August 29, 2022 – The Society for Science (Society) and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that Thermo Fisher will be the new title sponsor of the Society’s middle school STEM competition, the nation’s premier STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) competition. Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship begins in 2023, making it only the third title sponsor in the competition’s 25-year history.
Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship of the competition continues its longstanding commitment to widespread and equitable access to STEM education. For decades, Thermo Fisher has invested in school-based STEM programs, and colleagues across the company dedicate thousands of volunteer hours each year to support education efforts around the world.
“The Society for Science is thrilled to be naming Thermo Fisher as the title sponsor for our middle school competition,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science and Publisher of Science News. “Investments like this have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact on our future workforce. Through this competition, the Society and Thermo Fisher can impact young people at a critical time in their development. The Society thanks Thermo Fisher for its ongoing commitment to ensure that high-quality STEM education is accessible and to reward our nation’s top middle school talent.”
Across the U.S., students compete in the nearly 275 middle school science fairs that are affiliated with the Society. The top 10 percent of projects submitted by sixth, seventh and eighth grade students earn the opportunity to apply for the Society’s national competition, hosted annually in Washington, D.C. The Society’s extensive fair network ensures students are able to engage in project-based STEM learning no matter where they live or the resources available in their community. Thermo Fisher’s investment enables the Society to expand its competition outreach to more communities, ensuring that students served, teachers reached and nominees converted to national competitors are more representative of the U.S. population.
“Partnering with organizations such as the Society for Science is a natural extension of our efforts to advance STEM education. Bringing this program to additional communities ensures a more diverse group of students are exposed to STEM and helps expand the future STEM talent pool,” said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Early exposure to STEM enables young learners to adapt to tomorrow’s challenges and contribute to scientific advancement, as well as to our wellbeing as a society. I am very proud that Thermo Fisher can help inspire future STEM leaders.”