Competitions

What is Competitions Program?

Develop your own research question, design original experiments, and gain hands-on experience, with opportunities to work in research training labs.
Receive personalized academic writing guidance from expert mentors and full support for publication.

Tentative Timeline

Topic Selection and Research

This initial phase lays the groundwork for a successful research experience. In Week 1, each student is paired with a subject-matter mentor who helps align their interests, strengths, and long-term goals with a relevant and meaningful research topic. Mentors guide students through a structured brainstorming session and introduce them to foundational reading materials in their area of interest.

During Weeks 2 to 4, students explore the topic in greater depth, reviewing existing literature, identifying knowledge gaps, and discussing real-world applications. They learn to evaluate sources, use academic databases, and critically analyze prior work. The goal is to develop a focused and researchable question or hypothesis that is both original and feasible within the program's timeframe. By the end of Week 4, students submit a Research Proposal which outlines their topic, objective, scope, and initial reference list.

Research Paper Development

With a clear question in hand, students move into the writing phase, supported by structured guidance from their mentors. In Weeks 5 and 6, students draft their introduction and literature review, learning to synthesize multiple sources and establish the context for their study. Mentors provide feedback on writing style, academic tone, and logical flow.

Weeks 7 and 8 focus on methodology and analysis. Depending on the nature of the research—whether theoretical, experimental, or survey-based—students learn how to construct arguments, design experiments, collect data, or build models. For empirical work, students are also introduced to basic tools for data analysis and visualization.

By Week 9, students start compiling their full draft, incorporating results and discussing their implications. Mentors assist in refining arguments, citing sources correctly, and maintaining academic integrity throughout.

Finalization, Submission, and Beyond

The final stretch of the program is dedicated to polishing the paper for submission. In Week 10, students focus on revisions, peer reviews, and feedback integration. They work on improving clarity, structure, formatting, and visual elements like charts or tables. Week 11 is typically used for proofreading, reference checks, and preparing the final manuscript.

In Week 12, students submit their completed research paper to a specific publication journal as decided by the mentor based on suitability and time of submission.

What's Included

Project Planning

We help students choose innovative, feasible topics and structure their research plans. They guide experiment design, timelines, and ensure alignment with competition standards. Their support builds a strong foundation from ideation to execution.

Communication and Documentation

We train students to conduct effective literature reviews and write clear, credible research papers. They assist in creating abstracts, reports, and visual aids that convey ideas with impact. This ensures the science is both solid and well-documented.

Presentation Training

We prepare students to present confidently through mock sessions and feedback. They coach on storytelling, body language, and handling judges’ questions effectively. The goal is to make the project memorable and persuasive.

Navigating Success Stories

Papers Submitted
0 +
Publication Success
0 %

Subjects

What Can You Research?

  • Biology

    A published study in Pre‑Med Majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering) showcases real scientific rigor and genuine research involvement.

  • Physics

    Top schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale look favorably on students who’ve done theoretical modeling, astrophysics simulations, or experimental work (even small-scale lab setups).

  • Chemistry

    Ivy League chemistry programs value students who can write research papers, even review-style ones, in organic, analytical, or medicinal chemistry with correct citation and chemical analysis.

  • Mathematics

    Math research, such as original problem-solving, proof development, or even statistical modeling, is a standout, particularly for students aiming for pure math, applied math, or data science.

  • Economics and Finance

    Students are expected to analyze real or simulated economic data that includes hypothesis formation, data visualization, interpretation, and economic reasoning.

  • Psychology and Cognitive Science

    Psychology is a top and competitive major at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Penn. These departments expect undergraduates to design experiments, analyze behavior, and contribute to publishable findings.

  • Environmental Science and Ecology

    Environmental engineering and ecology are growing fields at Dartmouth and other Ivies. These programs value hands-on fieldwork, data analysis, and contributions to publishable environmental research.

  • Computer Science and Computational Biology

    Student-led coding or data science research leading to publications is highly preferred.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Design original research, gain hands‑on experience, and craft a competitive paper under expert mentorship. Develop a standout project that shines at science fairs and competitions, with full guidance through every stage—from ideation to final submission.
The Competitions Program is an intensive, structured research experience where students identify a research question, conduct original experiments or analyses, write a polished paper, and prepare their work for science fairs, competitions, and academic publication.
High school and undergraduate students interested in STEM research and competitions. No prior research experience is required—we help you build all the skills you need.
The program is 12 weeks long, with a carefully designed schedule: – Weeks 1–4: Topic Selection and Proposal Development – Weeks 5–8: Research and Paper Drafting – Weeks 9–12: Review, Revision, and Final Submission
You can explore a wide range of topics across STEM disciplines like Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics & Finance, Psychology & Cognitive Science, Environmental Science & Ecology, and Computer Science & Computational Biology.
Students receive one-on-one mentorship throughout, including help with research design, experiment setup or data collection, literature reviews, writing, formatting, and practicing presentations for competitions.
Yes! In addition to research guidance, we help you prepare your presentation with mock sessions, feedback on slides or posters, public speaking practice, and strategies for answering judges’ questions.
Not necessarily. Depending on the project, we support you with hands-on guidance and can introduce you to tools for data analysis and visualization. Research that requires specialized equipment is conducted under supervision in research training labs.

Your final project will be tailored to suitable national and international STEM competitions as well as academic journals. Our mentors help you identify the most appropriate venues for showcasing your work.

By the end of the program, you’ll have a polished research paper and presentation ready for submission. Students gain research experience, academic writing practice, and often achieve recognition in STEM competitions or publication venues.
You can apply online by submitting the interest form. Once accepted, we’ll match you with a mentor to personalize your research plan and set you up for success!

Interested to Learn More?

Book a Complimentary Discovery Call with Experts.

At SciCommCentral, we believe that science should be accessible and exciting for everyone, regardless of their background or expertise.

Resources

Privacy Policy

© 2025 Copyright