New: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY in the public judging April 7 – 15, 2016. Three high school finalists will receive a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to present at the USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 16-17 and up to $1,500 in cash prizes.

Sponsors: National Science Foundation, National Nanotechnology Initiative

Who: U.S. high school and home-educated students

Deadline: Feb. 2, 2016

Pow! Kaboom! Building on the surging popularity of Batman, Captain America, and other movie superheroes, the National Science Foundation and National Nanotechnology Initiative have launched a new competition to encourage students to pursue science and engineering.

Generation Nano: Small Science, Superheroes invites individual U.S. high school or home-educated students to submit an original idea for a superhero who uses unique nanotechnology-inspired “gear,” such as a vehicle, costume, or weapon. Shoelaces that decode secret radio waves…  nanotechnology-infused blood cells that supercharge adrenaline… clothing that can change color to camouflage its wearer… No idea is too fanciful!

Finalists can compete for cash prizes and have an opportunity to present their entries at the 2016 USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.

Competition details:

• Students must submit a written entry explaining their superhero and nanotechnology-driven gear, along with a one-page comic or 90-second video.
• Cash prizes are $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.
• Finalists will showcase their comic or video at the 2016 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. Final-round judging will take place at the festival.
• Submissions are due by midnight on Feb. 2, 2016.

Through nanotechnology applications like targeted drugs, self-assembled nanodevices, molecular motors and other innovations, students never have endure a radioactive spider bite to realize their full potential.

Visit the Generation Nano competition website for full eligibility criteria, entry guidelines, timeline, and prize information.

Filed under: Competitions and Contests, Grades 9-12, K-12 Outreach Programs

Tags: Batman, Competitions for Students, Contest, Grades 9-12, high school, Nanotechnology, NSF, Spiderman, STEM education, superheroes