Student Activities

Delco Hi-Q is the nation’s longest-running academic quiz competition, founded right here in Delaware County in 1948. Today, 21 high schools participate in the spirited, fast-paced program. Each school fields a team of 10 students and hosts one match during the regular season. Matches feature three competing schools and unfold over three challenging rounds.

For nearly 15 years, the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) has proudly co-sponsored Delco Hi-Q alongside Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU), providing leadership, coordination, and production support to ensure a high-quality experience for all involved.

The DCIU Esports Tournaments, held annually in the fall and spring, provide high school students with exciting competitive gaming experiences while promoting teamwork, strategic thinking, and sportsmanship. These tournaments offer students the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at a high level in a supportive environment. 
 
Grade range: 9-12

The 24 Challenge is a tournament-style competition organized around the 24 Game. Millions of students in more than 20 countries have participated since 1988. Over a period of months preceding the event, teachers use the 24 Game in their classrooms to help students hone their mathematics skills. Then schools or districts hold playoffs to determine which students will advance to our county-wide championship event!  
 
Grade range: 4-8

Reading Olympics is a year-long competition for students in grades 4-12. Students read 40 books throughout the year with a culminating game-show style event at the end of the year bringing together teams from across the county. 
 
Grade range: 4-12

The annual Delaware County Intermediate Unit Scripps Spelling Bee takes place in the early spring of each year. The champion of the spelling bee represents the Delaware County area in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Bee helps students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn language concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. In addition to the academic benefits, students also develop important life skills that will help them as they advance in school and eventually to successful careers. 
 
Grade range: K-8

2025 DCIU Spelling Bee Competition Information

The 2025 DCIU Scripps Spelling Bee took place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Delaware County Technical High School – Aston Campus. After 11 rounds of competition, the winning word was "cannoli."

🏆 Our 2025 DCIU Spelling Bee Champion went on to represent Delaware County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Congratulations to all our spellers for their hard work and dedication!

Students are given a theme and are challenged to build an object within that theme using K’Nex building materials. At the challenge, they will present a narrative report, submit blueprints/cost sheets, and build their object within a certain time limit. 
 
Grade range: 4-8 

The ArT Showcase is an annual adapted art show featuring a variety of student art, such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography. Submissions are accepted from teachers of students aged K-21 with one or more of the following diagnoses: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Deafness, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment or Developmental Delay.

Chief Science Officers (CSOs) are 6th to 12th grade student STEM ambassadors who are identified by their peers and demonstrate interest in STEM, innovation and advocacy. 

As a CSO student, participants embark on a transformative journey that combines hands-on learning, mentorship, and community engagement to cultivate their skills and ignite their potential. From organizing STEM events to advocating for science education in their communities, students have the opportunity to make a real difference while honing their leadership abilities. Through immersive experiences such as industry tours, guest speaker sessions, and collaborative projects, participants gain invaluable insights into various STEM fields and develop the confidence to pursue their ambitions. Join us as we empower the next generation of STEM leaders to create positive change and shape the future of innovation.

Girls Who Code runs annually in the fall and spring semesters. Clubs are free programs for 6th-8th grade students to join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models where students learn to see themselves as computer scientists. Girls build coding skills and community as they complete coding projects.

Grade range: 6-8

The Making a Difference Awards are an annual event sponsored by Delaware County’s Right to Education Local Task Force. The event recognizes outstanding individuals and groups who champion inclusion. 
 
Grade range: K-12 and adults

Mock interviews serve as an opportunity for students, ages 14 – 22, to participate in an authentic interview experience to practice interview skills, such as sharing a resume, appearance and poise, skills presentation, and delivery and language. Once complete, students receive feedback to further hone their interview skills. This event provides opportunities for transition coordinators across the county to collaborate with our secondary transition team to develop and share resources to enhance our students' abilities to participate in real-life interview scenarios and receive feedback, so they are more prepared when they participate in real interview opportunities in the future.  
 
Ages: 14-22

The DCIU Secondary Transition Fair is an engaging open house event for students with disabilities and their families to learn more about what happens after high school. Students and families have opportunities to meet with agencies and community partners to discover ways to get a job, live independently, or continue in further education.  
 
Who should attend: Students and their case managers, counselors, transition coordinators, and building level administrators.

The Innovation & Inclusion (I&I) Studio at DCIU provides an ideal space for districts to host workshops or field trips. The I & I Studio can support esports competitions, engineering design challenges, STEM family nights, and provides access to a design space with 3D printers and a laser cutter. Whether you need a custom-planned event or want to bring your own vision to life, the possibilities are endless. 
 
Grade range: Fun for all ages

DCIU offers an annual Summer Camp for students to engage in both high-tech and low-tech coding, robotics, engineering, and science experiences.  

Summer 2025 Camps

Exploring Nature: Walking Softer (students entering Grades 9-12)

July 14-18, 2025 | DCIU Morton Campus | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Walking Softer provides high school students with the opportunity to explore environmental issues, dive into their personal and collective interests, and gain the tools to advocate for solutions in their communities.

Students will gain essential environmental knowledge, practical stills, and learn how to champion sustainability in their community!

Cost: $250/camper

Register for Walking Softer

Summer STEM Adventure: Innovate, Create, Explore! (students entering Grades 5-8)

July 2, 8, 16, & 23, 2025 | DCIU Morton Campus | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for an exciting Summer STEM Adventure, designed for students in grades 5-8 who love to tinker, create, and explore cutting edge technology! Each Wednesday in July, participants will drive into hands-on projects and interactive challenges focused on robotics, drones, coding, and engineering. No experience required!

• Session 1: Robotics Revolution
• Session 2: Drone Discovery
• Session 3: Code Creators
• Session 4: Engineering Explorers

Cost: $250 for all four sessions or $70 per session

Register for Summer STEM Adventure

The Youth Career Conference is an empowering and inclusive event designed to help students understand how to convert their existing talents into skills for employment. The event hosts several accomplished speakers who share their own stories. The DCIU Youth Career Conference is more than just a conference, it’s a celebration of potential, diversity, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. 
 
Who should attend: Students with disabilities and their case managers, counselors, transition coordinators, and building level administrators.

High school students from across Delaware County come together throughout the year to explore career pathways in the field of education. Participating students gain leadership skills, learn strategies for college and career readiness, connect with professionals in areas of education, and prepare for a teaching career.  
 
Grade range: 9-11

The AI Student Forum is a collaborative group of students in grades 10-12 from high schools across Delaware County who come together to explore ideas and discuss the role of AI in education. It provides students the opportunity for their voice to be heard in shaping the future of learning! Students will have opportunities to engage in student-led discussions, collaborative projects, networking, and a culminating event to showcase their work.

High school students from across Delaware County come together throughout the year to engage in action research in student-identified areas of interest related to dignity and belonging in schools. Students meet over the course of two consecutive years and present their findings in a bi-annual Student Symposium Conference Event held in conjunction with the Future Educators Academy.
 
Grade range: 10-12