Great school competitions to participate in?

Hi all! I'm looking to boost my high school resume and find some interesting school competitions to take part in. Can you recommend any academic or other kinds of contests that are popular among high school students? Thanks!

Hi there! It's awesome that you're seeking opportunities to get involved in competitions. There are several academic and non-academic contests available for high school students, and I'll list a few of them below. Keep in mind that you should choose competitions that align with your interests, as this will help you stay engaged and motivated.

1. Science Olympiad: A popular team-based competition with events in various fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Participating can help you develop your problem-solving and teamwork skills.

2. National History Day: A competition where students research and present on historical topics. Projects can be in the form of documentaries, exhibits, papers, or performances. It's an excellent opportunity to enhance your research and presentation skills.

3. Math Competitions: There are many math competitions available for high school students, such as the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), MathCounts, and the USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS), where you can challenge your math skills at different levels.

4. National Speech and Debate Tournament: Organized by the National Speech & Debate Association, this tournament offers various speech and debate events that can help improve your public speaking, critical thinking, and persuasive skills.

5. Model United Nations (MUN): In an imitation of the United Nations process, students represent different countries and debate global issues. Excellent for developing diplomacy, negotiation, and public speaking skills.

6. National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Open to students in grades 7-12, this competition encourages creative expression through visual arts and writing. There are several categories to enter, ranging from painting and sculpture to poetry and journalism.

7. Robotics Competitions: FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics are two popular programs where students design, build, and program robots to compete against other teams. These competitions allow you to develop engineering, programming, and teamwork skills.

8. National Science Bowl: A team-based, fast-paced quiz competition organized by the Department of Energy. It covers subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and energy, as well as some mathematics topics.

Again, the key is to choose a competition or contest that genuinely interests and excites you, as you'll be more likely to do well if you're personally interested in the topic you're being tested on. Good luck, and I hope you find something that suits your passions!