Our Vision: Every Young Person Can Become a Scientist or Engineer

¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ is committed to expanding access to high-quality ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ education for all students. Increasing ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ literacy empowers students with the critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary to live healthy, civically engaged and economically productive lives. The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ was founded on the belief that science literacy is essential to a well-functioning society – that fact holds true now more than ever.

ISEF 2024 - Los Angeles, CA - Education Outreach/Public Day @ISEF - the International Science and Engineering Fair
ISEF 2024 - Los Angeles, CA - Education Outreach/Public Day @ISEF - the International Science and Engineering Fair Chris Ayers Photography/Licensed by ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ

With one quarter of US jobs in ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ fields – and job growth in this sector predicted to outpace non-¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ fields – it is vital that all students have an opportunity to explore and experience ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ.
Those who gain an interest in ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ must have an opportunity to pursue their passion, which can open the door to high-paying ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ careers. It is the only way to build the strong and diverse ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ talent pipeline necessary to solve our global challenges and ensure a thriving economy.

stem research grant grid

Our ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Outreach Programs

Through the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµâ€™s ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Outreach Programs, we seek to ensure that any student can become a scientist or engineer if that’s what they want to do. We work to reach young people across the country – in every state and in urban and rural areas, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Science News Learning

Through Science News Learning, the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ is expanding student science literacy across the U.S. by supporting a community of nearly 6,000 middle and high schools and more than 17,000 educators with equitable access to Science News Media Group’s award-winning print and online journalism, an expansive library of ready-to-use lesson plans – each designed to incorporate recent applications in ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ research into core curricula – and ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ literacy professional development opportunities. This program operates in every state in U.S. and is open to all.

 

High School and Middle School Research Teachers Conferences

Through the High School and Middle School Research Teachers Conferences, the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ brings together research teachers of all experience levels to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges and learn more about ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ and the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Popular sessions have touched on supporting students in research communication and strategies for managing research projects. Participants in this all-expenses-paid, peer-led conference are selected via a lottery. Any ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ teacher, regardless of where they live or where they teach, is invited to apply.

Advocate Program

The Advocate Program is a  year-long professional development program that supports teachers and mentors who are working to increase the number of students who enter ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ research competitions. The Advocates receive training and support from ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ staff, mentorship, a stipend, and an all-expense-paid trip to attend the Advocate Training Institute in Washington, D.C.. Educators across the country who want to expand scientific research in their schools are encouraged to apply.

¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Research Grants

The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Research Grant program is an initiative dedicated to expanding inquiry-driven science education in middle and high school classrooms nationwide. The grants come in two forms: (1) research kits assembled and distributed to teachers by ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ and (2) funds paid directly to teachers intended for ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ equipment. ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ educators whose classrooms would benefit from additional equipment are encouraged to apply.

¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Action Grants

The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Action Grants program provides small grants of up to $5,000 to innovative nonprofit organizations led by social entrepreneurs. The program aims to bolster and support community-driven nonprofit organizations that are working to enhance the public’s understanding of science and to increase participation in ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ for all communities.

 

Our ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Competitions

The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµâ€™s three ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ competitions – the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) – are all merit-based competitions. The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ is continually seeking to expand the number of students who apply to Regeneron STS or compete in one of the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµâ€™s Affiliated ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ Fairs so that they can earn a spot to participate in Regeneron ISEF or apply to Thermo Fisher JIC

2024 ISEF project floor on Public Day, Los Angeles, CA
¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ/Chris Ayers

Our Impact

¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ has built the largest ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ talent pipeline in the world.

We start with building science literacy, then cultivating the future of ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ talent and lastly – through our competitions – inspiring and engaging the next generation of ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ talent.