The 2021 Broadcom MASTERS ventured outdoors during this year’s Smithsonian Environmental Research Center challenge. The finalists set up trail cameras, collected data and learned about biodiversity in their communities.

This year, the Broadcom MASTERS middle school competition is being held virtually. Despite continued obstacles brought on by the pandemic, the top 30 finalists are meeting challenges head-on and are excited to participate in finals week. Each of the Broadcom MASTERS 2021 finalists received laptops, webcams, backdrops and lighting kits to ensure they all have the technology they need throughout the competition. The finalists also received swag boxes, complete with competition t-shirts, sunglasses, facemasks and more. With guidance from Society staff, the nation’s top 30 middle school scientists and engineers are gearing up for finals week.

Two Texas middle school students were inspired to find a way to harness methane gas released from compost and turn it into energy.

This year’s top 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists have overcome several setbacks and obstacles to continue their exploration of STEM. Their projects showcase their efforts.

According to the American Bird Conservancy, the best estimates of the number of birds killed by wind turbines in the U.S. each year are based on three significant studies published in 2013 and 2014. Because each study was unique in its methods, estimated results vary from an average of 234,000 to 573,000 bird deaths per year. These bird deaths are caused by collisions with wind turbines and other structures such as power lines as well as by the disturbance and displacement of birds when wind facilities are built.