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K12

Innovation Challenge

$0.00

Sign up for K12’s Innovation Challenge for free by 5 PM (ET) on February 9, 2026 – Unleash your ideas, solve real problems, and win big!

Is your child imaginative, curious, and passionate about making a difference? The K12 Innovation Challenge is a nationwide competition that celebrates creativity, ingenuity, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you’re solving classroom challenges, student study hacks, or gamifying learning, we want to hear from you!

Who can enter? Students in grades 6–12 from any U.S. school are welcome to participate. Kids can work individually or in teams of up to three, and they’ll compete in grade-level groups for awards and recognition.

It’s more than a contest – it’s an experience that helps students build critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills while discovering the power of their own ideas.

K12 Innovation Challenge – Inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers

The K12 Innovation Challenge nurtures future leaders by showing kids that their ideas can make a difference. It’s a chance to celebrate curiosity, resilience, and imagination – and to remind students that they’re capable of creating change in the world around them.

Details
  • Subject
    Elective
  • Course Level
    Middle School, High School

How to Participate and Register

Add the Innovation Challenge to your cart, check out, and wait for your confirmation email. Follow the link in your email to our website, where you can sign up for the upcoming challenge and review the rules.

Sign up for free by 5 PM (ET) on February 9, 2026!

Register (alone or with friends!) - Your child can go it alone or team up with one or two friends. Each team needs a registered adult instructor - this can be a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult. Instructors get access to training resources and weekly support sessions to help students succeed.

Signed Up – Now what?

Step 1. Film Your Idea – Create a 30-second to 2-minute (vertical) video pitching your innovative idea in one of three categories:

  • Tomorrow’s Classroom: Reimagine what learning could look like in the future.
  • Student Life Hacks: Create a clever solution that makes your day-to-day school life easier, more enjoyable, or more supportive.
  • Gamify it! Create an idea or design for a game, app, or interactive experience that makes learning more fun, engaging, or effective.

Step 2. Submit Your Entry - In 6–8 sentences, explain your idea and include it with your video entry on the registration form.  Want to enter more than one category? Just complete a separate registration for each entry.

Step 3. Judging Rounds

Round 1: Top 30 entries selected (5 per category per grade band).

Round 2: Virtual presentations for the top 30 semi-finalist teams to a panel of judges.

Round 3: In-person finals—12 teams compete for national titles.

  • The top 12 finalist teams or individuals will receive a complimentary hotel stay for each team member (plus one chaperone) at the in-person competition. Finalists will be responsible for transportation costs to and from the event.
  • Finalists will also receive mentorship and internship opportunities provided by Tallo.

Prizes

National Champions: $500 per team member in each grade band (6-8 and 9-12). That’s up to $1,500 per team!

One People’s Choice Winner: $150 per team member. That’s up to $450 for a team of three!

K12 logo in blue on a white background

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K12 Extracurriculars

Learning extends beyond the classroom with K12 Extracurriculars. Learners can connect, grow, and showcase their diverse skills through exciting activities with other students across the country, including competitions, enrichment programs, and virtual field trips.

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