The Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) hosts numerous regional competitions throughout the year. Many CAIU teams have advanced to place at state-wide events. The following regional competitions occur annually. 

PA Keystone Competition

When: Oct. 28, 2026
Grade Bands: Middle School (Grades 7-8), High School (Grades 9-12)
Contact: Jackie Ford, jford@caiu.org

FREE & low lift - no prep required! A one-day statewide STEM challenge where teams solve real-world problems and showcase innovative solutions. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Keystone Competition webpage.

PA Invention Convention

When: Teams participate through virtual regional submissions in November and December. Selected inventors advance to the State Competition on Feb. 10, 2027, at Kalahari, held as part of the PETE&C Conference.
Grade Bands: Elementary School (K-4), Middle School (Grades 5-8), High School (Grades 9-12)
Contact: Jackie Ford, jford@caiu.org

Turning ideas into solutions - young inventors bring ideas to live through the PA Invention Convention. For more information, visit the PA Invention Convention webpage.

STEM Design Challenge

When: March 16, 2027 (Elementary) & March 17, 2027 (Middle School)
Grade Bands: Elementary School (Grades 4-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Cost: $30 per team
Contact: Jackie Ford, jford@caiu.org

Think. Design. Build. Compete. Teams solve a real engineering challenge and present their K'NEX and Engino prototype to a panel of judges. For more information, visit the STEM Design Challenge webpage.

Math 24 Tournament

When: May 12, 2027 (Elementary) & May 13, 2027 (Middle School)
Grade Bands: Elementary (Grades 4-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Cost: $40 per team
Contact: Jackie Ford, jford@caiu.org

Math 24 is a mental math game where students use basic operations to reach 24 while competing for individual and team points.