| New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition (NHSEE) |
OPEN COMPETITION CATEGORIES
- Animal & Plant Science (ASPS): Animal science is described as "studying the biology of animals that are under the control of humankind". It can also be described as the production and management of farm animals. Plant science involves the observation of plant growth and characteristics and investigation into the relationship between plants and their environment. Other topics in this category include: zoology, botany, and ecology.
- Behavioral Science (BEHA): The study of thought processes and behavior of humans or other animals studied through observational and experimental methods. Other topics in this category include: psychology, educational testing, animal behavior, neuroscience, sociology and anthropology.
- Biology (BIOL): The science of life, including the study of the development, structure, and interactions of living organisms. Other topics in this category include: cellular biology, biomedical science, health science, translational medical science, nutrition, veterinary medicine, microbiology, genetics, physiology, anatomy, computational biology and toxicology.
- Chemistry (CHEM): The study of the composition of substances, their structure, their behavior, reactions, analysis and synthesis. Other topics in this category include: physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, computational chemistry, and environmental chemistry.
- Computer Science & Mathematics (CSMA): A study of computer construction, programming, languages, algorithms, techniques and general operations. Other topics in this category include: robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational science, and systems software. Mathematics is the science of numbers and quantities that can be used to solve real-world problems or answer testable questions through the application of mathematical formulas, modeling, or statistics. Other topics in this category include: data science and computational modeling, geometry, game theory, number theory, probability, and statistics. Calculus and abstract algebra may be more suitable for High School
- Engineering (ENGR): Applied science concerned with utilizing products of earth, properties of matter, sources of power in nature, and physical forces for supplying human needs in the form of structures, machines, manufactured products, precision instruments, the means of lighting, heating, refrigeration, communication, transportation, sanitation, public safety and other productive work. Some types of engineering include: aeronautical, automotive, civil, electrical, environmental, geothermal, marine, materials, mechanical, photographic, solar and sound engineering.
- Environmental Science (ENEV): The study of environments and the impact of changes (natural or as a result of human interaction) on ecosystems, including pollution sources (air, water and land), natural resource consumption, climate science, and invasive species.
- Physics & Electronics (PHYS): Physics is a science covering matter, energy, and the interactions between the two that do not involve change in composition. Topics covered by physics include: aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, solid-state theory, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, and biophysics. Electronics is the study, control and application of the conduction of electricity through gases or a vacuum or through conducting or semiconducting materials. Other topics in this category include: circuits, Internet of Things, optics, sensors, signal processing, and electronic phenomena, devices and systems.
CHALLENGE COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Popsicle Stick Bridge
Design and build a bridge out of popsicle sticks that can support the most weight possible. The bridge must meet all design specifications. Please read the instructions below and view the short video of how the bridge is to be tested.
Popsicle Stick Bridge 2026.docx
Hill Climb Car
Design and build a car that can climb the steepest slope possible. The car must meet all design specifications. Please read and follow the instructions below. The climbing ramp's surface and how your car will be scored is shown in the instructions.
Hill-Climb Car 2026.docxStraw Tower
Design and construct a tower using up to 100 straws and 100 pins with a minimum height that supports the maximum load possible. The tower must be a minimum of 50 cm high. Please read the instructions below and watch the video to see how it's tested.
Straw Towers 2026.docx