Three Plano ISD middle schoolers have been recognized among the nation’s brightest young scientists, landing spots in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) Top 300.
The competition, presented by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Society for Science & the Public, is considered the country’s premier STEM contest for middle school students. Nearly 1,900 applicants from 34 states and Puerto Rico entered after placing in the top 10% of Society-affiliated science fairs. From this pool, the Top 300 were selected.
The Local Honorees
The Plano ISD students named to the Top 300 include:
- Matthew Kuo, Renner Middle School (now a 9th grader at Jasper High School), project title: Factors Affecting Fuel Cell Energy Efficiency
- Terri Lv, Rice Middle School, project title: Synthesis and Quantum Effect Desmos of the Superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O₇₋ₓ (YBCO)
- Rajveer Savla, Rice Middle School (now a 9th grader at Jasper High School), project title: Creating Environmentally Friendly Biodegradable Plastics Using Potato Peels
Each student will receive a $125 award from the Department of Defense STEM Education Consortium.
What’s Next
On September 17, a panel of scientists, engineers and educators will narrow the group down to the Top 30 finalists. Those selected will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will present their projects and take part in team-based STEM challenges. Awards include a $25,000 grand prize, $10,000 scholarships, and stipends for STEM summer camps.
National Stage, Local Pride
Plano ISD celebrated the recognition in an official statement, calling the honorees part of a national movement to “inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve the challenges of the 21st Century.”…