STEM education
Every student has the potential to become a STEM innovator, and Thermo Fisher Scientific helps unlock that potential through engaging learning opportunities that support strong academic paths and meaningful careers—especially for students from populations that remain underrepresented in STEM.
Inspiring the next generation of innovators
By advancing access to STEM for students from all backgrounds, we can increase opportunities and foster a future workforce that more fully represents the world around us, ultimately driving innovation that will improve lives while building more resilient communities.
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
students reached through STEM programs
educators reached through STEM programs
community STEM events
Primary school STEM exploration
Our STEM programs and partnerships begin with elementary school students, recognizing that these formative years are critical to sparking curiosity and sustaining long-term interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Through hands-on activities and purposeful collaborations in academic and out-of-school environments, our colleagues help students connect classroom learning to real-world scientific applications. For example, our colleague-developed signature STEM programs—Innovation NationTM and Career Connections—engage students’ sense of discovery while highlighting the capabilities of Thermo Fisher technologies and making connections to STEM careers.
Innovation Nation
Innovation Nation provides free, accessible STEM activities designed for use in classrooms, community settings, at home and volunteer-led events. Many activities are led by Thermo Fisher colleagues, offering students meaningful exposure to real-world STEM professionals. Through these activities, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators and expanding equitable access to STEM learning.
Worksheets and instructional materials explain the science behind each activity and include discussion questions and connections to careers. To connect your community with Thermo Fisher volunteers, contact responsibility@thermofisher.com.
Take advantage of a sampling of free Innovation Nation worksheets and instructional materials below:
- Strawberry DNA Extraction: worksheet, instructional video
- UpCycle a Garden: worksheet
- Chemistry of Slime: worksheet, instructional video
- Paper Chromatography: worksheet, instructional video
- Bubbling Lava: worksheet, instructional video
STEM access with BGCA
We collaborate with organizations that share our dedication to expanding access to STEM education. Since 2016, we’ve partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to connect students from a broad range of backgrounds with high-quality learning experiences that can propel them into thriving STEM careers. In 2025, our colleagues supported youth at more than 20 Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States, inspiring the next generation of innovators through interactive STEM engagement. Colleagues worked side by side with youth on interactive activities, including investigating and engineering different ways to power cars, reinforcing real-world applications of science and engineering concepts.
To learn more about our engagement with BGCA, watch this video.
STEM innovation and competitions
Compared to traditional classroom instruction, hands-on STEM research competitions enable students to apply their curiosity and talents in deeper, more meaningful ways. These experiences foster critical thinking, encourage mentorship and create opportunities for students to collaborate with peers who share a passion for science and discovery.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge™
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC) is the premier middle school STEM competition in the United States, reaching more than 60,000 students nationwide through hundreds of science fairs affiliated with our partner, Society for ScienceTM. During science fair season, Thermo Fisher colleagues and local leaders serve as volunteers, judges, award presenters and STEM activity facilitators to support and engage with local students and their families.
Colleagues and leaders also participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week, where 30 finalists compete for $100,000 in prizes by defending their research and showcasing their communication, creativity, collaboration and leadership skills in team-based STEM challenges—including some that feature Thermo Fisher technologies and experts
To learn more about JIC, watch this video.
Rising STEM innovators
The Thermo Fisher JIC inspires students to follow their personal STEM passions to exciting college and career paths, with the program’s 30 finalists counted among the nation's brightest students. After the competition, finalists and winners are encouraged to inspire their peers to explore STEM topics, engage in research and enter competitions like the Thermo Fisher JIC.
“This year’s winners embody the ingenuity and perseverance that drive progress in STEM and improve lives. We are honored to celebrate these remarkable young thinkers as they advance their scientific research and inspire students of all backgrounds to explore the world through STEM.”
Karen Nelson
Chief Scientific Officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific
JIC Finalists
Secondary school STEM engagement
As students progress into high school, our STEM engagement can support more advanced exploration, real-world application and informed decision-making about future education and careers. Through immersive, hands-on experiences and targeted partnerships, our colleagues help students translate academic learning into practical skills, build confidence in scientific environments and envision themselves as the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
Supporting post-secondary STEM success
We support students throughout their academic journey by expanding access to inclusive STEM learning and career exploration. Through our post-secondary programs and partnerships, we integrate science, technology and cybersecurity into academic experiences, connecting classroom learning with real-world applications.
With mentorship, colleague engagement and hands-on learning, we help students build critical digital and scientific skills and prepare for meaningful careers. This work strengthens a more diverse STEM community and help fuel the innovation needed to solve complex global challenges.
Last updated: July 2026
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue over $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD.
For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com
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