The CSO Program is for students in 6th – 12th grade who demonstrate an interest in science, technology and/or innovation and have a desire to impact their community.

• The program empowers students to take an active role in STEM conversations within their schools and communities.

• It helps students develop essential leadership and communication skills that prepare them for future success.

• Students gain valuable exposure by connecting with STEM professionals, civic leaders, and industry partners.

• Participation enhances the overall STEM culture in schools and increases awareness of STEM careers.

Contact: alyssa.moore@iu1.org or emily.hughes@iu1.org 

This exciting, single-day event will replace the current Governor’s STEM Competition, making it more accessible and inclusive for all learners. The redesigned format invites students in three grade bands; 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12, to collaborate, innovate, and problem-solve in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Teams will then embark on their design journey, imagining, creating, and prototyping solutions within the day. Whether their solution is a digital product, physical prototype, or conceptual model, students will have the freedom to think big, collaborate, and showcase their creativity. Challenge is announced on Oct. 14, 2025 for all participating teams.

No advance preparation is needed from coaches or students. Everything happens during the event, making it an easy and accessible opportunity for schools to engage students in innovation and teamwork.

• DATE: October 14, 2025

• LOCATION: Virtual

• REGISTRATION: opening soon...

Teams of students can compete in the Powering Pittsburgh Competition for a Pittsburgh Steelers Prizes and a monetary donation to your school. Students in 9th - 12th grade in Allegheny, Beaver, and Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties are eligible to participate. 

At the final competition at Acrisure Stadium, the winning team will be awarded $3,000 for their school’s STEM programming along with the ability to attend a December Steelers game!

• PROJECT DUE DATE : October 20, 2025

  • IU1 Regional Competition is held virtually.

  • Teams will be notified of their placement by Friday, October 24, 2025

  • Final Competition will be held in person at Acrisure Stadium on November 20, 2025. 

24 Math is a unique mathematics teaching tool designed to sharpen students’ mental math, number sense, critical thinking, problem-solving, and pattern sensing. Offered in a tournament-style competition, students compete using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division to develop solutions to problems that equal 24. This fast, fun, exciting math game is designed for students in Grades 4-5.

• DATE: October 24, 2025

• LOCATION: PennWest California, Convocation Center South Wing

• REGISTRATION: opening soon...

Join us for the PA Media and Design Regional Competition at virtual award ceremony on March 4, 2026. The PA Media and Design Competition, formerly the PA Computer Fair, is an annual event that highlights Pennsylvania students’ application skills, creativity and knowledge. Students are able to unleash their creativity, learn how to convey information more dynamically, and enhance the learning process. 

For more information on the competition, categories, go to www.mediadesigncompetition.org. 

• PROJECTS DUE March 4, 2026

• LOCATION: Virtual

• REGISTRATION Coming soon...

The Unified Robotics Challenge with VEX is a competition for teams of students in grades 4-8 where they compplete a challenge using the VEX IQ Robotics Kits. Teams are to be comprised equally of neurotypical and neurodiverse students, in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8  promoting an environment where all learners contribute, problem-solve, and succeed together.

Teams will have from November 1, 2025 to March 11, 2026 to test their skills and master the challenge. Two teams per school are able to participate with a max of eight students per team. 

• DATE: March 11, 2026

• LOCATION: PennWest California, Convocation Center South Wing

• REGISTRATION: opens on November 1, 2025

The STEM Design Challenge is a competition for students in grades 4-8 where they build a project out of K’Nex pieces. Teams in grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 will only be able to use only K’Nex pieces. 

Teams will have from November 1, 2025 to March 18, 2026 to build their projects. Two teams per school are able to participate with a max of four students per team. 

• DATE: March 18, 2026

• LOCATION: PennWest California, Convocation Center South Wing

• REGISTRATION: opens on November 1, 2025

Technovation Girls, a global organization that supports young women (ages 8-18) in computer science. With the support of volunteer mentors and parents, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems, then participate in regional, national, and global “pitch” competitions annually to share their work. 

More information on the competition coming soon. 

• DATE: March 27, 2026

• LOCATION: Virtual

• REGISTRATION: coming soon...

Middle School and High School students are invited to join IU1 in partnership with Range Resources for the 2026 Range Resources STEM Challenge held in April 15, 2026, at Range Resources Southpointe (3000 Town Center Blvd, Canonsburg, PA 15317).  Lunch will be provided. 

The Range Resources STEM Challenge is a competition for students in grades 5-8 and 9-12 where they build a project out of the suggested materials. Each school is limited to a maximum of two teams per school per grade level due to space (openings may become available for more teams after initial registration).  Each grade level will be tasked with specific challenge (see info above). 

The competition will be held at Range Resources in Spouthpointe. There is a team limit at the current moment, no more than two teams per grade level (5th-8th and 9th-12th) per school. If you have more than two teams, please complete the form again until you have registered all teams.

Teams will have until April 15, 2026, to design and build their projects. 

Presentations due by April 1, 2026, prior to the competition date. 

Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) seeks to bring together high school student leaders from the IU1 Region to discuss leadership topics, school-related issues, post-secondary planning, and service learning. Student Forum provided students with a collaborative learning environment for issues, ideas, opportunities, questions, and concerns of the students in our individual districts. 

For more information go to https://sites.google.com/iu1.org/iu1studentforum