ORISE STEM Cities Student Competition
by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)
A national online competition for K-12 students to envision and create a futuristic city powered by innovative technology, with submissions due October 31, 2026.
About
The ORISE (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) STEM Cities Student Competition challenges K-12 students to envision and create a futuristic city powered by innovative technology. The competition is open to students in grades K-12, with specific instructions and prizes tailored for grade bands including K-2 and 3-5. Participants are asked to design a futuristic city and provide a pitch that explains their idea and the underlying STEM concepts. The competition for 2026 opens on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and submissions are due by Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Two winners will be selected per grade band, receiving "Back-to-School STEM Kits" as prizes, which include items like learning tablets, mathlink cube sets, or Kindle Kids readers. The competition is conducted online and is national in scope. The cost to enter is not mentioned but typically these types of competitions are free.
Who's eligible
Students in grades K-12.
How to enroll
Design a futuristic city and provide a pitch explaining the idea and underlying STEM concepts.
Ready to apply?
Information current as of Sep 28, 2026.