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Did you know there is a STEM research competition exclusively for middle school students in the United States? It's called the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC). Through this competition, students can explore their strengths and interests in STEM and prepare for future challenges in STEM fields. Let’s dive into the competition's process, prizes, and eligibility requirements!



About Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC
 

What is Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC?

Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC, formerly known as Broadcom MASTERS, is a national STEM competition for middle school students (grades 6th, 7th, and 8th) sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and organized by the Society for Science. This competition is designed to inspire middle school students to continue studying science and engineering, encouraging them to explore their interests and achieve their goals. Thermo Fisher JIC aims to inspire young scientists, engineers, and innovators to tackle some of the world’s most challenging problems. In 2023, the competition saw 1,828 participants. From these, the top 300 were selected, and 30 finalists competed for more than $100,000 in prizes.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be students enrolled in grades 6-8 and must participate in an affiliated fair within the United States or its territories. This includes almost all states and over 70 countries, regions, and territories. Candidates can participate individually or in teams of up to three students.

 

Important Points for Nominees

Each nominee's project must include research conducted within one year. Projects that do not meet this requirement, such as repeated previous experiments, are ineligible. Each nominee may submit only one entry. Nominees must enter Thermo Fisher JIC with the same project that qualified them at the affiliated fair.

 

Participation and Prizes

Finalists present their original science fair projects and compete in teams to test their leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in science, engineering, and mathematics. Finalist prizes include the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND award (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries), science tours, and awards for the finalists' teachers and schools.

 

2023 Competition Timeline

   - January to April: Attend affiliated science fairs.

   - February 1 to June 14: Submit applications and prepare projects.

   - September 6: Announcement of the Top 300 Juniors.

   - September 20: Announcement of the Top 30 Finalists.

   - October 28 to November 2: Finals.

   - October 29: Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC Science and Engineering Project Showcase.

 

Participating in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge offers middle school students an incredible opportunity to explore their interests in STEM, gain recognition for their work, and prepare for future STEM challenges. Encourage your child to take part and discover their potential in the exciting world of science and engineering!