For the second time in its 80-year history, the Regeneron Science Talent Search was held virtually in order to keep finalists and their families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The winners were selected from 1,760 applications received from 611 high schools across 45 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and 10 countries.

Nearly 2,000 young scientists, engineers and innovators from 49 states and 64 countries participated in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair’s first virtual competition. Finalists participated in virtual judging, watched streamed programming and had fun in a virtual world created just for them.

The Broadcom MASTERS took place virtually for a second year, with students competing in team challenges online. The finalists analyzed biodiversity in their local communities, designed clinical trials, constructed gliders and developed functional programs using Raspberry Pis.

The Advocate Program provides training, stipends, equipment and year-round support to mentors working with underrepresented and low-income students interested in entering science research competitions. In 2020–2021 school year, students of the 66 Advocates took part in over 1,000 fairs and competitions.

Science News in High Schools delivers world-class science journalism to classrooms across the United States. The program’s Educator Guides supply teachers with lesson plans that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and further engage students’ curiosity. Over 5 million students and 17,000 educators have participated in the program since its founding.

From bridging gender gaps in STEM fields to combating climate change, the STEM Action Grants program supports organizations doing the vital work of expanding opportunities in STEM for young people across the country.

Through the STEM Research Grants program, the Society provided research kits to 100 middle and high school science educators to help their students conduct scientific research outside the classroom during the 2020–2021 school year. The teachers, who hail from 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, each chose from a selection of 13 high-quality kits valued at $1,000 each.

In the first hybrid High School Research Teachers Conference, high school teachers from around the country gathered online while those living near the Society’s home of Washington, D.C., met in person. The conference welcomed 130 teachers and included peer-led sessions that focused on topics ranging from leading students in independent scientific research to engaging students from underserved communities.

In the midst of a year in which educators were faced with unprecedented challenges, the Society welcomed over 100 teachers from 27 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam to the 2021 Middle School Research Teachers Conference. Participating entirely on a virtual platform, the teachers connected for three interactive days, building community and sharing best practices.

Over the course of the year, the Society’s President & CEO, Maya Ajmera, engaged some accomplished Society alumni in wide-ranging conversations about their personal stories, their life’s work, and their advice for young people interested in pursuing careers in the sciences.

In the Society’s second virtual Signature Event, keynote speaker Tom Gruber, co-founder and CTO of the team that created Siri and founder of Humanistic AI, discussed the potential of AI to augment human intelligence.

In 2021, the Society welcomed four alumni to the National Leadership Council.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, members, donors, subscribers, volunteers and other contributors. We are grateful for your commitment. Together, we put the power and wonder of science into everyone’s hands.

Thank you to all of the companies, foundations and other organizations that provide the Society with significant financial contributions. Your generous support sparks the passion, excitement and wonder in the discoveries taking place all around us.