BioME Student Showcase on April 27, 2022 at Cloudport CoWorking MultiSpace in Portland, ME

An opportunity for Maine high school and college students to show off their passion for life science, and present their research for a chance to win cash and academic prizes. The goal of this event is to support innovation and commercialization of student ideas in Maine, as well as connect current students with potential future employers and entrepreneurial resources in the state. Application deadline extended to April 7, 2022.

Agenda

2:00-2:30PM   Registration & Poster Setup
2:30-4:00PM   High School Poster Competition – Maine BioGENEius Challenge
4:00-5:00PM   Coffee/Snack Break & High School BioGENEius Challenge Winners Announcement
5:00-6:00PM   College Fast-Pitch Competition
6:00-7:00PM   College Fast-Pitch Winners Announcement & Mini Reception

BioME Student Showcase features TWO competition categories: (1) high school students (grades 9-12) and (2) college students (undergraduate and graduate). Students must be enrolled in Maine educational institutions to participate. Judges for the BioME Student Showcase include Maine scientists, entrepreneurs, academia and start-up/commercialization experts.

High School Poster Competition (BioGENEius Challenge)

BioME is the official local partner for the BioGENEius Challenge, a prestigious international biotech competition for grades 9-12. The high school winner of BioME Student Showcase will automatically qualify to compete against international students in the BioGENEius Challenge Finals during the BIO International Convention.

The Maine BioGENEius Challenge is open to any student in grade 9-12 attending public, private or home school in Maine.

We are currently planning for an in-person event on April 27. Please note that the event may go virtual due to the pandemic participants will present their poster in a virtual Zoom interview to judges.

How to compete in the Maine BioGENEius Challenge

STEP 1: Identify your life sciences research project, focused on health care, agriculture or industrial/ environmental biotechnology. Only individual projects will be accepted (no teams).

STEP 2: Present your research findings on a poster. Please follow the poster guidelines closely.

STEP 3: Apply to. enter the BioGENEius Challenge by submitting an application and PDF of your poster online HERE by Thursday, April 7, 2022. Make sure to select “Maine” on the form.

STEP 4: You will be notified via email by April 12, 2022 if your project has qualified for the competition. Judges will identify 12 finalists for the Showcase.

STEP 5: Individual presentations/ interviews will take place at the BioME Student Showcase on April 27, 2022 at Cloudport CoWorking MultiSpace in Portland, ME.

STEP 6: BioME judges will decide and announce the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place high school winners for the BioME Student Showcase (Maine BioGENEius Challenge).

High School Competition Awards

1st place: $700, and an opportunity to represent Maine in the International BioGENEius Challenge finals at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, CA on June 13-16, 2022. More details below.
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $300

College Fast Pitch Competition

The Fast Pitch Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Maine academic institutions. Participants will share their life science-focused research project through a 3-minute pitch. Up to 5 slides can be displayed during the presentation.

The audience will consist of  judges, fellow students, entrepreneurial and start up resources’ representatives, scientists and bioscience professionals. A presentation at the BioME Student Showcase is an amazing opportunity to share your passion, and research findings, to a network of professionals who may help you commercialize your idea.

We are currently planning for an in-person event on April 27. Please note that the event may go virtual due to the pandemic and the college portion of the event will be moved to April 28. If the event takes place virtually, participants will share their research virtually via Zoom video conference with all judges and finalists.

How to compete in the Fast Pitch Competition

STEP 1: Identify your life sciences-focused research project. Think big. The potential for commercialization is strongly encouraged. Both individual and team projects are accepted for the Fast Pitch Competition.

STEP 2: Apply to enter the Fast Pitch Competition by submitting your resume and a 1-page overview of your research focus to info@mainebioscience.org by April 7, 2022.

STEP 3: You will be notified via email by April 12, 2022 if your project has qualified for the competition. Judges will identify 10 college finalists for the Showcase.

STEP 4: If qualified, prepare a 3-minute oral pitch. You may also prepare up to 5 slides for your presentation. For team projects, only one or two students can pitch during the 3 minute time period.

STEP 5: Present your research project at the BioME Student Showcase on April 27, 2022 at Cloudport CoWorking MultiSpace in Portland, ME.

STEP 6: BioME judges will decide and announce 1st, 2nd and 3rd place college winners for the BioME Student Showcase (Fast Pitch Competition).

College Competition Awards

1st place: $2,000
2nd place: $1,000
3rd place: $500

Opportunities and Additional Information

Event Details

Location: Cloudport CoWorking MultiSpace, 63 Federal St, Portland, ME 04101
Date & Time: April 27, 2022 from 2:00PM-7:00PM (see agenda above).
Notes for Participants: Please note that attending the entire event is optional as high school and college presentations are at separate times. Additionally, please let us know if you will be bringing guest(s) – family, friends, professors and mentors are welcome.

BioGENEius Challenge Finals Details

  • The 1st place recipient for the High School Poster Poster Competition/ Maine BioGENEius Challenge will automatically qualify to compete against international students in the BioGENEius Challenge Finals during the BIO International Convention.
  • The BIO International Convention will be held in San Diego, CA on June 13-16, 2022.
  • Travel expenses will be covered for recipient and 1 chaperone.
  • The 1st place recipient must be available during June 13-16, 2022 and be willing to present at the BioGENEius Challenge Finals at the BIO International Convention San Diego, CA.
  • In the event that the winner is unable to participate due to special circumstances, the runner up (2nd place) will represent Maine.
  • The 1st place recipient at the BioGENEius Challenge Finals will be awarded $7,500.
  • See guests posts on our blog to read about the Maine BioGENEius finalists’ experiences in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
  • For detailed information on Maine BioGENEius challenge, please review the Maine page on the BioGENEius website.

Information for Top Finalists

  • Checks will be mailed within 1 week after the event.
  • Please note that if this event goes virtual, all Zoom presentations will be recorded and may be posted on our website.
  • When submitting your applications, please make sure to include a valid mailing address

Additional Information

  • The audience will consist of scientists, bioscience professionals, academia, BioME member companies, economic development institutions’ representatives, and other members of bioscience community in Maine
  • Students, teachers, professors and parents/guardians are encouraged to participate
  • Read blogs about the BioME Student Showcase from previous years – 2021, 2020, 2019.

Sponsored by