STEMxplore
by STEMonsters Education Pvt. Ltd
Rs 30,000 Prize Pool
1,000 participants
STEMonsters Education's annual National Science Day symposium: coding, talk, and innovation contests for grades 4-12, ending at IISc Bangalore.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 to 4
Duration
About 11 weeks from registration to the grand finale (December 25 to March 15), including a 72-hour coding window and a 2-day symposium
Eligibility
Open to students in grades 4 to 12 across India. Grades 4-6 enter the Junior Hackathon coding challenge; grades 7-12 choose between the Let's Talk STEM talk competition and the Story Behind My Tech innovation challenge (individual or team of up to 4). Registration is nationwide and free.
- Grade level
- Grade 4 to 12
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Rs 30,000 Prize Pool
Total prize pool of Rs 30,000 distributed as cash rewards and scholarships across the Junior Hackathon, Let's Talk STEM, and Story Behind My Tech contest tracks, as shown on the official event stats.
Recognition
National Grand Finale at IISc
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 25 Dec 2025
- Registration closed
- 1 Mar 2026
- Competition
- 8 Mar 2026 to 15 Mar 2026
- Results
- 15 Mar 2026
How to apply
- 1Register through the official STEMxplore portal with student and school details
- 2Receive a submission guide and unique ID by email for the selected contest track
- 3Submit the track entry (coding project, talk video, or innovation project) before the deadline
- 4Shortlisted finalists receive a formal invitation to present live
- 5Finalists travel to the IISc Bangalore grand finale for judging and prize distribution
Rules and guidelines
- Story Behind My Tech may be entered individually or as a group of up to 4 students
- Every member of a Story Behind My Tech group must register separately
- Junior Hackathon entrants must attend the live Sustainability IQ Quiz on the announced date
- Junior Hackathon coding submissions must be completed within 72 hours of the challenge going live
- Let's Talk STEM is a single 3-minute video submission; shortlisted students present live at the finale
- Finalists across all tracks must be available for the grand finale weekend at IISc Bangalore
Technology requirements
- Computer or laptop with internet access for online rounds
- Scratch account for the Junior Hackathon coding challenge
- Video recording capability for the Let's Talk STEM submission
About this opportunity
STEMxplore is an annual National Science Day symposium run by STEMonsters Education, combining three STEM contest tracks with a grand finale at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore for students in grades 4 to 12 across India.
Grades 4 to 6 compete in the Junior Hackathon, a Scratch coding challenge on the theme of water scarcity and circular water management. Grades 7 to 12 choose between Let's Talk STEM, a three-minute talk competition, and Story Behind My Tech, an engineering and innovation challenge that can be attempted individually or in groups of up to four students.
The event carries a total prize pool of Rs 30,000 across the three tracks, along with feedback from an expert judge and mentor panel drawn from organizations including NSRCEL, GE Aerospace Research, and Blue Lotus Inc. Finalists travel to IISc Bangalore for the grand finale, presentations, and prize distribution.
Participation is free across all tracks. The symposium opens with an online day of contests and an expert panel discussion for parents and educators, and concludes with in-person finals and the award ceremony at IISc Bangalore.
Rounds and format
Junior Hackathon (Grades 4-6): Round 1, attend the live Sustainability IQ Quiz; Round 2, receive submission details for the coding hackathon; Round 3, build and submit a Scratch coding solution within 72 hours. Let's Talk STEM (Grades 7-12): Round 1, upload a 3-minute talk video on the assigned topic; Round 2, shortlisting by the expert judge panel; Round 3, present the 3-minute talk live at the grand finale. Story Behind My Tech (Grades 7-12): Round 1, submit the project per emailed guidelines; Round 2, judging by the expert panel; Round 3, shortlisted teams showcase their project live in front of the audience and judges.
How entries are judged
Each track is judged qualitatively by the named expert panel: Junior Hackathon entries are assessed on quiz performance and the functioning of the submitted Scratch solution; Let's Talk STEM entries are assessed on clarity and depth of communicating the assigned STEM topic within 3 minutes; Story Behind My Tech entries are assessed on the engineering depth, originality, and research behind the submitted project. A specific numeric scoring rubric is not published.
Selection process
Junior Hackathon: advancement from the live Sustainability IQ Quiz to the 72-hour Scratch coding submission. Let's Talk STEM: video submissions shortlisted by the judge panel before live finals. Story Behind My Tech: projects judged by the expert panel, with shortlisted teams presenting live at the grand finale.
How to prepare
- https://youtu.be/z0ehRXQmBdk
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
Frequently asked questions
How can students effectively manage competitive pressure during STEMxplore?
Students can manage competitive pressure by focusing on personal growth and learning rather than solely on winning. Encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement, celebrating small achievements, and utilizing available mentorship resources can significantly reduce stress and enhance performance.
What are the common preparation mistakes students should avoid in a competition like STEMxplore?
Common mistakes include last-minute cramming, neglecting to understand the judging criteria, and not practicing presentation skills. Students should prioritize consistent preparation, thoroughly review guidelines, and rehearse their presentations to build confidence and clarity.
How do the different contest tracks contribute to a student's overall STEM skill development?
Each track targets distinct STEM skills: the Junior Hackathon develops computational thinking and coding, Let's Talk STEM enhances public speaking and scientific communication, and Story Behind My Tech fosters engineering design and innovation. Participation in any track provides valuable hands-on experience.
What factors are considered for ranking and prize distribution in STEMxplore?
Ranking is based on qualitative assessment by an expert panel. For the Junior Hackathon, quiz performance and Scratch solution functionality are key. Let's Talk STEM evaluates clarity and depth of communication. Story Behind My Tech assesses engineering depth, originality, and research behind the project.
Are there opportunities for students to receive feedback on their projects and presentations?
Yes, finalists at the grand finale receive direct feedback and mentorship from the expert judge panel. This interaction is a significant benefit, providing valuable insights for future projects and academic pursuits.
What support is available for students facing technical issues during the online rounds?
Dedicated technical support will be available during all online event hours. Participants can access assistance through a designated helpline number or live chat feature, details of which will be provided upon registration.
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