Your idea belongs on the stage
STEMpact is built for curious middle schoolers — beginners welcome. You don't need to be an expert. You just need an idea worth sharing.
You don't need years of STEM experience to participate. Curiosity counts more than expertise.
Original thinking and effort matter more than expensive materials or perfect results.
Pick a topic you actually care about — your project will be stronger and more fun to build.
Simple rules, big freedom
Pick something you care about
Choose a topic, problem, or idea that genuinely interests you — it makes the whole process more fun.
Keep it original
Your project should be your own work. Inspiration is great — copying isn't.
Be ready to present
You'll explain your project to judges, families, and other students. Practice makes it easy.
Effort & creativity matter most
You don't need fancy equipment or a perfect outcome. Judges look at thinking, not budget.
How you display your project
You're free to present your project however best fits your idea — a classic poster, trifold board, physical model, prototype, laptop demo, slideshow, or any creative combination. Pick whatever helps tell your story.
Need something extra like a TV, large monitor, or special display setup? Reach out to us directly before the event so we can plan ahead — email stempactfair@gmail.com.
Need inspiration? Start here.
These are just starting points — feel free to remix, combine, or invent something completely your own.
Robotics prototypes
Build a small robot, mechanical arm, or smart device that solves a tiny everyday problem.
Coding projects & apps
A website, simple game, mobile app, AI experiment, or creative animation you wrote yourself.
Environmental investigations
Test local water, study a school's recycling, or design a way to reduce waste at home.
Engineering solutions
Design a bridge, container, tool, or device that solves a real-world challenge.
Math & data projects
Analyze a sports stat, model a trend, or visualize a dataset that tells a story.
Health & science experiments
Investigate sleep, nutrition, plant growth, or a biology question with a simple experiment.
Community problem-solving
Identify a need in your school or neighborhood and design a thoughtful solution for it.
Where to find inspiration
Explore Science Buddies, NASA STEM, Khan Academy, Code.org, Scratch, and TED-Ed for ideas across every category.
Project planning tips
Start with a clear question, break it into small steps, set mini-deadlines, and keep a simple journal of progress and photos.
Tips for getting started
- Start small — a clear, well-explained project beats a complicated, messy one.
- Write down your question or goal first, then plan how to explore it.
- Keep notes or photos as you go — they'll help with your presentation.
- Ask a teacher or family member to listen to your explanation before the event.
- It's okay if your results surprise you — explaining what happened is part of the science.
Team vs. individual projects
STEMpact welcomes both formats — neither is "better." Choose whichever feels right for your idea.
Full ownership of your idea, your pace, your presentation.
Collaborate, share skills, and build something bigger together.