<p>“So I think “national award” may have meant reaching the national level of competition (national math/physics qualifier) rather than being on the list of winners. Either that, or there are many more national competitions than I have heard of.”</p>
<p>The national math/science awards I have heard of: Math:ARML, Math Olympics (AMC/USMO/IMO), Mandelbrot, International Modeling Contest.
Science: Science Olympiad, Intel, doing research at RSI, physics/math/chemistry international olympiads, International Bridge Building Contest</p>
<p>Obviously, these are not equal in importance. I don’t know which they would consider for “academic superstar status”. My guess is Intel, the national physics/math/chemistry olympiads (maybe USAMO level or equivalent), ARML, and a few ones that are not as well-known such as a national robotics competition or International Bridge Building</p>