Frequently Asked Questions

The NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. ACT-SO includes 33 competitions in STEM, humanities, business, and performing, visual and culinary arts. Almost 300,000 young people have participated from the program since its inception. 

ACT-SO was founded in 1978 by author and journalist Vernon Jarrett. The program is intended to provide recognition to young people who could demonstrate academic, scientific, and artistic achievement, allowing young people to gain recognition equal to that often achieved by entertainers and athletes. 

Students of African descent who are U.S. citizens enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories are eligible to participate. 

The ACT-SO program is an enrichment program. Over the course of each year students work with local volunteer instructors and mentors to develop projects and participate in enrichment opportunities, including workshops, tutorials and field trips specific to their competitions. 

The local ACT-SO competitions and ceremonies showcase the results of the students’ hard work. Competition winners receive medals and prizes provided by the local and regional sponsors and contributors. The local Gold Medalists advance to the national competition and have the opportunity to receive scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors. 

ACT-SO is a community-based program that provides multiple opportunities for involvement. Community members may participate as: Chairpersons, mentors, sponsors, organizers, competitors, benefactors, educational partners, etc.. The program receives support from schools, local businesses, community organizations, churches, foundations, major corporations and individuals. For more detailed criteria and information about how to get involved, please contact the National ACT-SO office.  Students can select up to 3 competitions from a total of 33 offerings. The 33 ACT- SO competitions include:

Business 

• Entrepreneurship
• Hospitality Management* (Abbreviated Description) 

Culinary

• Culinary Arts* (Abbreviated Description) 

Humanities 

• Music Composition
• Original Essay
• Playwriting
• Poetry—Written
• Short Story 

Performing Arts 

• Dance: Ballet 
• Dance: Contemporary 
• Dance: Modern 
• Dance: Traditional
• Dramatic Arts: Acting
• Music: Instrumental—Classical
• Music: Instrumental—Contemporary
• Music: Vocal—Classical
• Music: Vocal—Contemporary
• Oratory
• Poetry—Performance

 STEM 

• Architecture
• Biology/Microbiology
• Chemistry/Biochemistry
• Computer Science & Coding
• Earth and Space Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Medicine and Health
• Physics
• Sustainable Building Design 

Visual Arts 

• Drawing
• Filmmaking
• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture 

• August:  Local programs kick-off annual ACT-SO activities  
• March: Local programs conduct mentoring and scholastic enrichment activities  
• April: Local programs host ACT-SO competitions  
• April-July:  Students continue their local mentorship and enrichment programs to prepare for the National Competition.  
• July:  Annual activities culminate with the National Competition and Ceremonies  

For more information visit: http://www.naacp.org/ACT-SO or dial (410) 580-5650  

National ACT-SO | 4805 Mount Hope Dr. | Baltimore, Maryland 21215