Opportunity directory

USAAAO selects students for the U.S. astronomy and astrophysics team through three proctored stages. The first round is about 75 minutes with roughly 30 multiple-choice questions; qualifiers take a 2.5-hour free-response National Astronomy Competition, and the top 15 eligible scorers enter free online training and a theory-and-practical third round. Final ranking weights the NAC at 40% and the third round at 60%, with the top five selected for the international team. For 2026, registration cost $30, with a $20 group rate and need-based aid, and the first exam was February 9.

The USA Biology Olympiad Open Exam is the nationwide first step toward the U.S. team for the International Biology Olympiad. It is a 50-minute online multiple-choice test for biology students at registered U.S. high schools. In 2026, students in the top 10% advanced to the March 4 Semifinal Exam. The progression then selected 20 National Finals participants and ultimately four students for the July International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The USA Biology Olympiad Semifinal Exam is the second, invitation-only stage of the national biology olympiad. The top 10% of Open Exam participants take a two-hour online exam combining multiple choice, short answer, multiple true-or-false, and free-response questions. In 2026, the Semifinal was held March 4; the top 20 students advanced to National Finals for intensive instruction, laboratory and theoretical assessment, and selection of the four-person U.S. International Biology Olympiad team.

USACO offers free algorithmic-programming contests in which students read problems, design efficient algorithms, implement solutions, and submit code to an online judge. Divisions progress from Bronze through Silver and Gold to Platinum, covering topics from sorting and search to dynamic programming, graph algorithms, and advanced data structures. The 2025–26 season used three four-day online contest windows in January and February followed by a proctored March 28 US Open; top U.S. students advanced to the May training camp, where four-person IOI and EGOI teams were selected.

USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad is a named high-school participation pathway published by American Mathematics Competitions, with details that vary by current cycle and local organizer.

USA Mathematical Olympiad is a named high-school participation pathway published by American Mathematics Competitions, with details that vary by current cycle and local organizer.

A free college-preparation program for high-achieving rising seniors with a residential summer intensive and continued advising.

The 2026–27 VEX V5 Robotics Competition game is Override. Student teams design, build, program, document, and repeatedly improve a V5 robot, then compete at local and regional events for advancement toward the 2027 World Championship. Override uses two two-team alliances on a 12-by-12-foot field; each match has a 15-second autonomous period and 1 minute 45 seconds of driver control, with 56 Cups, 63 Pins, nine Goals, and four Toggles. The wider V5 program reports more than 20,000 teams in 50 countries across over 1,700 competitions.

VFW Voice of Democracy is an organizer-run high-school competition or award program in writing, audio, civics.

Video Game Design is a named high-school participation pathway published by Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, with details that vary by current cycle and local organizer.

Virtual Service is a named high-school participation pathway published by Points of Light; current availability and local rules must be checked.