Contests and Challenges by Other Providers

The following STEM and environmental contests and challenges are provided as resources. They are not from the Broward County Public Schools. Please see individual contests for the correct contact if you have any questions.

NOTE: This list is constantly updated and it's organized by the due date. A lot of these are yearly challenges - check each site for due dates. *Grants - see bottom of page for more info.

Name of the Challenge	Challenge Sponsor	Description	Grade Levels / Due Dates
Broward County Farm Bureau School Garden Award	Broward County Farm Bureau	This grant's purpose is to help schools teach the basic principles of agriculture required by Florida Statutes. Requirements are easy to meet in just four steps! In order to be eligible for the grant, teachers must meet the requirements. Mini-grant ($250) - https://floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/mini_grant_2024 BCFB grant application.pdf	Grant* - Educators Due - Check - throughout the year
Green Schools Challenge	Dream in Green	The Green Schools Challenge is a whole-system program that engages students in hands-on activities to save energy and water at school and teaches them about the links between natural resources, climate change and community sustainability. Participants receive a guidebook with educational activities focused on the following monthly topics: energy efficiency and conservation, waste reduction and recycling, water quality and conservation, alternative transportation, green living (buildings and careers), and food efficiency. Participants learn the basics of sustainability and build the foundation for a green school and professional development training for all teachers enrolled and grants of up to $350 for schools to implement green initiatives. Participation in the Green Schools Challenge will receive points in their P3 Eco-Challenge application.	Schools, teachers, students Applications: September - April
Future Engineers Competitions	Future Engineers	Future Engineers hosts online innovation challenges for K-12 students. There are various contests - Power to Explore, Future Creatures, NASA Techrise, Robot Design, Action Contraption, Veterans Appreciation, etc.	K-12 Due Dates: Ongoing due dates per challenge
Purple Plow "Save the Soil Challenge"	American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture	Students can help conserve natural resources locally and protect local ecosystems by addressing current and historical problems associated with the erosion of topsoil that limits the ability to grow food. After thoughtful research to evaluate how these challenges exist globally and locally, students will design, test, and demonstrate a solution that reduces topsoil erosion for their unique location or situation to help conserve productive soil. The final product will be a model which demonstrates a measurable reduction in soil erosion.	Junior (grades 5-8) Senior (grades 9-12) Entry must be submitted by: December 1, 2024
BEF Innovative Teacher Grant or BEF City of Hollywood Teacher Grant	Broward Education Foundation	The Grants Administration Department at Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Broward Education Foundation (BEF) are offering virtual grant writing workshops for school-based community members. Topics include an introduction to grants and grant writing, how to identify grants, and tips on how to write winning proposals. Additionally, teachers and school-based staff will learn how easy it is to apply for a BEF Innovative Teacher Grant or BEF City of Hollywood Teacher Grant that provides $500 - $1,200 in funding for innovative, school-based projects. The Innovative Teacher Grant guidelines and proposal can be viewed here. The application deadline is December 2, 2024.	Educators Grants due December 2, 2024
Codebreaker Challenge	National Security Agency (NSA)	The NSA Codebreaker Challenge provides students with a hands-on opportunity to develop their reverse-engineering / low-level code analysis skills while working on a realistic problem set centered around the NSA's mission.	Middle and High School students September 16, 2024 - January 17th, 2025
ExploraVision competition	Toshiba and The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)	Engages the next generation in real world problem solving with a strong emphasis on STEM. ExploraVision challenges students to envision and communicate new technology 10 or more years in the future through collaborative brainstorming and research of current science and technology. *Team competition (2-4 per team)	K-3 4-6 7-9 10–12 Applications: January 31, 2025
EngineerGirl Writing Contest	National Academy of Engineering	Every year, the EngineerGirl website hosts a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world. The topic and detailed instructions for the contest are posted in September with a deadline for submissions on February 1st of the following year. Winners are announced in the summer.	Elementary Middle High Entries Due: February 1, 2025
"To Flush or Not to Flush" Florida Water Environment Association Video Contest	Florida Water Environment Association	Do you know what happens in the sewer system after you flush? Why is it a problem to use toilets as trash cans? To help creatively answer these questions and explain what does or does not belong down toilets, we're looking for public service announcements or video entries. You can create a newscast, news story, skit, animation, commercial or even a music video. Let your imagination run wild, but please follow the instructions carefully if you'd like to be considered for a cash prize!	Middle and High Entries Due: February 12, 2025
NSF Game Maker Awards	U.S. National Science Foundation	The U.S. National Science Foundation is thrilled to announce the NSF Game Maker Awards, commemorating its 75th anniversary by inspiring young minds in STEM through video game design. This exciting prize challenge invites K-12 students to showcase their creativity and technical skills by envisioning "Life in 2100." Participants will delve into STEM concepts, explore NSF-supported research areas and compete for prizes. The competition is now open, and submissions are due by January 31, 2025.	K-12 Submissions Due: January 31, 2025
Clean Air Calendar Poster Contest	Broward County Natural Resources Division	Yearly calendar contest for Broward County students. Winning artwork are published in the annual calendar. Check website when it updates for this year's theme.	K-12 Entries Due: Check website for deadlines (usually in February or later of the next year)
All Girls Coding Competitions	Code/Art	Code/Art's coding competitions combine coding, art, and social good to inspire female-identifying, non-binary and gender queer students in grades 3-12 to explore computer science by using their coding skills to create coded art and enact positive change. Code/Art 2024-25 Competitions CodeYourSelf - Write a computer program that generates your self-portrait and is inspired by the current theme - grades 3-12 Coded Animated Art- Create an animated art piece that is composed or constructed by your computer program - grades 3-12 Game Design Competition - Create and develop your own original game with a clear objective on a browser based platform - grades 3-12 ChangeMaker ($5,000 grand prize) - Work in a team to solve a problem in your community & pitch idea to panel of judges - grades 8-12	Female-identifying or gender non-binary students 3rd-5th 6th-8th 9th-12th Entries Due: February 11, 2025
eCYBERMISSION (competition) and eCYBERMISSION Grant	U.S. Army Educational Outreach program; administered by the National Science Teaching Association	eCYBERMISSION is a free, virtual STEM competition for students in grades 6-9. Each team needs: 2-4 students An adult Team Advisor A community problem to explore or try to solve Teams choose one of two paths: Science – Asking a question/exploring a problem Engineering – Solving a problem	Grades 6, 7, 8, 9 Registration Closes: February 26, 2025
Ciena Solutions Challenge Sustainability Awards	Digital Promise	The Challenge invites educators and students to engage in Challenge Based Learning to design a solution that addresses the Sustainable Development Goals . By using Challenge Based Learning, teams will explore a big idea, ask thoughtful questions, investigate their challenge, and act to create a solution. Challenge teams may design anything from a product or device, a campaign or piece of media, a physical space or environment, an experience, a system, or something else that leverages digital tools and technologies. Challenge Timeline September 3, 2024: Submission portal opens March 6, 2025, 11:59 PDT: Submission portal closes April 2025: Challenge awardees announced	Students and Educators - Middle/High Submission Closes: March 6, 2025, 11:59 PDT: Submission portal closes

How to Submit Your Completed Challenge

Please see the individual contests and challenges for the due date and submission information. These contests are not provided by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). If you have any questions, please see the contact information for the contest, not BCPS.

*Grants

BCPS School-Based Grants Program

School-based grants are available from a variety of funders for many classroom and school-based needs and programs. The Grants Administration Department is available to help you identify your funding needs, find grants and develop proposals. Please reach out to Adriana Ermoli-Miller, Manager, Grant Programs Oversight via email or at 754-321-2266 if you would like additional information.

Please keep in mind that per School Board policy, all external sources of funding require school board approval. A copy of all grant applications to external agencies must be submitted to the Grants Administration Department as soon as possible to obtain School Board approval. Grant contracts and funds will not be awarded without Board approval. A copy may be submitted via e-mail to GrantsAdministration@Browardschools.com or via pony mail to the Grants Administration Department on the 4th Floor of the K.C. Wright Administrative Building.

STEM + Computer Science, Applied Learning Dept.
Broward County Public Schools, FL

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