• Do I have to live in Bergen County to participate in the Bergen SciChallenge?

No! All middle school students are invited to attend and participate in the Bergen SciChallenge!

• Is there a registration fee?

The registration fee must be received by May 3rd, or else the registration will be invalid. Registration must still be completed by May 3rd. The fee covers category-specific prizes, pizza, Liberty Science Center presentation, and t-shirts. SchoolCashOnline will be used for payment. Please visit the "Payment" tab under the "Register for SciChallenge" dropdown to learn more and complete your payment.

Please note: If you are working with a team, all members must complete the registration and payment separately. 

• How do I pay?

SchoolCashOnline will be used for payment. Please visit the "Payments" tab under the "Registration 2026 & Info" dropdown to learn more and complete your payment. 

• I am in 5th grade, can I still participate in the Bergen SciChallenge?

Yes! Any students in grades 5-8 are welcome to participate. Please note that only students in grades 6-8 are eligible to be nominated for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. 

• Can I participate in the Bergen SciChallenge with a team?

Absolutely; teams are welcome! Please note that each member has to register separately and pay the registration fee.   Teams can be no more than 3 students. 

• Is the Bergen SciChallenge virtual or in-person this year?

The Bergen SciChallenge will be IN PERSON this year. It will be held at Bergen County Academies on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

• Does the complexity of my project matter?

No! We are looking for the application of the scientific method and potential implications of project findings. No project is too simple!

• What are the awards that I can win?

We have category-specific awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the categories. We also award prizes to the Top 10%. The Top 10% are then eligible to apply to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

• What does a Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge nomination entail?

This nomination entails that you are eligible to APPLY. This does not guarantee that you will win. 

• What if a team project places in the Top 10%?

Each individual from the team will be counted towards the Top 10%. Each member of the team will be eligible to INDIVIDUALLY apply for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. 

For example, if there are 100 participants, 10 students will be awarded the Top 10% prize. If a team, consisting of 2 students, is awarded the Top 10% prize, this will count as 2 individual students. These students will individually apply for the national competition. 

• Will there be at least one participant from each category that places in the Top 10%?

No, the Top 10% winners can be from one category or all of the categories.