Top 13 Physics Competitions for High School Students in 2025–2026

Students who love physics often look for ways to push beyond what they learn in class. Physics competitions for high school students provide a place to do exactly that because they challenge students to apply problem-solving, build research skills, and test their knowledge against top talent from across the country and the world.

Many high school physics competitions come with remarkable opportunities. Students gain access to mentorship, research labs, professional scientists, and national-level recognition. These programs also help students strengthen college applications, especially if they’re aiming for the Ivy League or top STEM universities.

This guide covers 13 of the top physics competitions, including both pure physics contests and broader STEM competitions that allow students to submit physics-focused projects.

• What Are the Best Physics Competitions for High School Students?
• F=ma Contest
• USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
• Physics Bowl
• Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
• Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
• National Young Astronomer Award
• Conrad Challenge
• Davidson Fellows Awards
• Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
• NASA Drop Tower Challenge
• NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
• Space Settlement Design Contest
• Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Physics Competitions for High School Students?

Below is a quick summary of the 13 most prestigious physics competitions for the 2025–2026 cycle:

Let’s discuss each competition in detail.

1. F=ma Contest

Dates: February 12, 2026
Location: Online
Prizes: Medals and Qualification for USAPhO

The F=ma exam is designed for high school students who want a challenging assessment focused on Newtonian mechanics, forces, energy, momentum, and rotational motion.

The format is a 75-minute multiple-choice exam with questions that require strong conceptual understanding and fast problem-solving. Students often prepare through self-study, school physics clubs, or AP Physics C coursework. Many students use F=ma as a benchmark for advanced proficiency in physics.

The primary purpose of F=ma is to identify students with strong mechanics foundations. Top scorers advance to the next stage of the Olympiad program, the USA Physics Olympiad.

2. USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)

Dates: Late March or early April 2026, exact date and time TBA
Location: Online
Prizes: Invitations to the US Physics Team training camp, medals, certificates

The USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) is one of the most prestigious physics competitions for high school students in the U.S. Only the top scorers on the F=ma exam qualify to take it. The exam tests advanced topics including electricity and magnetism, waves, thermodynamics, fluids, and special relativity.

Unlike the F=ma exam, USAPhO includes long-form free-response questions that require detailed calculations, derivations, and written reasoning. Students who achieve top scores may be invited to the U.S. Physics Team training camp hosted by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

Participants receive certificates and recognition that can significantly strengthen college applications. USAPhO semifinalists, qualifiers, and medalists often go on to selective STEM schools such as MIT, Caltech, Harvard, and Stanford.

If you want to participate in the USAPhO, check out our complete guide.

3. Physics Bowl

Dates: March 2026, exact dates TBA
Location: Online or testing centers
Prizes: Trophies, certificates, national recognition

The Physics Bowl is an annual international physics competition for high school students, administered by the AAPT. Every March–April, students answer 40 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of high school physics topics:

• Conceptual physics
• Algebra-based physics
• AP Physics 1 and 2
• AP Physics C
• Selected topics from modern and contemporary physics

The exam is intentionally broad. No single student or school is expected to have covered every topic. If you want to know more about the structure of the Physics Bowl, read our comprehensive guide.

4. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Dates: May 9 to 15, 2026
Location: Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Convention Center).
Prizes: Scholarships up to $75,000, research grants, national and international awards

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s premier science competition for high school students, awarding nearly $9 million in prizes each year. More than 1,600 finalists from over 70 countries qualify through local and regional ISEF-affiliated fairs, where they present original research completed within a 12-month period.

The competition evaluates creativity, scientific rigor, and communication across 22 categories, with top honors, including the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award. In 2025, Adam Kovalčík, 19, earned this top prize for developing a medicine that can stop viruses from copying genes and controlling infections.

ISEF finalists must meet strict eligibility and documentation requirements, and judging includes both Grand Awards and Special Awards from industry and academic organizations. For aspiring young researchers, Regeneron ISEF represents the highest level of pre-college scientific achievement.

Want to learn more? Check out our complete guide to the Regeneron ISEF.

5. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

Dates: March 5 to  11, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Prizes: Up to $250,000 for top winners

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is the oldest science competition for high school seniors in the United States. Students submit a research portfolio that includes a scientific paper, essays, recommendations, and evidence of rigorous inquiry. Many STS submissions fall within physics fields such as quantum information, astrophysics, materials science, and mechanical systems.

Forty finalists are invited to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong science conference and judging sessions. The top ten students receive significant scholarships, with the winner receiving $250,000.

Even being named a semifinalist is considered a high honor. STS results are included in Ivy League and MIT admissions announcements almost every year because of the prestige tied to the program. If you’re keen on joining, use our Regeneron STS guide to help you prepare.

6. National Young Astronomer Award

Dates: Every January of award year
Location: United States
Prizes: Telescopes, travel grants, national recognition

The National Young Astronomer Award highlights outstanding high school students who demonstrate excellence in astronomy, astrophysics, or observational research. Students typically submit research papers, astrophotography work, or long-term observation projects supported by local astronomy clubs.

The competition recognizes young scientists who have made significant contributions to astronomical research or public outreach. Winners receive recognition from the Astronomical League along with opportunities to attend conferences and meet professional astronomers.

Eligible young astronomers must submit a complete application by March 31. The application includes a completed form, a clearly documented astronomy project based on the applicant’s own work, a summary of astronomy-related activities, and optional supporting exhibits.

Applicants are encouraged to be members of the Astronomical League, either through a local astronomy club or as a youth member-at-large. Submissions are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of professional astronomers.

7. Conrad Challenge

Dates: 2025-2026 cycle ended, 2026-2027 cycle opens late August 2026
Location: Virtual + Houston (Innovation Summit)
Prizes: Scholarships, patent assistance, mentoring opportunities

The Conrad Challenge is a global innovation competition where students design solutions to real-world problems. While multidisciplinary, the competition has categories for energy, aerospace, and space technology that align with applied physics.

Students work in teams to develop an invention, business plan, or scientific solution. They submit proposals, pitch decks, prototypes, and technical papers, and those who advance to the finals will be present at the annual Innovation Summit.

Physics-focused projects often involve energy systems, propulsion, satellite technology, or sustainability engineering. Students receive guidance from industry mentors and benefit from a professional pitch-style presentation experience.

The Conrad Challenge is perfect for students interested in engineering and entrepreneurship. Know more about the contest with our guide.

8. Davidson Fellows Awards

Dates: February 11, 2026
Location: Online
Prizes: Scholarships of $50,000, $25,000, or $10,000

The Davidson Fellows Awards honor students under 18 who have completed significant original work in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, and music. In physics, students often submit advanced research projects, theoretical papers, device prototypes, or computational models.

Winning this award is a significant distinction and highly valued by Ivy League and top STEM programs. Students selected as Fellows are invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Many Davidson Fellows projects are equivalent to early undergraduate or graduate-level work. For example, Brad Wu was recognized as a 2025 Davidson Fellow for developing an advanced rehabilitation system that integrates brain-computer interface (BCI) technology with a wearable forearm exoskeleton.

Interested in joining the competition? Read our guide to the Davidson Fellows scholarships.

9. Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Dates: 2026 dates TBA
Location: Video Submission
Prizes: $25,000 grand prize, mentorship with a 3M scientist

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a nationwide competition for students in grades 5–8 that empowers young innovators to solve real-world problems with original scientific ideas. Participants submit a 1–2 minute video describing a solution to an everyday issue that affects them or their communities.

No advanced equipment or polished production is required. Entries for the 2025 challenge opened January 8 and closed May 1, with finalists announced in June. The top 10 finalists each receive $1,000 and a unique summer mentorship with a 3M scientist, culminating in prototype development and a final competition in October.

The grand prize winner earns $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” State Merit and Honorable Mention winners also receive recognition.

Interested in participating in the challenge? Check out our guide to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

10. NASA Drop Tower Challenge

Dates: 2026 dates TBA
Location: Remote
Prizes: Opportunity to conduct experiments in microgravity, certificates, NASA mentorship

NASA’s annual Drop Tower Challenge invites U.S. students in grades 8–12 to design and build experimental hardware for testing in the 2.2 Second Drop Tower at NASA’s Glenn Research Center.

For 2025, teams must create a paddle wheel that rotates in water solely because of its hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface properties during microgravity. Mechanical rotation is not allowed; motion must result only from surface wetting behavior when the wheel experiences apparent weightlessness.

Students first submit a proposal with conceptual drawings. Selected teams then build their paddle wheels, which NASA tests by dropping them 24 meters (79 feet). NASA returns video footage for student analysis and reporting. Up to 30 teams will be chosen, and top performers may be invited to present a poster at the 2025 American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) meeting.

The challenge is remote, and up to four students per team may attend the ASGSR presentation if selected. Participation is limited to U.S. schools, territories, tribal nations, and DoDEA schools.

For the 2025 edition, students were engaged from January (test object preparation) to November (ASGSR meeting).

11. NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge

Dates: April 9 to 11, 2026
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
Prizes: NASA awards, engineering design recognition

NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) is a nine-month engineering competition that pushes students to design, build, and test human-powered or remote-controlled rovers capable of navigating simulated lunar terrain while completing mission tasks. The competition culminates in a final three-day excursion event held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

12. Space Settlement Design Contest

Dates: Proposals due by March 1, 2026
Location: Titusville, Florida, USA
Prizes: Presentations at the International Space Development Conference, cash scholarships, and certificates

The Space Settlement Design Contest (SSDC), hosted by the National Space Society, challenges students worldwide to design a detailed, technically realistic space settlement.

Teams produce a professional 40-page proposal integrating engineering, physics, architecture, orbital mechanics, radiation protection, life-support design, and resource management. The SSDC operates through several event tiers:

• Qualifying Round. Teams spend several months creating a 40-page space settlement proposal. Four top teams advance to the international qualifying pool.
• Preliminary Rounds. Some regions require additional projects or events before teams can move on to the semi-finals.
• Semi-Final Events. Students are reorganized into mixed-team “companies” and develop full design solutions over an intensive weekend, ending with presentations to judges.
• International Finals (NASA Kennedy Space Center). Regional winners and qualifying teams are reorganized into four large design companies. Teams receive the Finalist RFP on Saturday and present their solutions on Monday.
• Tournaments and Special Events. Alternate formats allow more students to participate. These events use similar scenarios but do not advance teams to the International Finals.

13. Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)

Dates: May 16, 2026 (National Finals)
Location: Northern Virginia
Prizes: Scholarships, NASA invitations, national ranking, and cash prizes

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the nation’s largest student rocketry competition, challenging teams to engineer, test, and refine model rockets under real aerospace design constraints.

The 2026 challenge requires teams to design and fly a rocket that reaches exactly 750 feet, achieves a 36–39 second flight duration, and returns a raw hen’s egg safely and undamaged. All components must remain tethered together during recovery, and the rocket must descend by parachute.

Qualification rules:

• Teams must complete two to three official qualification flights
• The best two scores are combined for national ranking
• The top 100 teams earn invitations to the National Finals

This challenge develops engineering design, model rocketry skills, and real-world testing discipline under strict flight constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which physics competition is best for beginners?

Physics Bowl and F=ma are great starting points. Physics Bowl covers standard high school physics concepts, while F=ma focuses on mechanics. Neither requires advanced coursework, making them accessible for motivated beginners.

2. Do I need research experience to enter physics competitions?

Not for most contests. Exams like F=ma, USAPhO, and Physics Bowl don’t require research. Competitions like ISEF, STS, and Davidson Fellows do require original research, but students often start by working with a mentor or a school research program.

3. Which physics competitions are the most prestigious?

Selective universities widely recognize USAPhO, Regeneron STS, and ISEF. TARC and NASA’s programs are also highly regarded for their engineering rigor and national visibility.

4. Can international students participate in these competitions?

Many programs accept international applicants, including Physics Bowl, ISEF, Conrad Challenge, and the Space Settlement Design Contest. F=ma and USAPhO are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

5. How do physics competitions help with college admissions?

Students demonstrate academic initiative, advanced problem-solving, and genuine interest in STEM. Achievements provide strong evidence of readiness for rigorous university programs, especially in engineering, physics, or computer science.

Takeaways

• Physics competitions for high school students give learners an early advantage by building analytical and research skills used in college-level STEM programs.
• Many physics contests lead to national recognition, scholarships, or access to advanced training, strengthening competitiveness for selective universities.
• Students can explore both exam-based and research-based competitions depending on their interests, skill level, and long-term academic goals.
• Multi-disciplinary STEM competitions offer physics categories, giving students flexible ways to pursue specialized topics in astrophysics, materials science, energy, or engineering.
• Working with an expert mentor helps students choose the right competitions and build standout application materials. Our Science Research Program guides students through the selection, design, and completion of a competitive research project that boosts their admissions profile.