Supporting Middle School Students Through Science Fair: From Project Ideation to National Opportunities
This guide is for educators supporting middle school students with research projects who want to learn more about guiding their students through the science fair process, from research project ideation, to entering your local science fair, and finally learning about the premier STEM research competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the United States– The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge®.
Format
Online
Course
Completion Style
Asynchronous
Focus
Science Fair & Competition Guide
Includes
Resources & Procedures
Audience
Educators
Price
Free
This course is intended to support middle school educators who mentor students through the science fair process, beginning with supporting your students as they begin research, then entering science fair, and finally exploring national opportunities. This guide seeks to reduce barriers to science fair for all middle school students by providing specific resources and guidance to help increase educator understanding of the science fair process.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge® is the premier STEM research competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the United States. Nearly 300 Society-affiliated science fairs have the opportunity to name their top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students as nominees for the national competition each year.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge® is the premier STEM research competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the United States. Nearly 300 Society-affiliated science fairs have the opportunity to name their top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students as nominees for the national competition each year.
Nominees complete the Thermo Fisher JIC online application, which is open from February to June. Entries are judged during the summer, and in early fall, the Top 300 Junior Innovators are announced. From among the Top 300, 30 students are selected as finalists and win an all-expense-paid trip to the national finals week in Washington, DC to showcase their projects, compete in teams and visit historical sites and organizations that celebrate innovation. The top prize is a $25,000 education award with numerous other awards and prizes offered throughout the process to both students and educators.
