Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge Decoded

Have you ever had a brilliant idea pop into your head at random, perhaps while you were brushing your teeth? Or maybe, you’ve found yourself looking at a problem thinking, “Hey, I bet I could fix that.”

If you’re a curious middle schooler (or a parent of one) with a knack for science, technology, engineering, or math, you’re exactly the person the world needs right now. And competitions like the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) are designed to give young minds just like yours a much-needed platform to shine.

It may seem like just another science fair. Technically, that’s what this competition is. But it’s so much more than your run-of-the-mill event where kids line up with their generic exploding volcanoes and floating egg experiments.

Instead, the JIC is a premier STEM research event for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students in the United States. It’s a chance for you to take your project from the school gym to the national stage. 

In this guide, we’ll decode everything you need to know to get started. You’ll learn about key dates, who’s eligible, what the judges are looking for, and some of the amazing prizes you might win. 

What is the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge?

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, organized by the renowned Society for Science, is a big name for a big opportunity. It’s a national competition that celebrates the most promising middle school students who are passionate about STEM. If you’re in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and live in the United States (or its territories), this competition is for you.

Its main goal is to foster a love for discovery and uphold the principles of scientific integrity. While the awards are pretty impressive, this stem competition for middle school students is about so much more than just the thrill of the win. Instead, it’s about the journey of asking a question, designing an experiment, and sharing what you’ve learned. You’ll get to see how real science works, from the first spark of an idea to the final presentation.

Participating in the JIC is a huge step for you, both personally and academically. It pushes you to think critically, solve complex problems, and explore your interests in a deep and meaningful way. 

Curious about the projects that have made waves in the past? One student developed a low-cost, 3D printed prosthetic hand. Another created a device to detect lead in drinking water.

As you can see, these aren’t just rote school projects (we’re looking at you, lava-spewing volcano). They’re innovations that could change lives (and change the world).

The competition provides a platform where students’ work is seen by experts, scientists, and engineers. It offers a chance for recognition, as well as a powerful opportunity for personal growth. You’ll learn resilience, communication skills, and the confidence that only comes from tackling a challenge head-on.

Picture yourself, presenting your work and getting feedback from professionals that helps you see your project in a whole new light.

That’s JIC.

Can I Work With a Mentor?

As you’re reading this, you might be thinking, “This sounds amazing, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to tackle it on my own.”

Indeed, taking on a big research project can easily feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle with a thousand pieces. You might have a great idea, but feel stuck on how to start your experiment. Or maybe you have your data, but you aren’t sure how to make sense of it all.

This is where a mentor comes in handy. A mentor is your one-on-one guide on your scientific journey, and working with one can be a game-changer.

Having an expert in your corner offers profound advantages. They can help you refine your research question, making sure it’s specific, testable, and original. They’ll introduce you to advanced techniques and tools you might not have access to at school, too.

For example, if your project involves coding, a mentor could help you debug your program. If it’s about biology, they might guide you on proper lab procedures.

Even more importantly, working with a mentor helps build your confidence. Presenting your project to judges can be nerve-wracking, but practicing with a mentor who can ask the tough questions and give constructive feedback will prepare you for the real deal. They’ve been through similar experiences and can share invaluable advice on how to explain your work clearly and compellingly.

How Polygence Can Help

At Polygence, our mission is to connect students like you with experienced mentors who are experts in a wide range of STEM fields, from astrophysics to zoology. 

When you work with a Polygence mentor, you get personalized, one-on-one support tailored to your project. Your mentor will help you develop your idea, plan your research, and prepare for the competition. You’ll also get access to a wealth of resources and tools that can elevate your project to the next level.

Understanding Rules and Regulations

Knowing the rules of play is critical for any competition, and JIC is no exception. Let’s walk through some key requirements you need to be aware of:

Eligibility Requirements

Getting into the JIC all starts at a local level. You must first compete in a science fair that’s affiliated with the Society for Science. There are hundreds of these qualifying fairs across the country, with the top 10% earning a nomination to apply for the JIC. You have to earn your post, which makes the nomination alone a huge accomplishment in itself.

The competition is open to both individual and team projects (up to three members per team). All projects, whether individual or team-based, must follow the International Rules for Pre-College Science Research, which cover everything from safety to ethics. Read them carefully as you design your project. 

The Application Process

Once you’ve earned a nomination, the next step is the online application. Every student must submit their own application, regardless of whether they’re applying as part of a team.

The application window is typically open from early February to mid-June. For 2025, the deadline was June 11th. The application, more than just being a form, is truly your chance to tell the story of your project.

You’ll need to write essays that describe your research process, your findings, and what you learned when investigating your science fair project idea. You will also create a visual aid, like a poster or a short video, to help explain your project. 

Remember: this is your opportunity to showcase your creativity and communication skills. Of course, there's some required paperwork too, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get everything filled out, signed, and squared away.

Ethics and Integrity

Science is a discipline that’s built on trust, and the JIC takes ethics very seriously. Adhering to the highest ethical standards is mandatory. Your data must be genuine and accurately reported, as any form of plagiarism (or presenting someone else’s work as your own) is strictly forbidden.

The competition also has clear guidelines on the use of AI. You cannot use generative AI tools like ChatGPT to write your application essays. Your application must be your own work, in your own words.

Judging Criteria

When it comes time to review your application, what exactly will the judges be looking for? It's not just about having a flashy project. The judges are looking for depth, clarity, and genuine curiosity.

Key Judging Criteria

Originality and creativity are high on the list. The judges want to see a project that tackles a unique question or approaches a familiar problem in a new way (ideally one that shows you taking initiative). Did you identify a problem in your own community and try to solve it? This is what you should focus on.
Scientific rigor is another important factor. This means you followed the scientific method carefully. Your hypothesis is clear, your experiment is well-designed, and your conclusions are supported by data. You’re going above and beyond to demonstrate that you understand the process of scientific inquiry.

Don’t forget about clarity, either. You could have the most brilliant project in the world, but if you can’t explain it clearly, its impact is lost. Your writing, your visual aid, and your overall presentation should be easy to understand. Judges also look for your understanding of the bigger picture. Why does your research matter? What are its potential real-world applications or implications?

Tips for Success

To make your project shine, start early. Don’t wait until the last minute to throw something together. A well-planned project has a much higher chance of success. Give yourself time to brainstorm, research, experiment, and analyze.

Your visual aid is a powerful tool. Make it clear, concise, and visually appealing. It should complement your written application, not just repeat it. Use graphs, charts, and images to help tell your story.

Finally, practice explaining your project. Talk about it with your parents, your teachers, and your friends. Can you explain it to someone who doesn't have a science background? Learning to communicate your ideas to different audiences is a skill that will serve you well far beyond the competition, and this is something your Polygence mentor will gladly help you with.

Awards and Recognition

The journey of creating a JIC project is a reward in itself, but let's be honest, the prizes are pretty amazing too. The competition offers recognition and awards at several levels, from nominee to finalist.

From Nominee to Finalist

Just by earning a nomination from your local fair, you’re already a winner. You’re recognized as being in the top 10% of middle school science and engineering projects in the entire country. That’s a massive achievement.

Everyone who applies to the national competition becomes an official entrant. You'll receive some cool swag, like a t-shirt and a bumper sticker, and you'll become part of the Society for Science alumni network, a membership that will connect you with thousands of like-minded peers.

From the pool of entrants, the judges select the Top 300 Junior Innovators. If you make it to this level, you’ll receive a $125 prize courtesy of DoD STEM, an award ribbon, and subscriptions to Science News Explores and Wolfram|Alpha Notebook Edition. Your teacher gets some recognition too, with a special tote bag and a subscription to Science News Explores.

The excitement peaks with the announcement of the 30 finalists. These students receive a $500 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a week of competition and fun. You'll get to bring one parent or guardian along for the experience.

The Grand Prizes

During the finals week in Washington, D.C., you'll compete for some of the biggest awards in middle school STEM. The top prize is the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award, given to the student who best demonstrates a combination of scientific excellence, leadership, and collaboration.

But that’s not all. There are several other major awards from various sponsors, each worth $10,000:

• The Broadcom Coding with Commitment® Award for a project that combines coding with a commitment to solving a community problem.

• The DoD STEM Talent Award for a project showing excellence in science, technology, engineering, or math.

• The Lemelson Award for Invention for a student who has created a promising invention.

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement for a project with the potential to improve community health.

There are also first and second place awards in each of the STEM categories, a team award, and even a $1,000 grant for each finalist's school to support their STEM programs.

Conclusion: Your Journey Starts Now

Participating in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge is a transformative experience that will take you on a journey of discovery, creativity, and personal growth. You’ll challenge yourself, learn new skills, and connect with a community of innovators who are just as passionate as you are.

Don’t let the big prizes or the national stage intimidate you. Remember, every great scientist started with a single question, and your journey starts with that same spark of curiosity.

You have the power to ask questions, seek answers, and make a difference.

If you’re ready to take the first step, find a Society-affiliated science fair in your area and start brainstorming project ideas. If you’re looking for guidance to help you get started, visit Polygence to connect with a mentor to help you turn your vision into reality. 

Now, then. What big questions will you be asking?