The 2026 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists have more than science in common

Finals Week is coming up soon for the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), and we are excited to welcome the Top 30 finalists to Washington, D.C. at the end of October. It’s going to be an unforgettable week of collaboration, discovery and celebration of their original research. Beyond their research, they bring the same dedication to other interests and pursuits. Here are a few fun facts about these remarkable middle schoolers.

• About 56% of finalists speak more than one language. Beyond English, some finalists speak Spanish, Mandarin, Telugu, Arabic, Russian and more!
• Twenty-two finalists are athletes who participate in sports including swimming, track/cross country, tennis, football, archery, hockey, figure skating and badminton.
• Twenty-two finalists also play an instrument or are in choir.
• Eight finalists are involved in theater or drama clubs and five are in an art club.
• Twelve finalists participate in student council.
• More than half of the finalists participate in community service.

Join us for Public Day on Oct. 24 from 1–3 p.m. at Planet Word Museum to meet the finalists and explore their projects. Learn more about this year’s Top 30 finalists here