The main mission of the STEM Armenia NGO is to organize regular contests in STEM related fields for Armenian middle and high school students. The table below summarizes the ways in which a STEM competition can differ from traditional school subject Olympiads.
| Criteria | STEM Contest | Subject Olympiad |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Approach | Often integrate multiple disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, encouraging holistic thinking. | Focus on one specific subject, like math or physics, delving deep into that single area. |
| Real-World Applications | Tend to emphasize practical and real-world problems that require innovative solutions. | Usually emphasize theoretical knowledge and abstract problem-solving in a particular discipline. |
| Project vs. Problem-Solving | Often involve creating a project or prototype, which involves research, design, and presentation. | Generally involve solving theoretical problems or answering written questions. |
| Collaboration | Frequently encourage or require teamwork, as many real-world STEM problems are solved collaboratively. | Typically focus on individual performance. |
| Skill Sets | Often require participants to have hands-on skills in areas like coding, engineering design, or using specific software tools. | Primarily test a deeper understanding of the academic concepts and theories within the subject area. |
| Evaluation Criteria | Judging criteria may include creativity, feasibility, innovation, team collaboration, and presentation skills. | Evaluation is usually based on the accuracy and depth of knowledge demonstrated in problem-solving. |
| Innovation and Creativity | Encourage out-of-the-box thinking, generating novel ideas, and applying creative processes to solve problems. | Often focus on applying established methods and principles to solve well-defined problems. |
| Educational Impact | Aim to develop a broader range of skills, including interdisciplinary knowledge, creativity, and practical problem-solving. | Aim to develop a deep and comprehensive understanding of a specific academic discipline. |
| Long-Term Projects vs. Short-Term Exams | May involve long-term projects that require sustained effort over weeks or months. | Typically consist of short-term examinations that occur over a few hours or days. |