A new generation of STEM stars has been recognized by the Society for Science in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the nation’s premier science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for middle school students.
Each year roughly 67,000 middle school students compete in their local science fairs across the country. Top performers move on to their regional and state competitions where they are nominated by teams of STEM experts to compete at the national level. Chosen from a pool of nearly 2,000 national nominees across 48 states and U.S. territories, the Top 300 Junior Innovators are named and represent the brightest young minds tackling issues from sustainability and disease detection to artificial intelligence and space exploration.
For the first time ever, three Wilton students have received this prestigious honor for their projects:
- Bennett Norful — “Cell Shield: Investigating materials to block non-ionizing radiation emitted from common cell phones.”
- Kabir Rokkam and Alex Shiue — “A bone to pick with ocean acidification: Bone meal, a substrate that supports phytoplankton growth and helps reduce ocean acidification.”
Organizers of the annual Middlebrook Science and Engineering Fair said that the selection of these three students reflects not only their individual creativity and dedication but also the strength of the Wilton School District’s ongoing commitment to STEM education.
The annual Middlebrook Science and Engineering fair is held every January showcasing over 100 students and their projects. The fair is open to the public and sponsored by the Wilton Education Foundation and the Middlebrook PTA.