6 Water Conservation Competitions for Middle School Students
Posted September 9, 2025 by Miranda Marshall
Water is one of our most abundant resources… but what about when it comes to pollution, droughts, flooding, and other contamination and climate change-related crises? Our planet needs the help of young conservationists to develop the solutions for tomorrow that will ensure people around the world have safe places to live and clean water to drink.
For middle school students passionate about water conservation, sustainability, and environmental science, we’ve put together a list of several academic competitions that offer unique platforms to explore these issues through mathematics, research, creative expression, and innovation.
The Hardest Math Problem Contest brings mathematical rigor to real-world challenges. This year’s theme centers on water conservation, featuring problems related to rain gardening, rain barrels, and runoff reduction. Students tackle multi-step word problems that mirror realistic, relatable water conservation efforts.
Age Range: Grades 5-8
Open: To students residing in the United States or its territories
Fees: FREE
Prizes: Grand prize winners each receive $3,000 toward a 529 college savings plan and a laptop computer. Winning teacher coaches receive a $300 gift card and up to a $200 reimbursement for a classroom pizza party.
Deadline: Registration closes December 7, 2025
Future Problem Solving’s 2025 World Solutions Challenge addresses one of the most visible consequences of climate change: sea-level rise. This competition challenges middle school teams (2-4 students) to develop comprehensive solutions for communities facing the effects of rising ocean levels, combining scientific research with problem-solving skill development.
Age Range: Grades 5-8
Open: Internationally
Fees: $100, includes learning resources and professional evaluation
Prizes: Recognition awards and certificates for winning solutions
Deadline: Registration closes September 12, 2025
A national middle school STEM competition that reaches 65,000+ students annually and provides an excellent platform for water-related research projects. Students can submit any science project of their choosing, but the competition does provide an excellent platform for water-related research projects, such as water filtration systems, quality testing, conservation technologies, or aquatic ecosystem research.
Age Range: Grades 6-8
Open: To students residing in the United States or its territories
Fees: No direct fees, but students must first compete at affiliated local science fairs
Prizes: Prizes vary, but there are $100,000 in awards available, spread across a variety of different types of recognition
Deadline: 2025/26 fairs will be updated in October
The Earth Prize recognizes students and schools with the best solutions to accelerate positive environmental change, making it an ideal platform for water conservation innovations. As the world’s largest environmental competition for young people, it empowers students to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our planet through meaningful research and solution development.
Age Range: Students between the ages of 13-19
Fees: FREE
Prizes: $100,000 total in prizes
Deadline: Registration closes January 31, 2026
Competition Type: Environmental sustainability project requiring innovative solutions and implementation plans
River of Words empowers students to create poetry and art specifically focused on watersheds, rivers, and water conservation in their local communities. This unique competition connects students directly to their local water systems while encouraging artistic expression and developing communication skills essential for environmental advocacy.
Age Range: K-12 students (including middle school grades)
Open: Internationally
Fees: No entry fees
Prizes: Recognition awards and publication opportunities
Deadline: Information on the 2026 contest coming this fall
While the 2025 BowSeat Ocean Awareness Contest has concluded, this international competition deserves mention for future participation. The contest engages teens in ocean conservation through diverse creative mediums, making complex marine environmental issues accessible through art, writing, film, and music.
Age Range: Students between the ages of 11-18
Open: Internationally
Fees: FREE
Prizes: Scholarship awards up to $1,000
Deadline: 2025 deadline has passed; watch for 2026 announcement
These competitions offer diverse pathways for middle school students to engage with water conservation challenges while developing academic skills across mathematics, science, creative arts, and critical thinking.
The water challenges facing our planet are complex and urgent, but they also present incredible opportunities for young minds to make meaningful contributions. By participating in these competitions, students don’t just learn about water conservation—they become active participants in developing the solutions our world desperately needs. Get started this fall with your student or class this fall!
