Resources for Learning

Spark curiosity with our playful tools.

download

Philadelphia / Surrounding Area Student Competitions

  • Competition: Citywide Spelling Bee (Philadelphia)
    Grades / Focus: Grades 3–8
    Date / Timeframe: February 21, 2025
    Website / Details: Philly.gov – Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement
    Notes: Registration usually opens Jan. City of Philadelphia January 2026 City of Philadelphia
  • Competition: PSEA Region Spelling Bee
    Grades / Focus: Various school levels
    Date / Timeframe: Region finals March 22
    Website / Details: PSEA Spelling Bee registration PDF Pennsylvania State Education Association
    Notes: Often schools have to register through PSEA
  • Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
    Grades / Focus: Middle school (5th–8th)
    Date / Timeframe: May 31, 2025
    Website / Details: Philadelphia Solar Energy Association / Drexel
    Notes: Students design, build, and race model solar cars Philadelphia Solar Energy Association
  • Competition: Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
    Grades / Focus: Grades 6–12
    Date / Timeframe: Annually (Spring)
    Website / Details: Philadelphia Expo Center / DVSF site Philly Expo Center
    Notes: Top middle-school winners may advance to national fairs
  • Competition: Greater Philadelphia GEO Bowl
    Grades / Focus: Middle school
    Date / Timeframe: Varies
    Website / Details: Geographical Society’s GEO Bowl page Geographical Society of Philadelphia
    Notes: Teams compete in geography questions
  • Competition: Greater Philadelphia History Bee & Bowl (IAC)
    Grades / Focus: Elementary / Middle
    Date / Timeframe: November (Regionals)
    Website / Details: IAC Competitions site iacompetitions.com
    Notes: Includes History, Geography, Science Bee divisions
  • Competition: Future City Competition
    Date / Timeframe: Regionals / Finals (Fall–Winter)
    Grades / Focus: Middle school
    Website / Details: FutureCity.org futurecity.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1
    Notes: Students design futuristic cities combining STEM + sustainability

Tentative 2025–2026 Philly-Area Competition Calendar

  • Competition: Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
    Dates (2026): March 31 – April 2, 2026
    Contact: Info@dvsf.org (via registration instructions) Canton Fair+2DVSF+2DVSF+2
    Notes & Source: Held annually first week of April. DVSF+1DVSF+1
  • Competition: Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair (LVSF)
    Dates (2026): March 13–14, 2026
    Contact: Contact via lvsf@lehigh.edu(website) LVSF
    Notes & Source: Feeder to DVSF. LVSF

Pennsylvania Mock Trial

Carver Science Fair (Philadelphia County / Temple University)

North Museum Science & Engineering

George Washington Carver Science Fair – Exhibition Elementary (Grades 4–5)

National Youth Competitions & Their Websites

  • Competition: MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary & Middle School)
    Focus / Grades: Mathematics, grades 4–8
    Website / Details: https://moems.org/ moems.org

Resources at the Free Library of Philadelphia

  • LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program): Offers K–12 students mentoring, homework help, computer access, tutoring, and teen leadership development—available at neighborhood libraries and online at LEAP
  • Digital and Virtual Learning Tools:
  • TumbleBooks: Animated reading platform that encourages literacy through talking picture books—accessible with a library card from the Free Library of Philadelphia.
  • World Book Online: A child-friendly encyclopedia, including Spanish content, Free Library of Philadelphia.
  • Other digital platforms include e-books, audiobooks, virtual storytimes, and homework help via the Free Library’s online catalog, Free Library Philadelphia School District.

Parkway Central Library (Free Library of Philadelphia)

  • The flagship branch with a large Central Children’s Department, hosting storytimes (Infant & Parent Lap Times, Toddler Story Time, Preschool Potpourri) and the popular Summer Reading Game Free Library of PhiladelphiaWikipedia.
  • Home to the Children’s Literature Research Collection, one of the most extensive in the U.S. Wikipedia+1.