BioME Student Showcase

BioME Student Showcase is an exciting 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.

Students will have the opportunity to network with peers, learn about entrepreneurial resources in the state of Maine, and connect with potential employers in all areas of bioscience. 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.

The 2020 BioME Student Showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, from 2:00PM-5:30PM followed by BioME Spring Networking, from 5:30PM-7PM, at Cloudport CoWorking MultiSpace at 61 Federal St, Portland ME.

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.

Agenda

2:00-2:30    Registration & poster setup
2:30-4:00    Poster competition – Maine BioGENEius Challenge
4:00-4:15    Coffee/ Snack break
4:15-5:30   Pitch competition
5:30-7:00  Spring Networking Reception & Winners announcement and Awards presentation

REGISTER SOON

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 in San Diego, CA on June 8-11, 2020. Travel costs will be covered for the winner and ONE chaperone.

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

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 ONLINE here by March 20, 2020. Make sure to select “Maine” on the form.

STEP 4: BioME will contact you by March 27, 2020 if your project has qualified for the Maine finals. Judges will identify 16 finalists for the Showcase.

STEP 5: If qualified, you must present your poster at the BioME Student Showcase on April 15, 2020.

STEP 6: BioME judges will pick and announce the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners at the BioME Student Showcase on April 15, 2020.

High School Poster Competition Prizes:

1st prize: $700, and an opportunity to represent Maine in the BioGENEius Challenge finals in San Diego, CA, June 8-11, 202o, all travel costs will be covered for the student and one chaperone.
2nd prize: $500
3rd prize: $300

The first prize recipient must be available during June 8-11, 2020, and be willing to go to the BioGENEius finals in San Diego. In the event that the winner is unable to go due to special circumstances, the runner up (2nd prize) will represent Maine in San Diego. Read last year’s Maine BioGENEius winner’s finals experience HERE.

For detailed information on Maine BioGENEius challenge, please review the Maine page on the BioGENEius website.

College Students/Fast Pitch Competition

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

The audience will consist of 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.

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.

To apply, please submit your resume and a 1-page overview of your research focus to info@mainebioscience.org no later than March 20, 2020. You will be notified by March 27, 2020, whether your project qualifies for the competition. There will be 10 finalists presenting their pitches.

STEP 3: 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 4: Present your project at the BioME Student Showcase on April 15, 2020.

STEP 5: BioME judges will pick 3 winners at the event (1st, 2nd and 3rd prize).

Fast Pitch Competition Prizes:

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

Opportunities & Additional Information

Opportunities:

  • Participate and network with life science executives, scientists and start up resources while competing at the BioME Student Showcase, the International BioGENEius Challenge and the BIO International Convention (high school winner only)
  • Add the prestigious career-building competitions to your resume and college application
  • Win cash and item prizes

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
  • BioME Spring Networking Reception will follow. This is a free event and all competitors, and their guests, are invited to participate. Winners will be announced during the reception.
  • To attend the event as a guest, please register above (registration opens soon!)
  • View photos from 2019