The winners receive scholarships and invitees and semifinalists receive prizes, tee-shirts, and gift certificates. The 40 finalists come to Washington for a week in October. Each age-appropriate challenge concentrates on a different discipline of science. Many of the activities take place at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. While working in teams, contestants are judged on communication and leadership, as well as scientific problem solving.
Contestants then present their original science fair project to the judges and other contestants.
Kids are be filmed participating on their teams while doing the challenges. This tape is then shown at the final part of the award show, and copies are be given to all of the kids as a take-home. All 40 kids also have the chance to appear on Discovery's networks.