U.S. Edition 2027 · Washington DC

Get a head start.

Everything you need to get a head start is right here — eligibility, how to enter, and what to prepare. Pre-register and we'll remind you the moment applications open on January 11, 2027.

Grades 7–12 · Individual Projects · 56 Competition Regions · Washington DC, Oct 19–24, 2027

Pre-register ↓ Eligibility How to enter Application Guide
National STEM Champions at the Festival
What you win

Win a seat at the Festival.

Selected National STEM Champions are invited to Washington, DC for the Festival — the trip, the stage, and the people who can change what comes next.

  • Present your project on the Festival stage in Washington, DC
  • Meet scientists, engineers & industry leaders
  • Travel & participation funded for selected Champions
  • Exclusive Festival experiences — plus Special Awards
Illinois National STEM Champion Divinefavour ► Watch
Inside the Festival

See it in action.

A look at the National STEM Festival floor — the builds, the energy, the people. Featuring Divinefavour, a 2026 National STEM Champion from Illinois, and his biomimetic prosthetic hand.

Watch the floor →
Pre-register

Be first to know.

Add your details and we’ll remind you the moment applications open on January 11, 2027 — with everything you need to prepare.

You must be at least 13 to register.
Don't worry — you can change this when you submit your application.

Please add nationalstemfestival@explr-media.com to your address book to ensure delivery.

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Eligibility

Who can apply

  • Students in grades 7–12 at the application deadline.
  • Attend an eligible public, private, charter, DoDEA or home school in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or five eligible U.S. territories.
  • Enter an individual project that represents your own work — no more than one project per student.

U.S. citizenship is not required. Immediate family members of EXPLR employees directly involved in administering or judging the Festival, and individuals living in the same household, are not eligible.

How to enter

One application. Two phases.

You apply once — finalists are simply invited to have their video reviewed. All initial applications are judged blind.

Phase 1 · Written

Written application

Submit a 3-page PDF project summary and a short application, plus a short project video. Judged blind — up to 12 finalists advance per region.

Phase 2 · Video

Finalist review

Finalists advance automatically — no new submission needed. Your project video is reviewed alongside the written work. Final Score = 75% project + 25% video.

Outcome

National Champions

One Champion per region — up to 56 across the U.S. — invited to Washington, DC to present, meet industry leaders, and take part in exclusive experiences. Travel and participation are provided for selected Champions. Special Awards recognize more.