Introduction

NSL was founded in 1980 by Joseph Quartaro and Henry Hull, two math coaches with more than 30 years of teaching experience. They launched this challenge in conjunction with the U.S. national policy on science education, based on the experience of CML, and with a number of science teachers with extensive teaching experience. This challenge is aligned with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standard) system, offering a platform for students to challenge themselves. NSL aims to enhance students’ interests in further exploration of science through lively questions. Additionally, students in grades 4–9 who achieve a Bronze Award or higher will be invited to participate in the large-scale and onsite science event—the ASEEDER All Star Science Carnival—held in Shanghai in May 2026.

National Science League

40+ Years

of history

all-ages STEM challenge

for the U.S. K12 science teaching system

30,000+ students

from 400+ American schools participating annually with

10 difficulty levels

for students from grade 1-12/ year 2-13

All Star Science Carnival held in Shanghai in May 2026

for Bronze Award or higher winners in grade 4-9 / year 5-10

National Science League Qualifier Round

Rules

Date: Apr 3, 2026 (Fri.) – 40 mins

Language: English

Form: Online

Eligibility: Grade 1-12 / Year 2-13

Primary School

Eligibility: Grade 1-6/Year 2-7

Content:
● Grade 1-2 / Year 2-3:
Introductory Science Level 1 – 25 multiple-choice questions
● Grade 3-4 / Year 4-5:
Introductory Science Level 2 -35 multiple-choice questions
● Grade 5-6 / Year 6-7:
Introductory Science Level 3 – 40 multiple-choice questions
* Note: Junior students may choose a higher level, but not vice versa. For example, students in Grade 3 can choose Introductory Science Level 3, while cannot choose Introductory Science Level 1.

Middle School (Junior)

Eligibility: Grade 7-9 / Year 8-10 Content:
● Grade 7 / Year 8: Introductory Science Level 4, 50 multiple choice questions
● Grade 8-9 / Year 9-10: Choose one of the following subjects to participate
● Life Science: 50 multiple-choice questions
● Physical Science: 50 multiple-choice questions
● Earth Science: 40 multiple-choice questions

High School (Senior)

Eligibility: Grade 9-12/Year 10-13
Content:
● Physics: 40 multiple-choice questions
● Chemistry: 40 multiple-choice questions
● Biology: 40 multiple-choice questions
* Choose one of the above subjects to participate (Grade 9 students can also be involved in)

Award

Global School Awards

● The highest 10 scores for each subject from each school are added to the school’s score for that subject

Asian Individual Awards

● Perfect Score: Perfect Score winners will receive medals

● Gold: Top 15%

● Silver: Top 25%

● Bronze: Top 35%

● Honorable Mention: Top 70%

NSL All Star Round ASEEDER

All Star Science Carnival

（NSL All Star Round ASEEDER

Rules

Date: May 2026
Location: Shanghai (TBD)
Participants: Students in grades 4–9 who achieved a Bronze Award and above in the NSL qualification round.
Team Size: Team of 4 participants

Sessions

Awards

Individual Awards:

● Science Bowl: Top 3, Gold Award, Silver Award, Bronze Award in each division.

● Science Holmes: Top 3, Gold Award, Silver Award, Bronze Award in each division.

● All participants will receive a certificate of participation for the All Star Round.

Team Awards

● Science Bazzar：Top 30%

* The above awards are for reference only; actual awards will be confirmed in the current year.

registration form

Fee: Includes the exam, grading, proctor fee, past-papers, certificates.

registration deadline

Mar 20, 2026