Turn MAD-learn projects into real-world opportunities for creativity, coding, and recognition!
Every year, thousands of students across the country dream, design, and develop incredible apps using MAD-learn. But what if those ideas could go beyond the classroom — gaining national recognition, prizes, and real-world impact? Good news: They can!
Whether they’ve created an app in MAD-learn, coded a robot, or designed something completely unique, there are countless ways to take those skills further — through competitions that celebrate creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting national and international app and STEM competitions where your students can showcase their innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial spirit. These challenges align beautifully with CTE pathways in Information Technology, STEM, and Business, offering authentic opportunities to extend classroom learning.
Competitions that Spark Creativity, Real-World Skills and Pair Well with MAD-learn
These challenges naturally align with the app design, problem-solving, and presentation skills that MAD-learn builds:
Congressional App Challenge (CAC) – Middle & High School
Students create and present original apps to members of Congress — promoting coding, civic engagement, and innovation in every district across the U.S.— A perfect match for MAD-learn’s app development and pitch process.
NASA App Development Challenge (ADC) – Middle & High School
Use real NASA data to build apps that help with space missions — where creativity meets cutting-edge science! Ideal for MAD-learn students interested in space, science, and data.
Imagine Cup (Microsoft) – High School & College
This global competition challenges students to design apps or games that change the world. Teams pitch their ideas, code prototypes, and compete internationally. MAD-learn students can use their app prototypes as a springboard.
Presidential AI Challenge – K–12
Students explore the power of AI to solve real community problems — a fantastic introduction to artificial intelligence and social innovation. MAD-learn is a great platform to design and present their ideas visually.
Maine App Challenge – High School (Maine only)
Perfect for MAD-learn users! Students design mobile apps and compete for scholarships and recognition — an authentic showcase of app development skills. Aspiring developers design mobile apps and compete for scholarships and recognition in this state-level challenge.
FIRST LEGO League – Elementary–Middle School
Students design, build, and program LEGO robots to solve real-world engineering challenges while building teamwork and innovation skills. While the robotics work happens outside MAD-learn, teams could use MAD-learn as an engineering notebook to document their process and present their work creatively.
Broadcom MASTERS / Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge – Middle School
A national competition recognizing outstanding middle school STEM projects that blend curiosity, creativity, and impact. MAD-learn can serve as a digital portfolio or presentation tool for their projects.
American Computer Science League (ACSL) – K–12
A long-standing computer science competition that challenges students with coding and logic problems. MAD-learn students can strengthen their computational thinking and apply those skills in app design.
Great Opportunities — Even Without MAD-learn
Scratch Olympiad – Elementary–High School
A celebration of creativity and coding, where students design and share projects using Scratch. It’s fun, visual, and highly engaging! Students create projects using Scratch, a beginner-friendly coding platform. It’s a great way for younger students to learn programming concepts visually.
CyberPatriot – Middle & High School
Teams defend virtual networks and systems in a national cybersecurity competition — a thrilling introduction to IT and digital defense. Focuses on cybersecurity and IT systems defense, done through an online platform — fantastic for students exploring computer networking and IT.
International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) – Middle & High School
One of the world’s most prestigious programming contests — focused on algorithmic problem-solving in C++. Great for advanced coders, though not MAD-learn-based.
Junior Solar Sprint – Grades 5–8
A hands-on engineering project where students design and race solar-powered vehicles using kits. Perfect for teamwork, creativity, and renewable energy learning.
TechOlympics – High School (Regional: Cincinnati)
A tech-focused event where students can showcase web design, IT, and networking skills — wonderful for exploring broader tech pathways.
Doodle 4 Google – K–12
A beloved art competition where students design a new Google logo. Entries are submitted on paper — perfect for artistic expression and creativity!
Why These Competitions Matter
No matter the focus area — app development, robotics, cybersecurity, or art — competitions like these help students:
✅ Apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
✅ Build confidence, leadership, and presentation skills.
✅ Gain recognition and even scholarships!
✅ Discover new passions within STEM and creative technology.
Every competition is a chance to help students see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers — skills that MAD-learn proudly supports and celebrates.
Whether your students are ready to present a MAD-learn app or dive into a different branch of STEM, there’s a competition waiting for them.
Take the Next Step
Encourage your students to enter one (or more!) of these amazing opportunities and turn their ideas into award-winning innovations.
Together, we can help students dream bigger, code smarter, and create solutions that change the world — one app at a time.