How much can we learn about a robot before putting it in the water—or on the road? CRANE sim is the simulation foundation of the Cross-Domain Robotics Autonomous Navigation Engine. Composable physics modules model vehicle dynamics, actuation, buoyancy, drag, wind, and currents across ground, surface, and underwater platforms. Configurable simulated sensors—including LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, and positioning systems—support testing navigation and localization under controlled conditions. Shared ROS interfaces connect simulated and physical hardware, allowing navigation components to be tested and baseline parameters tuned in Unity before transferring to a real vehicle. The project explores reusable autonomy across different vehicle configurations, with simulation-first validation intended to reduce deployment risk and repeated hardware iteration. This project advanced to the Texas Science & Engineering Fair (TXSEF).
Explore project Beyond what
we know.
The world is full of unanswered questions.
We’re a community of researchers
learning to ask the next one.
It begins with a question
02 — A first discovery
Curiosity finds
a way.
A question can feel like a vast, empty landscape. Then something shifts. A conversation. An observation. A possibility you hadn’t seen before.
Matrix Fellows is a student-founded research society built around that moment. We bring curious people together to turn a first idea into meaningful inquiry.
03 — An ocean of possibility
Every answer.
Another horizon.
Our research starts small and looks further.
Three projects. Many more questions.
Project details are being prepared.
04 — Beneath the surface
The unknown
is an invitation.
Research asks us to stay with the difficult questions. To look closer when the answer isn’t obvious. To try again when an idea doesn’t hold.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You need curiosity, a little courage, and people willing to go deeper with you.
05 — No discovery exists alone
One curious mind.
Infinite connections.
Ideas connect. Disciplines overlap. One person’s question becomes another person’s breakthrough. That is how knowledge moves forward. Together.
There’s a place for you hereYour next chapter
Come curious.
Bring an idea, a question, or simply yourself.
Let’s find out what comes next.
Our first exchange of ideas.
A space to share what you’re working on, explore something new, and ask better questions.
- When
- Sep 25, 2026During lunch
- Where
- Martin HS · Room 185B
On the table
- ↗Meeting topics will be announced here.
Room to grow
A little support.
A lot of possibility.
Take your ideas to the fair.
Find science fair competitions, understand the requirements, and prepare to share your research.
Find your place in the conversation.
Get help developing workshop and conference submissions, from choosing a venue to presenting your work.
Move toward publication.
A supported path through writing, revision, and submission. Build a stronger paper with thoughtful feedback.
Find your people.
Formulate questions, find research partners, and test your thinking with a community that stays curious.
Out there, waiting for you
Find your next opening.
Fairs, conferences, workshops, and more.
Always check the official eligibility and dates.
25 opportunities
Science & engineering
Regeneron ISEF 2027
International science and engineering fair. The listed date is the event, not a local qualifying-fair submission deadline.
See official source
Students qualify through an ISEF-affiliated fair. Local fair eligibility and deadlines vary; there is no universal direct student application.
Dates vary · Check official source
Event · May 8, 2027
ISEF ends · May 14, 2027
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Science & engineering
Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027
Research competition for high-school seniors. The application cutoff is tracked separately from finalist events.
See official source
For eligible high-school seniors conducting independent research. Read the official US residency/schooling rules and application requirements.
Application deadline · Nov 5, 2026
America/New_York
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Research, humanities & creative work
Davidson Fellows Scholarship 2027
Scholarships for significant original work. The next cycle is monitored; an exact deadline is not inferred from previous years. The 2027 application will open in the Fall of 2026. Exact deadline not yet announced on this source.
See official source
See official age, US residency/citizenship, team, and significant-work requirements before applying.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Artificial intelligence
Queer in AI at NeurIPS 2026
Community workshop and call for contributions. Its submission deadline is separate from the main NeurIPS paper deadline.
See official source
Read the official call for contribution formats, participation, accessibility, and attendance requirements.
Final contribution submission · Sep 10, 2026
Etc/GMT+12
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Robotics & automation
IEEE ICRA 2027
IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. The CFP’s timezone wording needs checking against the submission portal; only the calendar deadline is recorded.
See official source
Consult the official paper-submission and presentation requirements.
Paper submission (date only; confirm cutoff timezone) · Sep 15, 2026
Event · May 24, 2027
Date only · confirm cutoff with organizer
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Computer vision
IEEE/CVF CVPR 2027
IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition. Official countdown timestamps supply exact submission cutoffs.
See official source
Technical research submissions; abstract registration, full paper, and supplementary material have distinct deadlines.
Paper Registration Deadline · Nov 11, 2026
Submission Deadline · Nov 17, 2026
Supplementary Materials Deadline · Nov 24, 2026
UTC
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Machine learning & AI
NeurIPS 2026
Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems. Session dates and main-track deadlines are tracked separately.
See official source
Main-conference papers and individual workshops have different calls. Check each track and attendance requirements.
Dates vary · Check official source
Event · Dec 6, 2026
NeurIPS Sydney — Tutorial Day (starts) · Dec 7, 2026
NeurIPS Sydney — Exhibit Hall Open (starts) · Dec 7, 2026
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Multidisciplinary STEM
Boston University RISE Internship / Practicum
Six weeks of university research: mentored internship or structured computational neurobiology/data-science practicum.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Domestic students currently in junior year of high school; residential and commuter options. Tuition not verified in this source.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Physics
F=ma / U.S. Physics Team
F=ma is the first exam in the US Physics Team pathway; qualified students advance to USAPhO and subsequent selection.
United States
F=ma: US citizens, permanent residents or students attending a US school, physically within the US under AAPT territorial rules. USAPhO requires US citizenship or permanent residency. In-person non-family proctor required.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Materials science
Garcia Research Scholars Program
Interdisciplinary materials and polymer-interface research; students may develop work for Materials Research Society abstracts.
Stony Brook, New York, USA
2026 high-school applicants age 16 by July 4, GPA 3.8/4.0, test scores at least 60th percentile and subject requirements. International students with legal US presence accepted; no visa support. 2026 lab fee $4,000 excludes room/board; $50 registration.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Original STEM research
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Present original STEM research at a regional symposium to compete for recognition and advancement to the national symposium. The official sponsor says the program has returned.
United States and participating territories / schools abroad
Grades 9–12; United States, US territories and listed Department of War schools abroad; regional selection required.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Mathematics
MIT PRIMES-USA
Free, year-long mentored mathematics research, including theoretical computer science and computational biology.
Remote, United States outside Greater Boston
US-resident high-school sophomores and juniors outside Greater Boston; local students use MIT PRIMES. Advanced mathematical preparation expected.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Earth and space science
NASA / UT Austin SEES Internship
Mission-data research with NASA, academic and industry experts, with on-site and virtual projects.
Austin, Texas, USA / virtual
Current high-school sophomores/juniors, first-time SEES interns, US citizens, age 16 by July 5, 2026. Scholarship and fee-based on-site places; limited travel scholarships.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Mathematics
PROMYS
Six-week residential mathematical exploration at Boston University with proof-based problem solving.
Boston University, Massachusetts, USA
Worldwide students ages 14–18, completed grade 9, not yet full-time university students. Free for domestic families under $80,000; international aid case-by-case; 2026 fee up to $8,000.
Dates vary · Check official source
Event · Jun 27, 2027
Program ends · Aug 7, 2027
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Multidisciplinary STEM
Research Science Institute (RSI)
Cost-free summer STEM coursework and mentored original research hosted at MIT.
MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
High-school juniors / one year before graduation; US citizens and permanent residents apply directly; international selection depends on participating country.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Biomedical science
Rockefeller Summer Science Research Program
Team-based, mentored laboratory research at Rockefeller University; full-time seven-week commitment.
New York City, New York, USA
Current high-school juniors/seniors, age 16+ at program start. Research from SSRP may not be submitted to science competitions.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Mathematics
Ross Mathematics Program
Six-week residential immersion in number theory and rigorous proof; preparation for independent mathematical research.
Otterbein University, Ohio / Rose-Hulman, Indiana, USA
Pre-college students, first-year participants usually 15–18 with rare age exceptions. 2026 fee $7,500 includes tuition, housing and meals; need-based aid available.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Community STEM innovation
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow — United States
School teams use STEM to address a community problem and compete for school technology and resources.
United States
Grades 6–12 at schools at least 50% publicly funded; applications submitted by a school employee age 21 or older.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Engineering and future technology
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
Team research competition that projects how an existing technology could evolve at least ten years into the future.
United States, Canada, eligible territories and DoWEA schools
Teams of 2–4; K–12 categories including grades 10–12; US/Canadian citizens in eligible schools/geographies; age no older than 21; adult coach.
Project deadline · Jan 27, 2027
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Biology
USA Biolympiad (USABO)
Biology exams lead to a residential national final and selection of the US team for the International Biology Olympiad.
United States; international team pathway
High-school students participate through a registered host school or approved test center; US team selection has additional nationality rules.
School payment deadline · Oct 23, 2026
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Computer science
USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
Algorithmic programming contests with divisions from bronze to platinum; a selection route to the IOI and European Girls Olympiad in Informatics.
Online; selected USA training camp
Online contests open worldwide; only pre-college students in the USA can become training-camp finalists and contend for USA teams.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Space science and computing
NASA International Space Apps Challenge
Global two-day hackathon using NASA and partner data to address problems on Earth and in space; projects compete for global awards.
Worldwide local events
All ages, skill levels and professional backgrounds welcome; register for a local or supported virtual event and consult minor participation requirements.
Dates vary · Check official source
Event · Nov 14, 2026
Hackathon ends · Nov 15, 2026
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Original STEM research
Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Texas regional symposium for presenting original research, competing for scholarships and advancing through the JSHS program. The official region page is preparing the 2026–27 cycle.
Texas; 2026–27 regional host and venue not yet specified
Grades 9–12 in public, private or home schools. All Texas high schools except those in the Trans-Pecos region or west of I-27, US-87 or I-20; those schools use Southwest JSHS. Consult the regional director if the boundary is unclear.
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
Original STEM research
Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF)
Texas state science and engineering fair for students advancing from affiliated regional fairs; an advanced research competition and ISEF qualification opportunity.
Texas A&M University Student Recreation Center, College Station, Texas
Students must first compete in a Texas regional fair and qualify for TXSEF. The state directory lists Fort Worth as the affiliated fair serving Tarrant County; home-school students may participate through regional fairs.
Dates vary · Check official source
Event · Apr 2, 2027
State fair concludes · Apr 3, 2027
Source checked Sep 7, 2026
AI & machine learning
NeurIPS workshops
Explore workshop calls for papers and emerging research communities. Each workshop sets its own submission requirements.
International
Research community · Workshop-specific requirements
Dates vary · Check official source
Source checked Sep 6, 2026
On the horizon
- Queer in AI at NeurIPS 2026 ↗Sep 10, 2026
- IEEE ICRA 2027 ↗Sep 15, 2026
- USA Biolympiad (USABO) ↗Oct 23, 2026
- Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 ↗Nov 5, 2026
The next question starts with you