Read more about the 2024 finalists’ projects as inspiration for your students to start thinking about ideas on their own.

Science News Explores publishes stories about recent research and current events across the full breadth of STEM fields. The articles are written for readers grades 5 and up, and many are paired to Science News articles appropriate for readers grades 9 and up. Allow your students to explore the articles while looking for a research topic or combine it with the Experiences Planner to help them dive deeper.

Once your students have chosen a topic, help them learn more about conducting research! From finding inspiration, to learning about experimental research, and guidance on topics like large datasets, we have the tools for you.

Use this planner to help your students explore STEM through Science News Explores articles and videos. They can use  the experiences planner to describe their favorite takeaways and start thinking about topics they want to continue investigating.

Help your students consider their STEM interests and future potential with this STEM story graphic organizer.

This is a great activity for students to step into the shoes of a journalist to explore project design, the impact of science research, and pathways to creating a STEM research project. Use the journalist notebook to help students do background research on three alumni student scientists’ projects.

If your student is interested in conducting a science project or has already been nominated for the 2025 Thermo Fisher JIC, review this document with them to make sure their project follows our rules.

View this PDF of the Thermo Fisher JIC application with your student nominees to go over the questions asked and make a plan for completing each section. If your students weren’t nominated but you want to challenge them to use critical thinking and the scientific method, you can take the questions from this PDF and tailor them to your goals.

Help your students understand what kind of safety measures, pre-approvals and paperwork, if any, they need depending on the type of research they conduct. This is especially important for nominees who are applying to the 2025 Thermo Fisher JIC but may be helpful for all students participating in science fair.

The Society hosts a Middle School Research Teachers Conference each year. If you’re interested in professional development and want to learn more about helping your students develop research projects and enter competitions, click here to enter the conference lottery and learn more!

Learn more about opportunities to mentor students through our Advocate Program!

The STEM Action Grant Program provides small grants of up to $5,000 to innovative nonprofit organizations led by social entrepreneurs

Teachers can apply for up to $5,000 in order to purchase specialized equipment or $1,000 in preselected equipment including Arduino starter kits, camera traps, and PocketLab sensors.