Four young people look at a robotic arm technology project.

Coolest Projects USA Minnesota

Entries are now closed.

What is Coolest Projects USA Minnesota?

Coolest Projects USA Minnesota is a free in-person event for young tech creators based in the United States of America only. It will be held on April 11, 2026 at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Participants can share their projects with family, friends, and their coding community, get fun swag and certificates to celebrate their achievements, and try hands-on coding activities at the event. Partial scholarships are available to support the costs of attending.

Entries are now closed but if you'd like to showcase a project, you can still email our team at [email protected].

We also welcome visitors to the event - reserve your free ticket here!

Six people walk underneath a metal arch at an event.

What can I enter?

  • Almost anything you like! Coolest Projects is a showcase for digital making, so your project must use code, computers, or digital technology in some way.
  • You can make something new or enter a project you’ve already made and are proud of. You can’t register a project you’ve submitted to Coolest Projects before, unless you’ve made significant changes to it.
  • Projects can be registered in one of seven categories.
  • We love to see ideas and works in progress - projects don’t have to be complete to be entered.
  • We won’t accept projects that depict graphic violence, harm, or use bad language. See our Community Guidelines.

Who can enter?

  • Any young person up to age 18, based in the United States of America only.
  • Young people can enter individually, or in teams of up to five.
  • Young people over 13 can register their own project, or an adult mentor can register for them.
  • An adult mentor must register projects for young people under 13.
  • All digital making projects are welcome, whether they're beginner, advanced, or somewhere in between.

Project checklist

  • I am aged 18 or under.
  • I am registering my project individually, or in a team of up to five young people.
  • My project is digital, and uses code or computers in some way.
  • I have not registered this project for Coolest Projects before or I have made a big change to this project since last time.
  • I can attend the event on April 11, 2026 in Minnesota.

Coolest Projects USA Minnesota FAQs

What happens when I've entered?

Entries are now closed. We’ll get in touch with you by email to confirm your place. Numbers at in-person events are limited by our venue size, so we can’t guarantee that everyone who registers will get a place. Once your place is confirmed, we’ll send all the details you need for event day.

How will the judges review my project?

Judges review projects based on the criteria of Coolness, Complexity, Presentation and Communication, and Design and Usability.

What do I need to do on the day?

Come along, bring your project, and get ready to have fun! We supply a table and power socket, you bring everything you need to display your project. Young people must be accompanied to the event by an adult.

How do I get to the event?

Coolest Projects USA Minnesota is held at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Find directions and information about how to get there on the museum's website.

How can I apply for a scholarship?

Adult mentors can apply for a partial scholarship to support the costs of attending the event, such as travel. You can apply for a scholarship in the application form. We will then get in touch by email to confirm if you’ve been allocated a scholarship and request your bank details. Scholarships are paid by bank transfer in advance of the event. If you are unable to attend the event, you are required to refund the scholarship.

Can my friends and family come?

Yes! Family and friends can reserve a free visitor's ticket to come along to the event to view the amazing projects in the showcase. Adult mentors who are accompanying young participants don’t need to book a ticket.

I don't want to submit a project, can I still come?

Yes! Coolest Projects is open to the public, so if you’re curious you can drop in and see the cool projects on display, meet other makers, and take part in hands-on activities. You can book free visitor's tickets to the event. Adults accompanying young people who are participating in the showcase don't need a visitor ticket.

Can I enter my project to other showcases too?

Yes! You can enter the same project to both Coolest Projects online and Coolest Projects USA Minnesota. We strongly encourage it! It’s a great way to share what you’ve made with the world. You can also enter your project to Coolest Projects USA Georgia on May 2, 2026 if you want to join another in-person event.