Past STEM Challenges

To be announced at the STEM Challenge Banquet on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

STEM Challenge projects will be evaluated in a rigorous two-stage judging process. While the first round of judging will occur virtually, the second round of judging will be held in-person at Frost Science. Winners of the STEM Challenge will receive college scholarships through Florida Prepaid. The scholarship amounts are as follows:

Individual Project Winners

• 1st Place: 4-year Florida University Plan
• 2nd Place: 3-year Florida University Plan
• 3rd Place: 2-year Florida University Plan
• Top Oral Presentation: 1-year Florida University Plan
• Top Model: 1-year Florida University Plan

Group Project Winners

• 1st Place: 3-year Florida University Plan
• 2nd Place: 2-year Florida University Plan
• 3rd Place: 2-year Florida University Plan
• Top Oral Presentation: 1-year Florida University Plan
• Top Model: 1-year Florida University Plan

Junior STEM Challenge Project Winners

• 1st Place: 1-year Florida University Plan
• 2nd Place: 1-year Florida University Plan
• 3rd Place: 1-year Florida University Plan

For winners to receive college scholarships through Florida Prepaid, they must have a valid Social Security Number, be less than 21 years of age, not have graduated high school, be a FL resident for 1+ year, and be a US citizen. If the winning student does not meet one of these criteria, Frost Science will work directly with the student to distribute the scholarship. Scholarships not distributed through Florida Prepaid will not qualify for the matched scholarship value and will be of lesser value.

Florida University Plans distributed through Florida Prepaid are designed to be used at public Florida state universities but may be applied to tuition at private and out-of-state schools. When these scholarships are applied to private and out-of-state schools, their monetary value will be applied to student tuition and will not cover the 1-to-4-year value that they would at a Florida state university.

Students may engage with resources as part of STEM Challenge activities or to continue learning after they have completed the STEM Challenge.

STEM Challenge Resources – Activity 2: Sound Sources

• Unreliable Source
• Reliable Source
• Primary Source
• Secondary Source
• Tertiary Source

STEM Challenge Resources – Activity 4: Pitch Your Point 

• Example Pitch/ Argument

Free Resources

• Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science: Frost Science will print 3D models for students participating in the STEM Challenge. These models will be printed on a small scale and model files must be sent to Frost Science 2 months prior to the necessary in-hand date. If you are interested in printing your STEM Challenge models for free, please send your STL files to education@frostscience.org
• AutoDesk: The AutoDesk Suite provides a wide variety of different software that range from simple 3D modeling to infrastructure design. Software provided in the AutoDesk suite are free for students with a valid school email-address.
• Tinkercad (Beginner): Tinkercad is a web-based AutoDesk software that allows users to create 3D models, circuits, and code. The circuits are compatible with Arduino and Micro:Bit and utilize block and Python coding. Tinkercad cannot be used to design circuits compatible with Raspberry Pi. Tinkercad is considered an easy-to-use software.
• Blender (Advanced): Blender is a 3D creation suite that has more capabilities than other 3D modeling software, like Tinkercad, and can create styled and photo-realistic 3D models, animations, simulations, and more. Because Blender has a lot of tools and settings, it also has a steep learning curve.
• GitHub (Intermediate-Advanced): GitHub is a platform where developers can create, store, manage, and share their code with other users. Like with any online download, code used for the STEM Challenge should only come from reliable sources to avoid encountering malware. The source for any code from GitHub used in a STEM Challenge project should be cited.
• Google Earth Studio (Beginner-Intermediate): Google Earth Studio is an online software that can be used to create animations and Virtual Reality scenes. Google Earth Studio utilizes Google Earth satellite and Street View imagery along with 3D building models.
• KIRI Engine (Beginner): KIRI Engine allows users to scan objects using their phone to create 3D models. The 3D models generated by KIRI Engine can then be exported and imported into other 3D modeling software, where the file can be edited.
• QGIS (Intermediate-Advanced): QGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) software. As a GIS software, QGIS allows users to analyze, display, and map location data. Uses for GIS maps include displaying weather data, identifying flood zones, monitoring deforestation, and urban planning.
• Teachable Machine (Beginner): Teachable Machine is a machine learning AI program. Users provide images and sounds to the Teachable Machine, and the AI will learn how to identify and categorize the provided media. The Teachable Machine can be exported and used in conjunction with coding.
• Unreal Engine (Advanced): Unreal Engine is a 3D graphics computer game engine. While this software is primarily used to create video games, it is also used to create simulations, VR/AR/MR, video, and more. Knowing C++ is advantageous when using the program.
• Visual Studio Code (VSCode) (Intermediate-Advanced): VSCode is an environment where users can write, debug, test, and compile code. VSCode requires a basic understanding of at least one programming language.
• Online Courses (Beginner-Advanced): Students can take free and paid courses that address a wide range of different topics, including coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.
  • Coursera
  • CodeAcademy

STEM Challenge teachers can also reserve their Field Trip and the Meet the Museum Scientist opportunities by completing the Optional and Additional Engagements Form.

• Computer Science
• Environmental Science
• STEM Research Elective
• AP Biology
• Marine Science
• Ecology
• Health Science
• Earth and Space Science Honors