration form to join The Earth Prize Discord Community, where you'll gain access to exclusive content and mentoring. More information here

Quantum on the Clock

To celebrate the International Year of Quantum 2025, we're inviting teachers across the UK and Ireland to encourage eligible students to take part in Quantum on the Clock—an exciting online video competition that challenges students to explain a quantum concept in just three minutes. This is a great opportunity for students in the final two years of pre-university education to: Deepen their understanding of A Level quantum physics (or equivalent) Stimulating curiosity and creativity Create a project that stands out for future education or career applications Learn more about the rapidly growing field of quantum science Students will also gain valuable experience by reviewing other applications, and winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges, including leading quantum researchers and science communicators. Competition open: 1 August – 12 January 2026 Find out more and take part here: Quantum on the Clock – Institute of Physics

MathWorks Math Modeling challenge

The M3 Challenge is an internet-based applied maths competition that inspires participants to pursue STEM education and careers. Working in teams of three to five students, participants have 14 consecutive hours to solve an open-ended maths-modelling problem based around a real issue during the challenge weekend.

The problem typically has a socially conscious theme – equity, the environment, conservation or recycling, energy use, health, and other topics that young people care about. The challenge gives students the opportunity to use maths modelling processes to represent, analyse, make predictions and otherwise provide insight into real-world phenomena. 

The competition’s final presentation and awards ceremony event is held in New York City in late April – an all-expense paid experience for the finalist teams. These top teams will be awarded scholarships toward the pursuit of higher education, with members of the overall winning team receiving $20,000 (»£16,000)   For students age: 16–19 (England and Wales only)

Deadline for registration: 20 February 2026.  For  resources and to register, visit the competition website.

FoNS Science and Innovation Competition - Imperial College London

The Science & Innovation Competition, which is run by the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College, is open to teams of young people of primary and secondary school age based in the UK. We welcome entries not only from schools, but also from community and youth groups.

The purpose of the competition is to motivate young people to engage with science, to encourage them to work together as part of a team and to engage them in a fun activity that is motivated by their curiosity and drive.

Previously named the ‘Schools Science & Innovation competition’ we are delighted to announce that this year we will be opening the competition up to groups beyond secondary school students, such as youth centres, youth groups (Girlguiding, Scout movement) and community groups. We are also proud to announce the formation of two new categories, the first for young people aged 4 – 11, the second for teams of all ages, including adults. The competition opens in late-September and teams must be pre-registered by Friday 13th December and must then submit their formal entry to the competition by Friday 24th January.  Entries are shortlisted and successful teams notified at the beginning of February. The final event takes place in April at Imperial College’s main campus in South Kensington, date to be confirmed. More information  here

The UK CanSat Competition

The CanSat competition provides students with the opportunity to have practical experience working on a small-scale space project. They are tasked with designing and building their own simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. The challenge for students is to fit all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors and a communication system, into this minimal volume. After building their CanSat teams will be invited to launch events across the UK to launch their CanSats on small rockets, with their CanSats returning to Earth using a parachute designed by the students.

Teams are set a primary mission of measuring air pressure and air temperature during the CanSat's descent, with data being transmitted to the students' ground station. They are also tasked with designing a secondary mission of their choosing. It can be based on other satellite missions, a perceived need for scientific data for a specific project, a technology demonstration for a student-designed component, or any other mission that would fit the CanSat’s capabilities. 

The competition runs from Sept/October - April each year. Read the competition guidelines here. Interested in entering the CanSat 2025 – 2026 competition? Register here

>Train Like an Astronaut: Walk to the moon Challenge

Each school year, from September to August, teams of students up to 14 years old can participate in the Walk to the Moon Challenge. Teams from across the world complete Mission X activities and submit them online to earn steps. Steps submitted by all participating teams help the Mission X mascots, Luna and Leo, walk 384,400 km – the distance from Earth to the Moon.

Participants will receive a certificate and an invitation to a virtual event hosted by ESA Education. Additionally, teacher trainings, national events and summer camps are held in multiple countries. You can read more about Mission X in your country by checking out your country page in the menu bar at the top of this page.

AstroPi - Mission Space Lab

Mission Space Lab offers teams of young people the chance to run scientific experiments on board the International Space Station. Registration is open from 16 September 2024 to 24 February 2025.

In Mission Space Lab teams are invited to write computer programs that solve a scientific task in space: to gather data to calculate the speed at which the International Space Station (ISS) is travelling as accurately as possible.

To achieve this, teams write a Python program to first use the Astro Pi computers’ sensors or camera and gather data about the orientation and motion of the ISS as it orbits the Earth, and then calculate the speed of the ISS based on the gathered data.

Taking part in Astro Pi Mission Space Lab enables young people to learn about the ISS, about gathering and using data to answer a scientific question, and about creating and troubleshooting a computer program. They also have the exciting opportunity to learn about the science of motion and the orbit of the ISS. Eligible programs will be deployed on the ISS, and teams will receive certificates and data collected in space. More information here

Join Climate Detectives

Did you know you can make a difference in understanding and protecting planet Earth? Join Climate Detectives, a project run by ESA and ESERO! Your investigation can focus on climate change but also on everything about our planet Earth and its care: the environment, sustainable ways of living, biodiversity, air quality, forests, oceans and much more. Be curious and become a Climate Detective! Together, student detectives are working to protect our planet!

Teams can choose between two levels of engagement. 

By participating in the new beginner’s category, Climate Detectives Kids, teams can complete fun hands-on activities, and earn badges to become a certified detective of climate and the Earth!

For a bigger challenge, teams can complete a full investigation of their choice: identify the problem they want to analyse, collect data, and share their results with the Climate Detectives community. Selected teams will be invited for an exciting learning and celebration event at the end of this school year! Find out more here

Green Power Competition

Greenpower Education Trust is a UK based charity which gets young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car.

We supply age appropriate Kit Cars, which can be built in school, college or elsewhere and raced at motorsport venues at Greenpower organised events. Alternatively, older participants can design and build their own car to our regulations. The Greenpower challenge uses the excitement of motorsport to inspire young people to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).The F24 season runs from Aprto October. The season stars with a test day and Seas Opener. Further test days follow then the heats start, takiing place all over the country until the end of September where we will hold the International Finalat Goodwood in October for teams that have qualified More information here

Teen Tech Awards

Are you an innovator? Do you have an idea which could make life easier, simpler or better? Do you have a skill that you would like to showcase? Or do you have an interest in an area that you would like to research?

The TeenTech Awards are for students aged 11 to 16 (Years 7 to 11) and 17 to 19 (Years 12 to 13) and you can work individually, or in a team of up to three. They present a wonderful and powerful opportunity to develop your potential and showcase qualities which are appreciated by both employers and further education.

The best projects go forward to the TeenTech Awards Final for judging.

Register here and find out more

UK. SDC Comnpetition

The UK Space Design Competition is a science, engineering and business challenge designed as a simulation of life in industry. Teams are given a list of requirements for a space settlement and are tasked with coming up with a detailed design which they present to a panel of judges from industry, academia and business.

Open to UK secondary and sixth form students (years 10 – 13), teams can enter the UKSDC via our regional or digital heats (introduced in 2020 to replace our usual regional heats in a COVID-secure way). Winning teams from these entry points take part in our national final; a residential competition weekend hosted by Imperial College London! A select group of winners are then invited to go from there to the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) at a NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre.

We aim to deliver engaging events that showcase the value that students could gain from further study or careers in STEM disciplines. We hope you choose to join us on this journey! The regsitration for 2025-2026 is now open  More details here

The Young Coders Competition

The Young Coders Competition is an opportunity for young people to learn to code using Scratch, build key web skills and think creatively. Entrants create a project, either individually or in teams of up to 6.  Age. 8-13

Register interest now via the website for access to free resources to help guide learners, plus more information about the competition.

Moon Camp

Participate in Moon Camp and design a space habitat! Take on a new space adventurer role with your team and design a habitat on the lunar surface or go beyond the Moon and explore other worlds in our Solar System. Select the topic and format that best fits your team and get creative! Your project can range from:

a scientific experiment, a hands-on project, a design of space infrastructures, a game-based design

a 3D design of an astronaut base, a 3D printed model, a virtual or augmented reality world… and much more!!

Moon Camp is a partnership between ESA and the national ESEROs and the Airbus Foundation. All teams that submit a project will receive a participation certificate and will be invited to the final online livestream event with an astronaut. More information here

The challenge runs from 11 September 2025 to 27 July 2026 and is suitable for primary and secondary pupils. More information here

Explore climate issues with ESA Climate Detectives and Climate Detectives Kids

ESERO-UK invites teachers and teams of students to team up and join the ESA Climate Detectives and Climate Detectives Kids school projects. Registration is open from September each year.

ESA Climate Detectives is a competition that is open for students from the ages of 8 to 19. Teams of students, supported by their teacher, are called to make a difference by identifying a climate problem, investigating it by using available Earth Observation data or taking measurements on the ground, and then proposing a way to help reduce the problem.

The ESA Climate Detectives Kids is a challenge where teams of pupils up to 12 years old complete activities to earn badges. This category is ideal for beginners and is non-competitive Register to take part here

British Model Flying Association 2025 University and Schools Payload Challenges

The BMFA Payload Challenges require students to design, build and fly load-carrying model aircraft. The competitions have evolved to stretch the abilities of participating students and there is no doubt the development of a good aircraft requires each team to display design flair, technical knowledge and teamwork.

Judging is by a panel of professional engineers and the competition has attracted very favourable comment from external examiners, the challenge is sponsored by the Royal Aeronautical Society and also enjoys the support of BAE SYSTEMS, Rolls Royce, RAF Engineering and the Royal Air Force Model Aircraft Association.

The contest is open to all students in full time education including home education and accredited apprenticeships, based in the UK and Europe.

An entry fee is payable on submission of a completed entry form, for 2025 we have significantly reduced the entry fee for each competition class.

The flying and presentation element of the competition will take place on the 18th and 19th of June 2025 at the British Model Flying Association National Centre near Grantham in Lincolnshire, teams may arrive on the 17th of June for set up and practice by prior arrangement. Go here for further details

For detailed information or assistance contact the Challenge Co-ordinator, Manny Williamson on manny@bmfa.org

The Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition

Age: 16–18 Registration opens: now

The Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition, run by Cambridge Assessment, is an exciting extra-curricular activity for teams of aspiring scientists who are studying with the Cambridge IGCSE or O Level science programmes.

Teams of three to six students choose a topic and work on a scientific investigation over 20–25 hours. The competition encourages investigations with some practical or community relevance and an eye on sustainability.

Projects may involve laboratory work and should include creative and collaborative working, critical thinking and reflection. Students should be given the opportunity to present their results to a wider audience, perhaps at a science fair or other school event.

Teachers provide initial project evaluations and the best are put forward for consideration by a panel of experts. The winning team receives a certificate and is featured on the competition website. The competition runs twice a year, so keep abreast of all the dates on the website

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge

Deadline: 29 May 2026

This competition — aimed at Year 12 students but available to younger students — is designed to stretch and challenge students beyond the curriculum interested in chemistry and is excellent experience for anyone considering chemistry for further study.

Students sit a 90-minute written paper under exam conditions in school, which is sent out to schools in advance. Mark schemes are available to teachers, and for schools submitting more than five scripts, these should be marked by the teacher. Scripts of students scoring over 50% are then submitted. Students who perform well receive a certificate and the best performers are invited to join a residential camp at the University of Cambridge at the end of August.

The website contains lots of past papers and mark schemes, which are a valuable resource for teachers. Full details are on the website.

Design a vehicle for your future

Together we have been working hard to prepare the industry for the future, but we have run out of ideas! So, we need your help to create a brand-new vehicle that will be ready for 2030.

Can you imagine what type of vehicles will be popular in 2030?  What will they look like?  How will they run?  Will they have some fun things in them that haven’t been invented yet?

Follow the steps below and help us design a vehicle of the future.

Download your pack imi-design-the-future-competition-primary-school-age

STEP 1 – Plan and design the look of your vehicle

STEP 2 – Name your vehicle

STEP 3 – Create a logo for your vehicle

STEP 4 – List 3 new features “of the future” for your vehicle

STEP 5 – Put all of these ideas together to design a fun poster advertising your vehicle of the future

THE PRIZE: An amazing automotive related prize will be awarded to the winner!

CLOSING DATE – Ongoing

Please send your entries by email to careers@theimi.org.uk or post to The Careers Team, Institute of the Motor Industry, Fanshaws, Brickendon, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 8PQ

VEX Robotics Competition A Competition Brings STEM Skills to Life

All students are natural scientists and engineers. They love to question, tinker, experiment, and play. VEX competitions foster these skills and capitalise on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner. VEX competitions are also a great way to expose students to valuable soft skills like communication, collaboration and time-management in a fun and authentic way. The VEX Robotics competition prepares students to become future innovators, with 95% of participants reporting an increased interest in STEM subject areas and pursuing STEM-related careers. Tournaments are held year-round at local, regional, and national levels and culminate at the VEX Robotics World Championship each April! More information here

UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO)

Take part in the leading chemistry competition for secondary students across the British Isles

Designed to challenge and inspire, the UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) is a unique opportunity for students to push themselves further and excel in the chemistry field.

Budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations. They could even find themselves representing the UK at the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad. Register until 5th January and to find out more go here.

The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge

The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) is a great way to engage the next generation of engineers with practical experience of building and executing complex missions.

This is an exciting way to learn more about maths and science, with the UK winners getting the chance to compete against teams from France, USA and Japan at the International Finals.

The challenge is aimed at students aged 11 – 18 from any secondary schools, colleges, educational facilities or youth groups to design, build and launch a model rocket with a fragile payload.

The rocket must reach a set altitude with specific total flight duration and must adhere to the specific set rules. The competition’s rules and scoring parameters change each year to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design.

More information here

British Education  International Awards Competition

 Are you ready to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time? The BIEA 2025 STEM Competition invites young innovators worldwide to take on the theme "Feast Forward: Cultivating Change for the Planet". This year, we're exploring how technology can revolutionise food production to sustainably feed a growing global population while protecting our planet's precious resources.

From climate-smart agriculture to breakthroughs in food tech, this is your chance to showcase your ideas, develop groundbreaking solutions, and inspire real-world change. Compete against peers from across the globe, collaborate with industry leaders, and make your mark on the future of sustainability.

Whether you're passionate about environmental conservation, cutting-edge technology, or creating a better future for all, this competition is your platform to shine.The 2025 competition is primarily aimed at students aged 6 to 17/18 (secondary schools).  The competition will be accepting online submissions. Students can enter as part of a team (of up to five) or as an individual competitor (however, individual entries may lose marks in the team aspect). Schools may have more than one entry. Students who cannot attend school may submit entries as individual competitors, although all competitors under 18 or in high school must be registered by a responsible adult (e.g. teacher or parent). The competition is currently open and will close on 30 March 2025. More information here