Science competitions offer students opportunities to showcase innovation, win scholarships, and connect with mentors. Many Kenyan students don’t know about these opportunities that could change their futures.
Kenya Science and Engineering Fair (KESF)
KESF is Kenya’s premier science competition for high school students. Regional competitions happen March-April annually. National finals occur in May or June. Projects span biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and environmental science. Prizes include scholarships, laptops, and trips to international fairs. Winners represent Kenya at Intel ISEF in the United States.
How to Enter KESF
Register through your school with teacher supervision. Choose a research question that interests you genuinely. Conduct original experiments with documented results. Create a display board following official guidelines. Prepare to present and answer judge questions. Entry is free through participating schools.
Mathematics Competitions
Kenya Mathematical Olympiad runs annually for high schools. Dates typically in February and March. African Mathematical Union competition for top performers. Registration through mathematics teachers. Focus on problem-solving, not just memorization. Practice using past papers available online.
Robotics Competitions
FIRST Global Challenge accepts one Kenyan team annually. Build robots to complete specific challenges. Schools can form robotics clubs to participate. World Robot Olympiad Kenya chapter hosts regional competitions. Registration fees vary but sponsorships are available. Teams need basic programming and engineering skills.
NASA Space Apps Challenge
Annual global hackathon held simultaneously worldwide in October. Kenyan hub usually in Nairobi, sometimes Mombasa. Open to all ages, not just students. Teams solve real problems using NASA data. Projects span software, hardware, design, and data visualization. Completely free to participate with great networking.
Google Code Challenge
Targets secondary school students interested in programming. Usually happens September-October. Teaches coding fundamentals while competing. Winners get certificates and potential mentorship. Registration opens months before through Google’s website.
Environmental Competitions
Kenya Wildlife Service runs conservation innovation challenges. Safaricom’s innovation challenges include environmental categories. United Nations Environmental Programme hosts youth competitions. Focus on practical solutions to local environmental issues. Prizes often include funding to implement your idea.
Preparing to Win
Start early—rushed projects rarely win. Document everything with photos and notes. Focus on solving real problems in your community. Practice explaining your project simply. Anticipate questions judges might ask. Make your display board clear and visually appealing.
Benefits Beyond Prizes
University scholarship opportunities from impressed judges. Mentorship from scientists and engineers. Confidence in public speaking and presentation. Understanding of scientific method and research. Network with other brilliant students. Portfolio pieces for university applications.
Getting Support
Talk to science teachers about forming a team. Reach out to local universities for mentor connections. Contact past winners for advice. Use social media groups for STEM students in Kenya. Some NGOs provide materials for students with promising projects.
Common Mistakes
Choosing overly ambitious projects you can’t complete. Copying ideas from internet without original research. Poor documentation of your process. Complicated presentations that confuse judges. Not testing your project multiple times. Ignoring presentation skills—they matter as much as the project.
Science competitions open doors for students willing to invest time in solving problems and presenting their solutions effectively.