The Harvard Undergraduate Research JournalJunior science & Engineeringcompetition 2027
For Grades K-5 Students
Step into:
This challenge is for you if you're interested in:
- You're interested in STEM
- You want to challenge yourself and compete globally
- You want to build a solid STEM profile
Summary
Online challenge with multiple choice and fill-in the blank questions
Present science solution through recorded video
Present science solution live on zoom
2-5 students from the same school
Lower Primary (Grades K-2) and Upper Primary (Grades 3-5)
Option to participate in World STEM League
About The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal
The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is Harvard’s sole peer-reviewed undergraduate research journal. Founded in 2007, THURJ strives to publicize and spread recognition of original work by undergraduates in Harvard’s undergraduate programs.
THURJ showcases peer-reviewed undergraduate student research from all research disciplines, including the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities
About the World STEM League
THURJ Junior Science & Engineering Competition is part of the World STEM League. In the League, students compete across multiple competitions throughout the League Year, allowing them to:
- practice repeatedly
- track their improvement over time
- collaborate with teammates across competitions
This creates a cycle of growth: compete, learn, refine, and improve.
Fostering Curiosity and Real-World STEM Learning
The THURJ Junior Science & Engineering Competition is designed as an enriching introduction to STEM that nurtures curiosity, reinforces classroom learning, and encourages students to think beyond the textbook.
The experience begins with a grade-level-appropriate online challenge aligned with core math and science concepts. Students then engage in developing solutions to real-world problems through drawing, building, and creative thinking, before sharing their ideas through a poster for the lower primary category and simple presentations for the upper primary category.
Each stage is intentionally structured to build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and foster interest and curiosity in STEM.
Why Join the THURJ Junior Science & Engineering Competition?
Encourage curiosity and develop comfort with problem-solving
Deepen understanding by applying classroom knowledge
Explore real-world challenges in an age-appropriate way
How does the challenge work?
Team size
Team size: 2-5 students per team (all team members must be from the same school)
Age Categories
Grades K–2
Grades 3–5
What do teams need to do?
Lower Primary School Category: Focuses on number awareness and foundational math concepts, along with simple logic questions that develop early reasoning skills.
Upper Primary School Category: Based on math and science concepts students are learning in school, combined with logic problems that build confidence and problem-solving skills.
Lower Primary School Category: Semi-finalist teams will have one week to create a poster with a solution to a science problem.
Upper Primary School Category: Semi-finalist teams will have one week to develop a solution to a science problem and present their work through a recorded 5-minute video.
Finalist teams will have one week to refine and improve their solutions from the semi-final round based on judges’ feedback, and present their final solution to a judging panel.
Key dates and deadlines
Registration Deadlines and Participation Fees
Deadline: October 18, 2026
Fees: US$35 per student
Deadline: January 18, 2027
Fees: US$45 per student
Deadline: February 18, 2027
Fees: US$55 per student
Competition format
Preliminary round: Online Challenge
The preliminary round is open to all registered teams worldwide
- Asia Pacific: 12:00 noon Tokyo Time
- Europe, Middle East, Africa: 9:00 am London Time
- North America, South America: 11:00 am New York Time
- Lower Primary School Category: 45 minutes
- Upper Primary School Category: 1 hour
- Online challenge (multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and free-response questions)
Focuses on number awareness and foundational math concepts, along with simple logic questions that develop early reasoning skills.
Based on math and science concepts students are learning in school, combined with logic problems that build confidence and problem-solving skills.
- Each team member will individually attempt the same set of challenge
- The top two scores will be used to calculate the team’s total score
Semi-final round: Poster / video
The top 3 performing teams from each grade level in the preliminary round (18 teams in total) will be invited to compete in the global semi-final round
Semi-finalist teams will have one week to create a poster with a solution to a science problem.
Semi-finalist teams will have one week to develop a solution to a science problem and present their work through a recorded 5-minute video.
Final round: live Zoom presentation
The top 5 performing team from the preliminary round in each of the Lower Primary and Upper Primary Categories will be invited to compete in the global final round
Recognition
All participants will receive a Certificate for participation
Preliminary Round
Honor
Merit
Semi FinalistSemi- Final Round
Finalist
Individual CategoryTop participants will receive individual honors, even if their teams may not win any awards.
Team categoryTeams will be awarded based on the sum of their two highest individual scores.
Final Round
Global Champion
Global 1st Runner Up
Global 2nd Runner Up
Join the Challenge
This competition is more than a contest; it’s a gateway to the world of engineering innovation. Register now to begin your journey into the exciting field of engineering, where you’ll apply creative problem-solving and technical skills to real-world challenges.
Fee Waiver Policy
A fee waiver is available for individual low-income students. To request one, please ask your school counselor or principal to email [email protected] from their official school email with the subject line "Fee Waiver Request." The email should include your email address and confirmation that you require a waiver.
All fee waivers must be requested before the regular deadline.
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