Activities · Clubs and academics
Clubs and academic teams
Science, robotics, math, law, debate, business, media and more. What each team does, who can join, and where to read the official rules. Dates and fees for many contests are on our contests page.
- Join a team for a skill you like or want to learn.
- Teams need advisors and parent helpers too.
- No club for it? You can ask to start one.
- Keep a record of events and awards.
General information. We list only rules and programs with an official page we opened. Rules, dates and fees change: always check the official page and your school. Facts checked November 9, 2026.
🏆 Academic teams at a glance
| Team | Grades | What you do | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Olympiad | Elementary program; Division B (middle school); Division C (high school) | Team science and engineering events at regional, state and national tournaments. | Dates and Long Island regionals |
| Robotics: FIRST (FLL, FTC, FRC) and VEX | Elementary to high school | Design, build and code robots for a season challenge. | FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Competition, VEX |
| Math teams | Middle and high school | Solve contest problems alone and as a team. | MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8, Math League, NYSML |
| Mock Trial | High school | Act as lawyers and witnesses in a made-up court case. | Run by The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. nysba.org |
| Speech and debate | High schools (grades 9-12) that are members | Speeches, debate rounds, Student Congress. | New York State Forensic League (NYSFL): membership open to all New York high schools; yearly Grand Championship Tournament. nysfl.org |
| Model UN | Middle and high school | Represent a country and solve world problems in committee. | UNA-USA Global Classrooms |
| Envirothon | 9-12, teams of five | Two-day outdoor contest on soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and a current environmental issue, plus a team presentation. | Regional winners go to the New York State Envirothon; the state champion goes to the International NCF-Envirothon. NYS Agriculture and Markets news (2026) |
| Odyssey of the Mind | Kindergarten through college | Creative team problems: build vehicles, perform, invent. | In New York, run by the New York State Odyssey of the Mind Association (NYSOMA). nysoma.org |
| National History Day | Middle and high school | Research a history topic; make a paper, exhibit, film, website or play. | Details |
| Spelling bee | Up to grade 8 | School, regional and national bees. | Details |
| Chess club | All | Play, learn tactics, go to scholastic tournaments. | Chess club guide |
💼 Career clubs (CTSOs)
NYSED recognizes seven Career and Technical Student Organizations. They are co-curricular clubs linked to career and technical classes:
- DECAMarketing, business and entrepreneurship. Details
- FBLAFuture Business Leaders of America. Details
- FCCLAFamily, Career and Community Leaders of America (family and consumer sciences).
- FFAAgricultural education.
- HOSAFuture health professionals.
- SkillsUSALeadership, teamwork and skilled trades.
- TSATechnology Student Association (middle and high school technology).
Official list with state and national links: NYSED CTSOs.
📰 Newspaper, yearbook and video
- Write, edit, photograph and design. Yearbook teaches deadlines and teamwork.
- Video contests: C-SPAN StudentCam. Writing: Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
- Privacy: ask before you photograph or name a student. Use your school's media rules.
🗳️ Leadership
- Student government: run for class office or join a committee. Plan events and speak for classmates.
- Honor societies: NJHS and NHS. See Community service.
- Peer helpers and buddies: ask your counselor about peer programs at your school.
🚀 Start a new club (students and advisors)
- Find 5 friendsShow there is interest.
- Find an advisorA teacher who will supervise. Advisor pay is set in the district contract.
- Write a one-page planGoal, meeting day, room, budget (even $0), safety.
- Ask the principalUse the district's club approval process.
- Hold a first meetingMake it fun. Set one goal for the year.
Ready-made example: the chess club guide has a full plan you can copy for any club.
🔗 Sources
We opened and checked every source in this list on Nov 9, 2026. Rules and dates change: always read the official page.
- Goal100 contests page (dates, fees and official links for each contest): students-contests.html (each entry lists its own official source)
- New York State Bar Association, About the New York State High School Mock Trial Program: nysba.org
- New York State Forensic League: nysfl.org
- NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, 2026 New York State Envirothon news (June 5, 2026): agriculture.ny.gov
- NYSOMA, What is Odyssey of the Mind (PDF): nysoma.org
- NYSED, Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs): nysed.gov