California 4-H Presentation Program (Regional Presentation Events)
A public-speaking development program within California 4-H open to members ages 9-18, in which students give prepared demonstrations/illustrated talks or impromptu speeches on assigned topics (e.g. Democratic Process, Mindfulness, Inspiring Others). Students first qualify at county-level events (Jan-March) before advancing to regional competitions, including a Bay Area regional held in Sonoma.
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Northern California Esports League (NCEL)
A scholastic esports league operated by the Butte County Office of Education in partnership with NASEF, serving predominantly rural and small Northern California schools with both middle school (NCEL-MS, the first middle-school esports league in the nation) and high school divisions. Students compete in titles such as League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite, NBA 2K, and Overwatch while building communication and teamwork skills.
CIF Esports Initiative (NASEF California)
The California Interscholastic Federation's official statewide esports league, operated by the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), in which high schools field varsity, JV, and exhibition teams competing in titles like League of Legends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The season runs from January through a live Grand Finals Championship each April at CSU Dominguez Hills, with over 300 California high schools and 900+ teams participating.
SMART Competition (IEEE Region 6)
An IEEE Region 6-sponsored engineering competition in which high school teams use professional design software (Bentley Systems) to redesign a fictional school gymnasium for structural integrity, energy efficiency, and renewable power generation. Teams submit engineering solutions that are judged by practicing engineers.
American Legion Oratorical Contest – California
The American Legion's High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is a constitutional speech contest requiring students to deliver original orations on the U.S. Constitution and citizens' duties to government. California students compete through post, district, and area rounds before an annual Department (state) final, with winners advancing toward national competition for college scholarships.
Great California ShakeOut
An annual statewide earthquake preparedness drill in which students, schools, and organizations across California practice the 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' technique at a scheduled time each October (or a self-chosen date). Participants can register individually or through their school and access drill scripts, safety videos, and educational materials.
JA Be Entrepreneurial: Rapid Business Planning
A Junior Achievement of Northern California learning experience where high schoolers use Design Thinking and the Lean Canvas framework to turn a business idea into a one-page business plan across six sessions; participants may go on to compete in the JA Social Innovation Challenge.