Contests, Competitions, Awards, and Quizzes

There are many local and national contests and competitions that homeschoolers can enter. Online quizzes are a good way to brush up or learn something new. There are also links to getting YOUR work published.

Art

Check out the listings at Buzzle.com.

Doodle 4 Google

Design a new logo for Google. Full info at Doodle 4 Google. Open to kids K-12, deadline 17 March 2009. Although it says "only schools may submit," on the Registration page there's a place for homeschoolers too.

Arbor Day National Poster Competition

Poster competition for fifth-graders on the subject Trees are Terrific ... Inside and Out. Free lesson plans and materials

• Stone Soup publishes writing and art by children.
• ZigZagZine is an online magazine for kids created by a homeschooled kid.

Math

Online Math League

• Age Range: Grades 2 - 12
• Deadline: Three contests per year: November, January, March
• Online Math League information includes sample tests.
• Brief Description: Develops problem-solving abilities through the use of higher-level and multi-step questions. Individuals can register for $25, covering three contests.

Playwriting

Write a Play! NYC

• Age Range: three categories: elementary, middle, and high school
• Deadline: 1 April 2009
• Competition information
• Brief Description: Write a play. All entrants receive a Certificate of Merit, a written evaluation of the play, and an invitation to the annual Awards Ceremony.

Poetry

• Merlyn's Pen publishes fiction, essays, and poems by teens and also lists some contests.
• The deadline for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is in January, with categories in writing and art, for grades 7-12.

Other Poetry

• Bronx Zoo Poetry Safari Contest 2007: Hear and see the winners
• List of Poetry Competitions
• Poetry Contests for various grades

Science

Check out Science Buddies for science fair ideas and such useful information as how to find a mentor. Also look at Science Fairs.

Exploravision

• Brief Description: Encourages students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology to explore visions of the future.
• Deadline: end of January
• Exploravision information
• Brief Description: Encourages students to combine their imagination with their knowledge of science and technology to explore visions of the future.

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

• Age Range: 9 to 14 (16 outside of the U.S. and Canada)
• FIRST LEGO League (FLL) information
• Brief Description: FLL is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids.

Online Science League

• Age Range: Grades 3 - 8
• Deadline: Three contests per year: November, January, March
• Online Science League information includes sample tests.
• Brief Description: Dedicated to helping students learn to love science . Individuals can register for $25, covering three contests.

Social Studies

Online Social Studies League

• Age Range: Grades 2 - 12
• Deadline: Three contests per year: November, January, March
• Online Social Studies League information includes sample tests.
• Brief Description: Dedicated to helping students learn to love social studies. Individuals can register for $25, covering three contests.

Writing

• Merlyn's Pen publishes fiction, essays, and poems by teens and also lists some contests.
• PBS Kids Go Writing Contest: For stories written and illustrated by kids in K-3. The contest runs every year from January – March.
• The deadline for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is in January, with categories in writing and art, for grades 7-12.
• Stone Soup publishes writing and art by children.
• ZigZagZine is an online magazine for kids created by a homeschooled kid.

Websites listing competitions and quizzes

• A to Z's contests page
• Competitions - a list of resources from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development.
• Grandma Jam's contests page
• Quiz Tree - free online quizzes in many subjects.