Science Fairs, Olympiads, Etc.
If you're seriously interested in MIT, you probably think of math and science as serious fun. We offer this abbreviated list of some remarkable competitions, fairs, summer programs, organizations and websites that will challenge your imagination and powers of analysis, connect you with other young people who dare to take pleasure in science and math, and help you prepare for the rigor and excitement of MIT.
International Science Olympiads and qualifying competitions
Every year, secondary school students from around the world compete in international Olympiad competitions in math and science. Ultimately, each country fields a team of its top four-to-six students in each field. Here's a list of the Olympiads that the United States competes in, along with certain qualifying competitions:
- International Math Olympiad (IMO)
- International Olympiad in Informatics
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
- International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
- International Biology Olympiad (IBO)
Qualifying competitions:
Qualifying competition:
Qualifying competition:
Qualifying competition:
Qualifying competition:
National and International Science Fairs
Three very significant science fair competitions are held in the US each year, showcasing thousands of the best high school science and engineering research projects from across the country. While two of the competitions (Intel STS and Siemens-Westinghouse) are primarily for seniors, all recognize work done throughout your high school career. Here's how to find out more:
- Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)
- Siemens Westinghouse Competition
- Intel Science Talent Search (STS) (This competition is open to seniors only.)
Competitive Admission Summer Programs
Most summer programs admit all or most students who can pay the tuition. However, a number of competitive-admission summer programs select only the best students, but are often then free or offered at a significant discount. Here's a selection:
- Research Science Institute (RSI)
- NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP)
- Summer Science Program (SSP)
- Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
- Women's Technology Program (WTP)
- Minority Introduction to Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Science (MITES)
- The Ross Program
- Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
- Texas State University Honors Math Camp
- Canada/USA Mathcamp
Distance Learning
Among a range of excellent distance learning programs, many MIT students report having had a good experience in high school with this one:
Invention
A national grants initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program, Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams gives high school students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the exhilarating, exasperating world of invention.
