North Alabama STEM Essay Contest

North Alabama SWE created the North Alabama STEM Essay Contest in 2023 to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and math within our community.

Essay Contest Details

Sixth grade students across north Alabama are invited to participate in the North Alabama STEM Essay Contest. The goal of the contest is to foster an interest in STEM in middle school students. Since founding the contest, we’ve received 100 essays and awarded prizes and certificates to 15 students and two schools. Information about previous award recipients can be found at NALSWE Blog – Outreach.

2026 Essay Contest

Open Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 16, 2026

This year’s contest is sponsored by Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.

Essay Subject

Imagine that you have been hired at an automotive manufacturing plant as a 6th grade engineering intern.
You and your team members are each asked to come up with a new feature to add to new car models. Your guidelines are that the feature should enhance the aesthetics, convenience, or safety of the vehicle. The feature should not be something that is already standard in vehicles, and the feature should be integrated into the vehicle.
Describe your proposed feature as if you are presenting to your fellow engineering interns. Your essay should use an informative tone. Your proposal should answer the questions below:
● How would the feature work?
● How does the feature integrate into the car?
● What technology exists today that could help you develop the feature?
● How would the feature affect you personally?

This Year’s Prizes

Individual Awards

1st Place: $150 cash prize, STEM kit, and STEM book

2nd Place: $125 cash prize, STEM kit, and STEM book

3rd Place: $100 cash prize, STEM kit, and STEM book

Honorable Merit: STEM kit

Honorable Mention: STEM book

School Awards

The top two public, private, or parochial schools that have the highest percentage of participants by 6th grade population will receive a $700 school award.

Winning Essays Should

  • Be 400-800 words long (header, title, and bibliography are not included in essay length);
  • Adhere to the Essay Subject;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of innovating in STEM and an ability to relate feature/design ideas to current technology;
  • Show originality;
  • Include one or more research sources from varying media (bibliography);
  • Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
  • Present the information in an organized, neat fashion.

Criteria for Judging

  • Content (75%)
    • Adherence to the prompt
      • All four questions in the prompt are addressed
    • Originality
      • Thoughtful, original design or solution
    • Demonstrates understanding of STEM
      • Ability to relate feature/design idea to current technology
  • Presentation (25%)
    • Quality of writing
      • Style, clarity, flow, and vocabulary
    • Organization
      • Contains clear paragraphs, introduction, and conclusion
    • Conventions
      • Grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Eligibility

The contest is open to 6th grade students attending public, private, parochial, or home schools in the following counties: Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, or Winston.

Submission

  • To enter, complete the entry form that will be made available during the contest window and follow the instructions to either upload or email your essay.
  • The essay file name must include your first and last name.
  • PDF, Word, and Google Doc file formats are accepted.
  • For teachers submitting multiple entries, you may email a list of participating students along with the school name and address, your name and email address, and the essays to NALSTEMEssayContest@gmail.com.
  • All entries must be received by January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
  • Winners will be notified by March 27, 2026.
Enter Contest Here

Frequently Asked Questions

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Integrated means that your feature should be built into the car itself, not something attached or added after the fact. It should be part of how the car is designed and functions.

For example, air bags, overhead lights, and Bluetooth pairing are all integrated into cars because they are built-in. A phone holder you stick on the dashboard or a blanket you bring into the care is not integrated because they are removable.

Writing with an informative tones means that your are explaining your idea to your audience using facts and details. Your essay should inform readers how your feature works using words that describe and explain, not ones that exaggerate or try to “sell” the idea.

The contest is open to all genders. Our goal is to inspire all students to explore STEM fields.

Many students find inspiration from their own experiences or items around them. Are there any negative experiences or pet peeves you’d like to prevent or fix? Or is there a feature you think would be fun and exciting?

Check your school or public library for non-fiction books about STEM and technology to help make additional connections.

The use of internet resources is also encouraged while taking into consideration the credibility of the source. Below is a list of resources we’ve seen used previously:

Each student must submit their own individual and original essay. Co-written submissions or submissions that closely mirror or resemble one another are not permitted.

However, students are welcome to brainstorm and discuss ideas together. Engineers often work together to identify and solve problems, and collaboration helps engineers think of things from different perspectives. But, just like every engineer must submit their own designs, each student must submit a unique essay.

Additional Resources

2026 Brochure 2026 Flyer 2026 Student Checklist