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Thirty outstanding middle school scientists, engineers and innovators named finalists in Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge

Headshots of the 30 finalists in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
Headshots of the 30 finalists in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

Representing 14 states, finalists will compete in Washington, D.C.,Ìýfor more than $100,000 in awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 18, 2024) – ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç today announced the 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç) competition. The Thermo Fisher JIC, a program of ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç, aims to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators who will solve the grand challenges of the future.

The 30 finalists were selected by a nationwide panel of scientists, engineers and educators from the Top 300 Junior Innovators announced earlier this month. The finalists will participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week (Oct. 25–30) in Washington, D.C., where a panel of judges will evaluate their scientific research along with their communication, creativity and collaboration skills during team challenges.

“Congratulations to the Top 30 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists,†said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç and Executive Publisher of Science News. “Their innovative projects showcase the bright future of ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç. These young people remind us of the importance of nurturing scientific curiosity from an early age and investing in ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç education.â€

Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship of the Junior Innovators Challenge continues its longstanding commitment to widespread and equitable access to ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç education. Together with ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç, Thermo Fisher is helping to increase the number of students who enter the competition and nurture a future ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç talent pool that is more diverse than ever.

“This year’s Thermo Fisher JIC finalists and their impressive projects serve as inspiration to any young person with an interest in ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç,” said Dr. Karen Nelson, Chief Scientific Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “As a company committed to nurturing a ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç workforce that reflects the world around us, we hope all finalists bring this remarkable experience back to their communities to help spark passion and confidence among future competitors.â€

Thermo Fisher JIC finalist fast facts:

  • They represent 14 states, led by California and Texas.
  • The most popular project category is Environmental & Earth Sciences.
  • More than half identify as female.

A full list of the finalists can be viewed here: /jic/2024-finalists/

Thermo Fisher JIC reaches 65,000 students annually through the ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç’s Affiliated Fair Network. Students who are named in the top 10% of their local affiliated science fair are eligible to enter the Thermo Fisher JIC, the only middle school ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç competition that leverages ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç-affiliated science fairs as a critical component of the ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç 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 the following awards:

  • $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award, which will go to the student who demonstrates mastery of all ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç fields and exemplifies how research, innovation and teamwork come together to impact our everyday lives.
  • $10,000ÌýBroadcom Coding with Commitment® Award, presented to a finalist whose project and performance combines expert ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç knowledge and passion for helping or improving one’s community through computation/coding.
  • $10,000 DoD ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç Talent Award, which will be awarded to a finalist who demonstrates excellence in science, technology, engineering or math, along with the leadership and technical skills necessary to excel in the 21st century ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç workforce.
  • $10,000 Lemelson Foundation Award for Invention, awarded by The Lemelson Foundation to a young inventor creating promising solutions to real-world problems.
  • $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, which recognizes the student whose work and performance show the most promise in health-related fields and demonstrates an understanding of the many social factors that affect the health of communities.
  • First and Second Place Awards issued in each category of ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç of $3,500 or $2,500, respectively, to be used toward a ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç summer camp experience.
  • Team Award, sponsored by Teaching Institute for Excellence in ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç (TIES), which awards a $200 gift card to a science supply company in support of their interests in ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç to each member of the team that best demonstrates an ability to work together and solve problems through shared decision making, communication and scientific and engineering collaboration.

Thermo Fisher JIC recognizes finalists’ schools with $1,000 each to use toward ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç activities.

About ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç

ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its outreach and equity programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at  and follow us on ,Ìý,Ìý and Snapchat (ÒùÈËÉ«ÓûÉç4Science).

Kevin Easterly