From monkey bars to monument tours, the Thermo Fisher JIC finalists build lasting connections during Finals Week
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC) is the leading STEM competition in the United States for middle school students. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants, the top 30 finalists are some of the top young innovators in the entire nation. This October, they gathered in Washington, D.C. for an unforgettable week.
In addition to presenting their original research to a panel of expert judges, the finalists also took part in a series of team-based challenges requiring both STEM skill and effective collaboration.
So, it should come as no surprise that Thermo Fisher JIC was as much about making friends and building bonds as it was about competing. Throughout the week, the finalists took part in fun, social activities that brought them closer together.
As the week got underway, the finalists immediately had the chance to put their heads and hands together. Through a series of icebreakers and team-building activities, they got to know each other while ro-sham-boing their way through a frenetic rock-paper-scissors tournament, supporting each other (literally) during a modified trust fall and some good old-fashioned conversation.
Later on, the finalists, who represented 10 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, got a first-hand look at the historic sights and scenes around Washington D.C. After a long day of presenting their projects to the judges, as well as to the public during their Science and Engineering Project Showcase, the finalists unwound together on a monument tour around the city. One of this year’s finalists, Yookta Pandit from Dublin, Calif., said, “My favorite part of the monument tour was getting to see the main sights in D.C., especially with all the lights of the monuments at night.”
Finalist Anya Zahira Terón Villodas, one of three finalists visiting from Puerto Rico this year, added, “ Since it was my first time visiting Washington, D.C., I truly enjoyed exploring its historic sites. The tour was a great chance to interact with participants from the other teams.”
Another memorable social highlight of the week was the finalists’ evening trip to LEVEL99, a cooperative arcade where visitors work in teams to solve intricate puzzles and take on challenges. Sound familiar?
With the spirit of teamwork carried over from the earlier competition challenges, the finalists joined forces once again in a fun night of playful intrigue and brain-teasing discovery. Finalist Christine Wang from San Jose, Calif., reflected on the experience saying, “LEVEL99 was such a fun bonding experience! My team of fellow finalists and I worked together on some very physical challenges, which was a nice change from the more mental activities we’d been doing all day; I really enjoyed the monkey bars activity in particular!”
Finalist Brady Sage of Rapid City, S.D., remarked on the outing, “Level99 was exciting because there were so many hands-on challenges. Coming from a rural area, we have nothing like this. I loved the variety of all the different challenges, from mental to physical. It was super cool!”
All-in-all, the finalists repeatedly demonstrated what makes them such a special group: innovative ideas, STEM acumen, and the chance to meet other students who share their curiosity, sparking friendships that could last a lifetime.
Learn about all the 2025 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists on the Virtual Exhibition of Projects or read more about this year’s competition in our latest press release.
