MN Braille Challenge

Since 2025, SparkPath, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Region 11 Low Incidence Project at BrightWorks have worked together to coordinate the Minnesota Braille Challenge. The Braille Challenge (external site) is the only academic competition of its kind for students in grades 1-12 with low-to-no vision. Nationally organized by the Braille Institute (external site), the program has been promoting braille literacy through rigorous academic competitions across the globe for over 25 years.

Contest Age Groups

• Apprentice (uncontracted): grades 1-2
• Freshman: grades 3-4
• Sophomore: grades 5-6
• Junior Varsity: grades 7-9
• Varsity: grades 10-12
• Fundamental: interactive braille-focused activities that are not scored

Contest Categories

• Spelling (grades 1-4)
• Reading Comprehension (grades 1-12)
• Proofreading (grades 1-12)
• Charts and Graphs (grades 5-12)
• Speed and Accuracy (grades 5-12)

 

Save the Date - Saturday, February 6, 2027

Location: Bethel University's Anderson Center building (BrightWorks & SparkPath office) - 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112

Time: 8:30 am - 2:00 pm