The Washington, D.C.-based Society for Science has announced the 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, America’s premier middle school STEM competition—and two North Texas students have made the cut.
The finalists were selected by a nationwide panel of scientists, engineers and educators from the Top 300 “Junior Innovators” announced earlier this month. They will participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week in the nation’s capital Oct. 24–29. A panel of judges will evaluate the finalists’ scientific research along with their communication, creativity, and collaboration skills during team challenges.
Thermo Fisher JIC reaches 60,000 students annually through the society’s Affiliated Fair Network. Students in the top 10% of their local affiliated science fair are eligible to enter the Thermo Fisher JIC, the only national middle school STEM competition that leverages society-affiliated science fairs as a critical component of the STEM talent pipeline.
All finalists receive a $500 cash award and will participate in the Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week in Washington, D.C., where they will compete for an array of awards, with the top prize being the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award.
North Texas finalists are from Plano and Granbury
The two finalists from North Texas are Matthew Kuo of Renner Middle School in Plano and Paola Lumbreras, a student at Acton Middle School in Granbury.
Kuo’s energy-focused project title is “Factors Affecting Fuel Cell Energy Efficiency.”
Lumbreras’ baby-protecting project title is “Natural Antioxidants Against Alcohol/Nicotine Fetal Development Damage.”
“We applaud the Top 30 finalists for their creativity and innovation,” Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of the Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, said in a statement. “Their work reflects the bright future of STEM, importance of encouraging curiosity and the vital need to invest in STEM opportunities for young people.”
A full list of the finalists and more info can be found here.
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