Academic competitions can be an excellent way to engage high achievers and challenge them outside of the classroom. When done correctly, competitions can motivate and inspire students to achieve their academic goals while also providing them with a sense of accomplishment.
However, crafting academic competitions that are engaging and effective can be challenging. In this article, we will provide you with some tips on how to create engaging academic competitions that high achievers will love.
Choose Topics that Students are Interested In
One of the most important things to keep in mind when creating academic competitions is to choose topics that students are interested in. By doing this, you can capture their attention and make the competition more engaging.
Consider surveying your students to see what topics interest them the most. This could include topics related to STEM, current events, or even pop culture.
Design the Competition to Be Challenging but Achievable
When designing academic competitions, it’s important to strike a balance between being challenging and achievable. If the competition is too difficult, students may feel discouraged and lose interest.
On the other hand, if the competition is too easy, students may lose interest because they do not feel challenged. Tailor the competition to the age and academic level of the participants.
Provide Incentives for Participation and Success
Incentives can be a powerful motivator for students to participate in academic competitions and strive for success. Consider offering prizes or awards to students who perform well in the competition. This can help increase interest and participation in the competition.
Additionally, consider offering awards for effort and participation to ensure that all students who take part in the competition are rewarded in some way for their efforts. This can further help build a sense of community and camaraderie among the participants.
Include a Variety of Competition Formats
Variety can help make academic competitions more engaging and fun for high achievers. Consider including a variety of competition formats, such as written exams, group projects, and oral presentations. This can help cater to different learning preferences and make the competition more inclusive.
Additionally, consider hosting competitions in different learning formats, such as virtual or online-based events. This can help make the academic competition more accessible and engaging for students from a variety of backgrounds.
Leverage Established Academic Competitions
One way to create engaging academic competitions for high achievers is by leveraging established competitions like ICAS. ICAS has a long-standing reputation for providing challenging and prestigious academic assessments across various subjects.
By using established academic competitions as benchmarks, organisers can provide competitions that are rigorous, intellectually stimulating, and aligned with international standards. These competitions not only foster healthy competition among students but also encourage them to push their boundaries and excel in their respective fields.
In Summary
Crafting engaging academic competitions for high achievers requires careful planning and consideration. However, by choosing interesting topics, challenging but achievable formats, incentivising participation, including variety in competitions and leveraging established competitions, you can provide academic competitions that are both effective and enjoyable for high achievers.
