STEM Projects, Activities, and Challenges

At K12-powered schools, STEM educational opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Students of all ages can participate in exciting and fun extracurricular STEM projects and activities designed to inspire.

Why participate in these STEM activities and challenges?

Our interactive, real-world ventures challenge children to be curious and creative while empowering them to develop solutions for real-world problems. These teacher-led STEM activities also help kids build confidence, resilience, and resourcefulness. Plus, it’s a rich and rewarding chance for many students to cultivate other passions and interests outside of the online STEM curriculum.

Popular STEM Challenges

STEM challenges provide an online and offline platform for students to compete in healthy, well-balanced contests. These fun STEM programs enhance the standard STEM curriculum and help students make new friends, discover new passions, and cultivate new skills that prepare them for the world ahead.

Students from across the country are invited to participate in the K12 Innovation Challenge. Students discuss real-world environmental concerns and share their solutions during this exciting STEM activity. This competition is about using creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork to research an issue, develop a theoretical solution, and design a plan that solves the problem. To learn more, watch this video for an in-depth look at a K12 Student Innovation Challenge team at work.

How the K12 Innovation Challenge Works

  • High school students in grades 9–12 are eligible to participate
  • Students from outside K12-powered schools can also join
  • Winners are selected at the state, regional, and national levels
  • Stride headquarters hosts the final stage of the contest
  • Prizes include $1,000 Amazon gift cards and more

For students all-in on Minecraft®, K12 offers Minecraft® Build Challenges where students can compete in the game for the chance to win prizes. These competitions are open to middle school and high school students participating in the immersive online Minecraft® Club experience.

Examples of Past Challenges

Enroll in K12-Powered Schools to Enjoy STEM Challenges

Cultivate your student’s curiosity while combining their passions and education with STEM projects, activities, and challenges. Discover everything the K12 STEM curriculum has to offer.

Learn More About STEM Education

STEM and STEAM focused education approaches are a great way to get students excited about learning. We’ve put together lots of information and resources here so you can learn about and navigate through the many possibilities.

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STEM in Curriculum

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STEM vs. STEAM

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STEM Clubs

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STEM in the Real World

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STEM Projects, Activities, and Challenges