Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators

The Great Falls College MSU Regional Middle School Science Fair is affiliated with the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge a program of the Society for Science & the Public. Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC nominations are available to the top 10% of the estimated middle school (grades 6, 7, & 8) participants. Nominees complete the Thermo Fisher JIC online application. Entries are judged during the summer, and in early fall, the Top 300 students are named. 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.

Grades eligible: 6-8 

Citizens for Clean Energy 

The Great Falls-based Citizens for Clean Energy organization (ccemontana.org) wishes to recognize science fair projects that focus on innovative renewable energy production and carbon emissions mitigation. Qualifying student projects may receive certificates and monetary awards of $40-$120. Students who wish to be considered for a CCE Merit Award are strongly encouraged to include wording in their project title or project description that identifies a clean energy or climate change solution theme.

Grades eligible: 6-12  

DoD STEM Leadership Prize

Sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD), the $100 "DoD STEM Leadership Prize" is given at 30 Broadcom MASTERS-affiliated middle school science fairs serving military-impacted areas in 2020. DoD STEM strives to grow a diverse pool of talented STEM professionals to meet the workforce needs of the future. The prize consists of a $100 award and a certificate acknowledging the middle school student or team demonstrates excellence in STEM, as well as the problem-solving skills and determination to overcome challenges throughout the research project. 

Grades eligible: 6-8

Lemelson Early Inventor Prize

In partnership with The Lemelson Foundation, the Society for Science & the Public is offering a $100 prize to a 6th-8th grade inventor creating a promising solution to real-world problems.

The award winner will:
• Demonstrate problem-solving by identifying a critical problem.
• Apply empathy and STEM knowledge to find a practical solution.
• Display entrepreneurial thinking by developing a tangible method, process or device.
• Develop an invention to solve a critical societal problem and improve the lives of others.
• Ideally, exemplify environmentally-responsible thinking in their research and creation of the product.

Grades eligible: 6-8

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Awarded to the student whose research emphasizes NOAA's mission of Science, Service, and Stewardship: "To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, To share that knowledge and information with others, and To conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources."

Grades eligible: 6-12

Naval Science Award

(Individual Projects ONLY - Team Projects NOT Eligible)

The Naval High School Science Awards Program (NSAP) is a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps program that encourages our nation's students to develop and retain an interest in science and engineering. NSAP recognizes the accomplishments of eligible students at regional and state science and engineering fairs and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in producing and presenting quality science and engineering projects.

Criteria

Grades eligible: 6-12