Fourteen-year-old Tina Jin from San Jose, California, has won the $25,000 ASCEND Award at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC). The award, part of a national STEM competition, celebrates her breakthrough in developing a water filtration system. Tina’s filter uses animal bone waste, making it affordable and accessible.
Tina wanted to tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges—access to clean drinking water. According to global health data, one in three people lacks this basic necessity. She created a solution using natural materials and everyday household items.
The key to Tina’s filter is repurposing animal bones, usually discarded. These bones serve as a crucial component for cleaning water. Third-party San Jose Water Company testing confirmed that her filter meets potable standards.
This design holds promise for communities struggling with water scarcity. With its affordable and scalable filter, Tina’s invention Could bring clean drinking water to needy places. Her project exemplifies the power of STEM to change lives.
Tina demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills throughout the competition. Judges praised her critical thinking and collaborative spirit. These qualities and her technical achievement earned her the ASCEND Award.
The Junior Innovators Challenge is a premier national competition for middle schoolers interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Thermo Fisher Scientific sponsors the program in collaboration with the Society for Science. Their goal is to encourage diverse young talent to pursue STEM careers.
Tina’s success at JIC reflects this mission of broadening access to STEM education. As a middle schooler, her accomplishment demonstrates what young scientists can achieve with dedication and creativity. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s partnership with the Society for Science ensures more students receive these opportunities.
Maya Ajmera, President of the Society for Science, celebrated Tina’s accomplishment. She said Tina’s work showed “exceptional leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.” Ajmera believes Tina’s journey will inspire future innovators.
Tina was not the only talented young scientist at the Junior Innovators Challenge. Other finalists presented groundbreaking ideas addressing significant issues. The competition showcased a diverse group of young scientists ready to tackle complex problems.
Gary Allen Montelongo, also 14, from La Joya, Texas, won the $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment® Award. He focused on train safety and designing models of train suspension systems. His goal is to reduce derailments by studying vibrations and weight distribution.
Using coding and engineering, Gary examined how these factors affect train stability. His project could improve transportation safety. The judges praised his technical skills and community-focused research.
Another winner, Sophie Tong, a 14-year-old from Palo Alto, California, received the $10,000 DoD STEM Talent Award. Sophie aimed to improve safety in vehicles, especially airplanes and self-driving cars. She focused on enhancing visibility during foggy and dark conditions.
She developed algorithms that could help analyze scenes in poor weather. Sophie’s project could significantly impact transportation safety. The judges were impressed by her technical skills and forward-thinking approach.
Fourteen-year-old Samvith Mahadevan from Austin, Texas, received the $10,000 Lemelson Foundation Award for Invention. His project addressed food allergies, a challenge he faced personally. Samvith developed a “chemical nose” using machine learning to detect food allergens.
He trained his device to recognize common allergens like nuts and eggs. This invention could benefit those with severe allergies. His creativity and problem-solving skills stood out in the competition.
Tyler Malkin, also 14 years old, hails from Greenwich, Connecticut, and received the $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement. His project focused on iodine deficiency, a health issue affecting millions. Tyler created a simple saliva test to monitor iodine levels.
This innovation could help people manage iodine deficiency without medical intervention. His approach could transform health monitoring. Judges admired his practical solution to a widespread problem.
Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Junior Innovators Challenge reaches over 65,000 middle school students nationwide. It aims to encourage future STEM leaders to develop their skills. Through the competition, finalists engage in hands-on projects that test their critical thinking and collaboration abilities.
From nearly 2,000 applicants, 30 finalists were selected to compete in Washington, D.C. They participated in both individual and team challenges designed to develop practical skills. These included diagnosing diseases, automating systems with Raspberry Pi, and analyzing ecosystems.
Each finalist received guidance from mentors throughout the competition. They learned teamwork, communication, and project management—critical skills for a STEM career. By focusing on real-world problems, the challenges prepared them for future STEM endeavors.
Beyond the awards, all finalist schools received a $1,000 grant for STEM programming. This financial support enables schools to expand their science education offerings. Thermo Fisher Scientific aims to empower schools and students with better access to STEM resources.
The company’s investment in JIC reflects its commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. Thermo Fisher’s focus on inclusion helps bring diverse voices into the scientific community. Their partnership with the Society for Science seeks to inspire students from various backgrounds.
These awards go beyond financial recognition. They allow winners to continue their education and grow their skills. First-place winners in science, technology, engineering, and math received $3,500. Second-place winners received $2,500 and opportunities to attend STEM summer camps.
Students also received iPads as part of the competition prizes. These resources allow them to keep exploring STEM fields outside the classroom. The competition aims to support students in achieving their long-term educational goals.
As these young innovators continue their education, they have already made a mark in the STEM world. Their contributions address real-world challenges that impact millions. Their projects demonstrate the power of young scientists to make a difference.
Thermo Fisher Scientific believes in the transformative potential of STEM education. Through the Junior Innovators Challenge, they support students with the curiosity and drive to solve global issues. The competition shows how young minds can push the boundaries of science and technology.
The achievements of these finalists underscore the importance of STEM education for society’s future. They remind us that innovation can come from anywhere, even in middle school classrooms. Programs like JIC build a foundation for the future by fostering this talent.
These students are poised to lead the next generation of scientists and engineers. Their projects reflect a commitment to tackling complex problems with creativity and skill. They exemplify the promise and potential of STEM fields to improve lives and change the world.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge allows students to explore their interests. For young innovators like Tina Jin, this competition represents the start of a journey. Their discoveries today could shape a better tomorrow.