You Could Compete in the Next Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
By Kylie Wolfe
Today’s students are tomorrow’s STEM leaders. That’s why, through programs like the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, we’re committed to providing opportunities that excite students about careers in STEM. Want to learn more? Keep reading.
What Is the Junior Innovators Challenge?
Thermo Fisher Scientific and Society for Science have partnered to bring you the Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition.
Those selected will travel to the national competition to showcase their projects, compete in teams, visit historical sites and organizations, and more. Over $100,000 in awards are available, including a top prize of $25,000.
How Can I Get Involved?
When you participate in a Society for Science-affiliated science fair, you’ve already taken the first step. Those who place in the top 10 percent at their local, state, or regional affiliated fair become nominees, and those nominees are invited to apply for the Thermo Fisher JIC. If you were nominated, visit thermofisherjic.smapply.org to access this year’s application page.
If your school or local fair is not affiliated with Society for Science and you’re interested in participating, visit findafair.societyforscience.org to find a fair nearby. Most fairs take place between January and April.
And if you weren’t nominated this year or didn’t have the opportunity to participate in an affiliated fair, ask your teacher how you can get involved. Start brainstorming your science project now because we’d love to see you next year.
Who Can Enter?
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are eligible for this competition, but they must first compete at their local affiliated science fair, become a nominee, and send in an application. All applications are reviewed by Society for Science. In September, the top 300 Junior Innovators and 30 finalists are announced. Students who place in the top 30 will be notified by Society for Science and are invited to attend the national competition.
Where Is the Competition?
The 2023 Thermo Fisher JIC will take place in Washington, D.C., in the fall. More details to come.
Why Should I Apply?
This experience goes beyond science, connecting you with other students nationwide. By participating in a hands-on STEM competition, you learn valuable skills—and you can also win prizes.
- The Top 300 Junior Innovators receive $125 courtesy of DoD STEM, an award ribbon, a digital Science News family subscription, and a subscription to Wolfram|Alpha Notebook Edition.
- The Top 300 Students’ Teachers receive a tote bag and a one-year digital subscription to Science News magazine.
- All Finalists receive $500, an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for themselves and a parent/guardian, and the opportunity to win more awards, including a $25,000 grand prize.
Visit societyforscience.org/jic to learn more.
When Does This Take Place?
- Application Open
February 1, 2023 – June 14, 2023 - Top 300 Students Announced
September 6, 2023 - Top 30 Finalists Announced
September 20, 2023 - Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
October/November 2023
Meet Jason Wu
Senior Manager, Finance at Thermo Fisher Scientific
Former Participant in a Society for Science-Hosted Fair
Q: Let’s start with an easy one—what do you love about science?
A: “Through science, you can learn so much about what goes on in the world. Like, why do blue whales, the biggest animals in the world, eat tiny little creatures like krill? It’s those little facts that I always found interesting. Even now, I have a five-and-a-half-year-old who’s always very curious about the world, always asking questions. And I feel like science is a great way to provide answers.”
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your science fair experience?
A: “I won the school science fair and then the state science fair and then had the opportunity to attend an international fair. It was a great experience because I could talk to my fellow contestants about their projects, how they set up their experiments, and the questions they were trying to answer.”
Q: What was your project about?
A: “I decided to test the fish from my local supermarket, like getting pieces of salmon, pieces of cod, tuna, to really see the amount of mercury that’s in some food products. Back then, I didn’t have connections to a lab to test that out, so I cold called a couple of different labs in the region and one of them was nice enough to invite me in to use their mass spectrometry equipment.”
Q: Did you gain new skills?
A: “Definitely learning to interact with different people and asking questions. I also learned how to observe and record results, analyze the data, write up conclusions, and be a good presenter. I feel like those skills are truly valuable for college, for your career, really anything in life.”
Q: Do you have any advice for this year’s science fair participants?
A: “Keep moving forward, keep pushing your project, keep thinking of ways to attack it from different angles. Pretend to be a judge and think critically about your project to see how you can improve and make it better. You’ll be surprised at what you might come up with—and if you do well, you might bring home some great prizes.”
Q: How did your science fair experience impact your life?
A: “I’m going to be thinking about [science fairs] as my daughter gets older because I want her to build the skills that come with being a scientist. Being able to observe and ask questions. It was a wonderful experience for me. And I’ll look out for [competitions like this] in the future for her, too.”
Calling All Teachers
Is Your School’s Science Fair Affiliated with Society for Science?
This year’s science fairs are well underway and if yours is affiliated with Society for Science, we ask that you encourage eligible students to submit their applications for a chance to compete at the national level.
But if your school’s science fair is not yet affiliated, you can take that step in August. Visit societyforscience.org/jic to learn more about affiliating your fair.