Application Guide
Future Rising · The future is already in motion.
Everything you need to prepare a strong 2027 National STEM Festival application — from choosing your Festival Theme to creating your Project PDF and Project Video.
Applications open January 11, 2027. Use this guide now to prepare — so you are ready the moment applications open.
► New here? See how previous winners explained their work → Powered by EXPLRBefore You Start
The application must be completed in one session. You cannot save it and return later.
Allow approximately 20–30 minutes once your project materials are ready.
Have these ready before opening the application
- Your written project responses
- Your Project PDF — maximum 3 pages, maximum 5MB
- Your downloadable Project Video link — maximum 2 minutes
- Your school or education-setting information
- Parent or legal guardian information if you are under 18
Before applying, make sure
- You are currently in Grade 7–12
- You ordinarily live in one of the 56 U.S. Competition Regions
- You are submitting an individual project
- You are submitting only one entry
- You meet all application requirements
One student. One project. One application.
Teams are not permitted. Home-educated students are eligible. Your Competition Region is based on your usual home address, not your school's location. Eligible settings include public, charter, private and magnet schools, career and technical education programs, home education and other recognized Grade 7–12 educational settings.
Where Does Your Project Fit?
Every project selects one Festival Theme. Choose the Theme that best matches the main purpose of your work. Your project may connect to several areas — that's okay. Pick the closest fit.
Manufacturing, Making & Building
Design it. Make it. Build what's next.
Explore how things are designed, made and built — from advanced manufacturing and engineering to construction, transportation and the skilled trades that shape the physical world.
Projects might explore:
- advanced manufacturing
- engineering and robotics
- new materials
- construction and infrastructure
- transportation and aerospace
- skilled-trades innovation
- digital fabrication
- how things are built and moved
Technology & Intelligent Systems
Use technology to solve problems and create new possibilities.
Use or investigate digital technology to solve problems, improve systems or explore how technology should work in the future.
You do not need to be a coder: many strong projects use technology without heavy programming.
Projects might explore:
- artificial intelligence
- computer science
- cybersecurity
- robotics and autonomous systems
- data science
- semiconductors
- AR/VR and quantum
- emerging technology
Health & Human Potential
Help people live healthier, safer, and better lives.
Explore how science, engineering and technology help people live healthier, safer or more capable lives.
Projects might explore:
- medicine and biology
- biotechnology
- biomedical engineering
- genetics and neuroscience
- diagnostics
- assistive technology
- human performance
- tools that improve care or accessibility
Planet, Energy & Food
Create a healthier, more sustainable world.
Investigate how we produce energy and food, use resources and protect the systems that people and the planet depend on.
Projects might explore:
- energy
- environmental science and chemistry
- climate
- agriculture and food science
- water
- conservation
- Earth science
- sustainability
Still not sure which Theme?
Ask yourself: what is the main purpose of your project?
Don't overthink the Theme. Judges evaluate the quality of your project — not whether it fits every word in a category. EXPLR may reclassify a project if another Festival Theme more accurately reflects the submitted work.
Tell Us About Your Project
Your written application helps judges quickly understand what you did, why you did it and what you learned or created.
Clear beats complicated.
You do not need to sound like a scientist writing for a journal. Judges should be able to understand: What did you do? Why did you do it? What happened? Why does it matter? Use plain language and specific evidence — but don't oversimplify important science.
Project Title · max 100 characters
Keep it clear and specific. A strong title helps someone understand the project quickly. EXPLR may later make reasonable editorial adjustments to public-facing project titles or descriptions for clarity, length or general audiences while preserving the meaning of the project.
Project Summary · max 300 words
Give us a clear overview of your project. What did you investigate, design, build, test or discover?
Research Question, Challenge or Hypothesis · max 100 words
What question, problem, challenge or hypothesis drove your project? Not every STEM project needs a traditional scientific hypothesis.
Projects involving engineering, invention, design, computing, building or prototyping may instead describe the challenge or question they were trying to solve.
Objective or Purpose · max 100 words
What were you trying to learn, solve, improve or create? Keep this focused — tell the judge what success looked like for your project.
Acknowledgements & References · optional
Include important sources and describe appropriate support you received. Phase 1 is blind — do not identify yourself, your school, teachers or mentors by name. Use descriptions such as “my science teacher” or “a university mentor” where appropriate.
Support is allowed. The work itself must still demonstrate the applicant's own contribution and understanding.
Build Your 3-Page Project PDF
Think of the PDF as the visual evidence behind your written application. It may include:
- project photographs
- prototype images
- diagrams
- sketches
- drawings
- charts
- data
- experimental results
- models
- process images
One simple structure: Page 1 — the problem, question or idea; Page 2 — what you did; Page 3 — results, prototype, evidence or what you learned. This is only one possible structure — you do not have to follow it. Prioritize useful evidence over decoration.
Keep Phase 1 anonymous
Phase 1 judges review your written project information and Project PDF without seeing your identity. Do not include:
- your name
- your face or identifiable portrait
- your school name
- your teacher or mentor name
- phone number
- social-media usernames
- unnecessary identifying information
Project photographs are welcome — just make sure they do not identify you.
Protect sensitive information
Do not include identifiable medical records, diagnoses, genetic information, biometric information or other sensitive personal information about yourself or another person.
Projects involving human participants should use anonymized or aggregated information. Do not include names, faces or identifying details of research participants.
Your 2-Minute Project Video
Phase 2 gives judges the opportunity to meet you and hear you explain your work.
What to talk about
We are judging your thinking — not your editing skills
A clear phone video is completely fine. Good lighting, understandable audio and a confident explanation matter more than transitions, music or special effects. Professional production is not required.
You may show:
- prototypes
- experiments
- demonstrations
- models
- data
- drawings
- screens
- physical builds
- other project materials
Video link requirements
- May be unlisted
- Does not need to be publicly searchable
- Must open without an individual permission request
- Must be accessible to authorized EXPLR staff and judges throughout judging
- Must be downloadable by EXPLR
- Include any required password or access code with your application
Test your link in a private / incognito browser before submitting.
Privacy
Your Project Video is submitted with your original application, but it is not shown to Phase 1 judges. It is not automatically published simply because you apply or become a Finalist.
If you later become a National STEM Champion and accept Champion status, the submitted Project Video may be used under the Champion media terms described in the Official Rules & Terms and Finalist Information & Champion Media Agreement.
See How Students Explain Their Work
There is no single right way to make your Project Video. These examples show different ways students can explain a project clearly, demonstrate their work and communicate why it matters. Use them for inspiration — don't copy their format or style. Your video should sound like you.
Notice how each student makes the project understandable without needing a highly produced video. Focus on your project, your thinking and your voice.
Getting Help Is Okay. Make Sure the Work Is Yours.
Good STEM work rarely happens completely alone. Teachers, mentors, parents, researchers and experts may provide appropriate guidance, and you may appropriately use software, research tools, analytical tools and generative AI.
The project must still represent your own work, decisions and understanding.
Using AI
Using generative AI does not automatically disqualify your project. The application asks whether you used generative AI and, if Yes, you'll briefly explain how. Examples might include:
- brainstorming
- research support
- writing assistance
- coding support
- data analysis
- image generation
- another appropriate use
AI can help you work. It cannot replace your work.
You are responsible for checking the accuracy of AI-generated information and for the integrity and originality of everything you submit.
Mentors & adult support
A mentor can ask questions, teach skills, explain a method or give feedback.
They cannot create the project for you, write the application for you or provide answers you do not understand. EXPLR may ask applicants to explain their methodology, sources, mentor involvement, use of AI and individual contribution.
Have You Invented Something New?
Your project remains your project. You retain ownership of your original ideas and work, subject to any third-party rights that may apply. Applying to the Festival means sharing information about your project with EXPLR and authorized judges.
Think before you disclose.
If your project includes something you believe may be patentable, commercially sensitive or otherwise protectable, consider talking with a parent, teacher, mentor or qualified intellectual-property professional before publicly disclosing important details. The National STEM Festival cannot provide individual legal or patent advice, and submitting an application does not automatically protect an invention.
What Happens Next?
Phase 1
Judges review your anonymous written project submission and Project PDF. Phase 1 Project Score is out of 100: 50 Positive Impact · 25 Innovation, Creativity & Originality · 25 Clarity of the Project.
Applicants at a school that currently receives Title I funding may receive a 5-point Title I Opportunity Bonus during Phase 1. It is hidden from judges, does not change the judge's Project Score, is added administratively and is used only for Finalist advancement. Up to 8 Finalists per Competition Region may advance.
Finalists
Finalists may be publicly recognized by name, Competition Region and project title. Up to 8 per region across 56 Competition Regions — a maximum of 448 Finalists. Finalists are scheduled to be announced May 12, 2027.
Finalists do not submit a new project. They complete the separate Finalist Information & Champion Media Agreement to remain eligible for National STEM Champion selection.
Phase 2
Phase 2 uses the Project Video you already submitted with your application. Phase 2 Video Score is out of 100: 50 Communication & Persuasiveness · 25 Positive Impact · 25 Innovation, Creativity & Originality.
Your Final Competition Score is 75% Phase 1 Project Score + 25% Phase 2 Video Score. The Title I Opportunity Bonus is not included. A Finalist must reach at least 65/100 to be eligible for National STEM Champion selection.
National STEM Champions
Up to 56 Regional National STEM Champions may be selected. One Regional Champion place is initially allocated to each of the 56 Competition Regions. A region is not guaranteed a Champion.
If a region has no qualifying Finalist who meets the minimum score and requirements, the unfilled place may be reallocated to a qualifying Finalist from another region — so a region may ultimately have more than one Regional National STEM Champion. The total number of Regional Champions never exceeds 56.
EXPLR may also select up to 8 additional Special Award National STEM Champions under published criteria, for a maximum cohort of 64 students. National STEM Champions are scheduled to be announced June 22, 2027.
National STEM Champion is a public-facing role. Accepting Champion status includes presenting the project publicly at the National STEM Festival in Washington, DC (October 19–24, 2027) and allowing EXPLR to use specified Champion media, including the submitted Project Video, as described in the Official Rules & Terms.
Ready to Apply?
Eligibility
- You are in Grade 7–12.
- Your usual home address is in one of the 56 Competition Regions.
- This is an individual project.
- You have selected one Festival Theme.
Written Application
- Your Project Title is 100 characters or fewer.
- Your Project Summary is 300 words or fewer.
- Research Question / Challenge / Hypothesis is 100 words or fewer.
- Objective / Purpose is 100 words or fewer.
- Your written project responses do not identify you or your school.
- Your Project PDF is no more than 3 pages.
- Your Project PDF is no more than 5MB.
- Your Project PDF uses at least 12-point substantive text.
- Your PDF does not contain your name, face, school or other identifying information.
Video
- Your Project Video is no more than 2 minutes.
- You appear on camera and identify yourself.
- Your video answers all four Project Video questions.
- Your video link opens correctly.
- EXPLR can download your video.
Before Submitting
- You have disclosed generative AI use honestly.
- You have parent / legal guardian information ready if you are under 18.
- I have read the Official Rules & Terms.
- I have read the Application Privacy Notice.
- You have checked your application carefully.
- You understand that substantive project changes cannot be made after submission.
Your project doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be yours.
Start Your ApplicationApplications open January 11, 2027 and close April 11, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET.