Meet the Innovators: Young STEM Champion Develops Affordable Water Purification Method

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge saw over 65,000 middle schoolers compete for a $100,000 prize pool. Among the top winners was 13-year-old Tina Jin, who developed an innovative, nearly zero-cost water purification method using leftover animal bones. Her work addresses a critical global need for clean drinking water, especially in under-resourced areas, and earned her $25,000 and national recognition. Maya Ajmera, CEO of Society for Science, emphasized the importance of fostering STEM interest in middle school, a pivotal time for inspiring the next generation of innovators. Learn more about the competition and finalist projects at societyforscience.org.