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The Competition

Competition Date — September 19, 2026
2 Tracks Innovation & AI
2 Paths Solo & Team
4 Divisions Grades 3 – 12
Program Architecture Competition Structure
Select your track, choose your path, then register in the division that matches your grade. Every student competes under the same transparent rubric — rigorously evaluated, publicly recognized, and connected to transformative opportunities.
Newton Awards 2026 COMPETITION Innovation Track SCIENCE · ENGINEERING · MATH · ENVIRONMENT AI Track ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE · MACHINE LEARNING · DATA SOLO Individual Entry TEAM 2–5 Members SOLO Individual Entry TEAM 2–5 Members INNOVATION TRACK DIVISIONS AI TRACK DIVISIONS Junior Explorers Grades 3–5 DIV I Rising Minds Grades 6–8 DIV II Innovators Grades 9–10 DIV III Scholars Grades 11–12 DIV IV Junior Explorers Grades 3–5 DIV I Rising Minds Grades 6–8 DIV II Innovators Grades 9–10 DIV III Scholars Grades 11–12 DIV IV

Division Details

All Four Divisions

Every division competes under the same rubric — age-calibrated, transparent, and applied consistently.

Division I
01
Junior Explorers
Grades 3 – 5

Foundational inquiry, curiosity-driven projects, early-stage scientific thinking, and guided experimentation.

Division II
02
Rising Minds
Grades 6 – 8

Structured research, hypothesis-driven experimentation, engineering prototypes, and emerging computational thinking.

Division III
03
Innovators
Grades 9 – 10

Advanced scientific methodology, applied engineering design, real-world problem solving, and early research formalization.

Division IV
04
Scholars
Grades 11 – 12

Pre-collegiate research depth, publication-level rigor, advanced coding/AI systems, and entrepreneurial or translational innovation.

Evaluation Framework

Judges Rubric

A transparent rubric used consistently across all divisions and tracks. Every student competes knowing exactly how their work will be evaluated.

Scientific / Technical Merit 30%
Rigor of methodology, validity of data, soundness of conclusions
Originality & Innovation 25%
Novelty of the approach; contribution to existing knowledge
Clarity of Communication 20%
Quality of written paper, poster, and oral presentation
Real-World Impact 15%
Plausibility and significance of potential applications
Responsible Development 10%
Ethical considerations, safety, and societal implications
↑ Weighted higher in AI Track

How Scoring Works

Each criterion is scored 1–10 by at least three independent judges. Scores are normalized, averaged, and weighted before final ranking within each division.

1 Independent Scoring
Each judge scores without consulting others — fully independent evaluation
2 Outlier Review
Scores more than 2 points from the median are flagged and reviewed
3 Weighted Average
Final scores are weighted and averaged per rubric percentages above
4 Division Ranking
Finalists ranked within their grade division — not across all divisions

September 19, 2026

Competition Day Timeline

A minute-by-minute guide to what to expect on competition day.

Morning Schedule
7:30 AM
Registration & Check-In

Participants check in, collect badges, and proceed to assigned setup areas.

8:00 AM
Project Setup

One hour for competitors to set up displays, equipment, and materials.

9:00 AM
Opening Ceremony

Welcome address from the Executive Director and keynote from a Newton Alumni.

9:45 AM
Judging Begins — Round 1

Judges rotate through assigned projects for initial evaluation and Q&A.

12:00 PM
Lunch Break

Catered lunch for all competitors, families, and judges. Networking encouraged.

Afternoon Schedule
1:00 PM
Judging Continues — Round 2

Second rotation for additional judge evaluation and senior judge review.

3:00 PM
Public Exhibition

Competition floor opens to invited guests, families, and press for one hour.

4:00 PM
Judges Deliberate

Competitors may rest, network, or attend optional career panel sessions.

5:30 PM
Awards Ceremony — Reception & Celebration

Division awards, special sponsor awards, and Grand Prize announcement.
All participants, families, and sponsors join for closing reception.