Essay contest opens at noon, 12:00 p.m. ET.
Essay contest submission form closes at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Naval Horizons Highest Honors winners announced at 11:59 p.m. ET.
ESSAY CONTEST
Naval Horizons introduces students to cutting-edge Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics that impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps – to include autonomy, oceanography, cybersecurity, undersea medicine, and more. We invite students to learn about Naval STEM challenges and our scientists and engineers through this video series. Then, we encourage students to write an essay explaining how our research and our people inspire them. This contest challenges students to picture themselves in a STEM career by designing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of the future.
How to Participate
READ THE RULES & INFO
WATCH THE VIDEOS
WRITE YOUR ESSAY
SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY*
*If you are under 18 years old, your parent or adult caregiver must complete and submit your essay to Naval STEM. Students who are 18 years old or older may submit their essay.
ESSAYS
500 - 1,500 Words Total
Watch the videos to learn about U.S. Navy and Marine Corps STEM research areas and our people. Choose one of the STEM topics highlighted in the videos, conduct additional research on the subject, and compose your essay. Your essay needs to include 1) STEM Research Area, 2) Our People, and 3) The Future. The essays must be between 500-1,500 words total.
STEM Research Area
Select one topic based on the videos that interests you. Conduct additional research of the subject. Describe why this topic inspires you, and explain how this subject is important to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of today.
Our People
Next, select a scientist or engineer from one of the videos who inspires you – this could be the same video you selected for STEM Research Area or a different video. Describe how their career and their work inspires you, including your career goals.
The Future
Last, imagine how science and technology from one of the videos will advance over the next 15 to 20 years– this could be the same video you selected for STEM Research Area or a different video. Describe how new technologies will change our daily lives in the next 15 to 20 years, including how these new advances might impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of the future.
Judging
Judges will select up to 5,000 winners. Please see RULES & INFO for essay judging criteria.
Contest Prize
All winners are eligible to receive a $200 cash prize. Exceptional essays may be highlighted on a Naval STEM web page and will be designated Naval Horizons Highest Honors.