Make a Splash with STEM for a Chance to Win

Update: This contest has ended and the winners can be viewed here. Thank you to all who entered!

Teaching science, technology, engineering, and math as a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications rather than only as four distinct subjects is the concept behind STEM education. This kind of education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. And when students are taught to be innovative, they can create new products and processes that sustain the economy. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) “STEM 101: Intro to Tomorrow’s Jobs” report, “BLS projects overall STEM employment, [as defined in the report], to grow about 13 percent between 2012 and 2022.”

There are many ways for students to explore STEM education, and this year’s K12 STEM Contest offers students the opportunity to explore and share their STEM-related talents. This year’s contest offers your uniquely brilliant students the chance to win cool prizes when they create a Rube Goldberg type of machine that involves water! Think of all of the ways you can “make this do that,” and “that go SPLASH”! Here’s an example of what we’re looking for:

Read the important details about this year’s contest below and, when your student is ready to enter, simply visit stories.k12.com and complete the form and upload a video of his or her water machine.

K12’s 2018 STEM Contest Details:

The theme for the 2018 K12 STEM Contest is MAKE A SPLASH! Using water—and your own unique, crazy brilliance—build a machine that links a series of devices together to ultimately (you’ve got it) MAKE A SPLASH!
Submissions MUST use water in some capacity.
Submissions MUST showcase a Rube Goldberg machine, i.e., a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of tasks are linked together to produce a domino effect.
Submissions MUST contain a video of the machine in action.
The contest is open to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Three finalists will be chosen from each grade level, and will receive a trophy and a STEM kit
An Overall Winner will be chosen, in addition to the grade level winners, and will receive a trophy and a STEM kit.
Each and every student who submits their creative water machine will receive a certificate of participation.
All finalists’ machines will be featured in an online gallery.
All submissions must be received at stories.k12.com by 5 PM (ET) Friday, March 9.
Read the complete details and contest rules.