BioME Student Showcase

BioME Student Showcase will be held virtually on April 28-29, 2021.

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. 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.

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 Digital International Convention. Please note that the BIO International Convention will either be held virtually in 2021.

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: Please submit an application and PDF of your poster online HERE by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Make sure to select “Maine” on the form.

STEP 4: BioME will contact you by April 7, 2021 if your project has qualified for the Maine finals. Judges will identify 12 finalists for the Showcase.

STEP 5: If qualified, individual virtual presentations/interviews will take place on April 28, 2021.

STEP 6: BioME judges will pick and announce the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners for the virtual BioME Student Showcase on April 30, 2021 at noon on our website.

High School Poster Competition Prizes:

1st prize: $700, and an opportunity to represent Maine in the International BioGENEius Challenge finals virtually on June 10-11 & 14-18, 2021. (International Challenge Award 1st place received $7,500).
2nd prize: $500
3rd prize: $300

The first prize recipient must be available during June 10-11 & 14-18, 2021, and be willing to virtually present at the BioGENEius finals. In the event that the winner is unable to participate due to special circumstances, the runner up (2nd prize) will represent Maine. 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 virtually via Zoom video conference with all judges and finalists. You will be sharing your screens and presenting your 3-minute pitch at this time. 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 by March 31, 2021. You will be notified by April 7, 2021, 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 virtually, via Zoom Conference on April 29, 2021.

STEP 5: BioME judges will pick 3 winners at the event (1st, 2nd and 3rd prize). Winners will be announced on April 30, at noon on our website.

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
  • Read the blog from 2020 – BioME Hosts Student Showcase virtually

Information for BioME Student Showcase Top Finalists

  • Winners will be announced on April 30 at noon on our website.
  • Certificates and checks will be mailed within 5 business days from April 30.
  • Winners are asked to take selfies or photos holding certificates and email them to us by May 6. These photos will be posted on our blog and newsletter.
  • Please note that 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.
  • Please note that participation in BioGENEius Challenge Finals at the BIO International Convention will be held virtually in 2021.

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