Episode Details

294: Online Contests for Students

In this episode, we explore a variety of online contests for students that homeschoolers can participate in. These contests provide great opportunities for students to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and even win prizes.

Contests Mentioned in This Episode:

1. PicoCTF
   • A cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) contest for ages 13 and up. Students work individually and in teams to solve challenges and develop critical thinking skills. Free training materials and practice challenges are available on the website.
2. Exploravision
   • A research-based contest where students, mentored by professionals, investigate a real-world problem. Available for high school and possibly younger students.
3. EngineerGirl Writing Contest
   • A writing contest focusing on engineering topics. Open to 3rd-12th graders, divided into different grade levels. The contest includes both boys and girls despite its name.
4. The Stock Market Game
   • A team-based game where students invest virtual money in the stock market. Open to students nationwide, it also includes an essay contest, InvestWrite, where students can win money and recognition.
5. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Contests
   • Patriot’s Pen: An essay contest for middle school students.
   • Voice of Democracy: A speech contest for high school students. Students record and submit their speeches, and winners can advance to regional and national levels.
6. Scholastic Art & Writing Contest
   • This well-known contest includes categories like art, writing, and even programming. Winners can earn recognition like the Golden Key Award, which looks great on college applications.
7. Jane Austen Essay Contest
   • An essay contest for fans of Jane Austen, with cash prizes for winners. Essays from previous winners are available for review on the website.
8. Classics and Mythology Contests
   • Offered by etclassics.org, these online contests focus on Latin, Greek, and mythology for different age groups and ability levels.
9. 15-Second Vocabulary Contest
   • A creative challenge hosted by the New York Times, where students create 15-second videos defining vocabulary words.