Winning the BioGENEius Challenge - 8 Tips You Need to Know
If you’re a high schooler who is passionate about biology or biotechnology, we hope that you’re already looking at participating in STEM and research competitions. Competitions are a great way to gain exposure to the practical applications of your subject and will also test how you fare against your peers. An added bonus is that winning a competition is a prized accolade that will stand out in your college application!
In this blog post, we will cover one such biotechnology competition, the BioGENEius Challenge. We will cover its structure, eligibility, and prestige and give you tips on how to stand out in the competition!
What is the BioGENEius Challenge?
The BioGENEius Challenge is hosted by Biotechnology Institute, and is a competition that provides high school students with the opportunity to compete and be recognized for outstanding research in the field of biotechnology. Biotechnology Institute partners with prestigious biotechnology associations and foundations to showcase the brilliant research of dedicated and talented STEM students in the field of biotechnology.
The competition itself is a series of state and local challenges, which are either hosted by the institute’s 13 state partners or their own At-Large challenge. After clearing the initial challenge, you will have the opportunity to present your work at the main event, the BIO International Convention. This convention is great exposure as there are over 16,000 attendees and a panel of both industry and academic subject matter experts.
Who is eligible to apply to the BioGENeius Challenge, and what does it involve?
Do note that the BioGENEius Challenge is only open to high schoolers in the US or Canada.
The first step is to register and send your application to one of the state partners or the At-Large BioGENEius Challenge (if your state doesn’t have a local challenge). Each has its own deadlines and competition dates, which are listed on their respective websites.
The application itself is common, and requires the following:
Basic information about yourself, your parent/guardian, your school and your mentor.
Detailed information about your project:
Project Title
Project Abstract in 250 words or less
Project Description in 55 words or less
A PDF poster of your project. This is your main submission and should effectively communicate the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions in a visually appealing and concise manner.
You will need to submit three authorization forms: from yourself, your parent/guardian, and your mentor. The latter two will receive a link to allow them to authorize.
Once again, make sure to adhere to the rules and deadlines of the respective local challenge you’re entering!
How is the BioGENEius Challenge structured?
You will have three categories to choose from, of which you will have to select one track that is best associated with your project:
Healthcare: Any project in this category should focus on novel work in healthcare-related sciences. Examples include research into novel proteins or small molecule therapeutics, vaccines, nanobiotechnologies, or data analytics related to human health.
Sustainability: This category is focused on the agricultural applications of biotechnology. Examples can include exploring beneficial symbiotic relationships to enhance crop yield, research into soil improvements, animal disease control, and food security.
Environment: This category is for the applications of biotechnology in industrial and environmental areas. Projects may be geared towards bio-based degradable materials, bioremediation, new or improved biofuels, or the reduction of toxic emissions and greenhouse gases.
Your project will be evaluated based on several criteria, which include scientific content, originality, relevance to biotechnology, clarity of expression, and the poster presentation.
The judges will be looking for a depth of understanding, innovative approaches and practical applications!
There is an additional competition titled the Gene Pool Competition, an onsite, spontaneous contest in which all finalists participate! This segment tests the ingenuity and quick thinking of all the participants in a less formal and competitive environment. Although there are no details on their website presently, there is a mention of cash prizes.
Is it prestigious?
The BioGENEius Challenge is a prestigious event that draws talented students from across the nation and even internationally, and it brings in experts from both industry and academia to the final event.
Even making it to the BioGENEius Challenge final event is a testament to your research skills, as only the top student from each of the state challenges qualifies to present their research at the Conference.
The At-Large Challenge, open to all students outside the State Partner network, recommends that you already be placed in the upper 5% in your local or regional science fairs before applying! What this means for you is that if you reach the main event, you can already certify yourself as one of the sharpest minds in the biotechnology field in the country, doing wonders for your future college applications. Being able to interact with industry leaders in person will also help cement your place in this field, providing a valuable network with which to jump-start your future career.
8 tips to help you win the BioGENEius Challenge!
If you’re sold on participating in the BioGENEius Challenge, here are some tips to maximize your chances of winning:
Understand past winners' projects to know what’s expected: Both the local challenge websites and the main BioGENEius website list the projects of previous winners. These are powerful resources for you to understand the kinds of research subjects the judges are looking for and the depth of work required. It will also help you get an understanding of how your research, which may have taken you years, can be accurately and adequately condensed into a single poster.
Choose a unique and relevant topic: Select a project topic that is not only unique but also relevant to current biotechnological challenges. Originality is key, and may be showcased in the form of a novel approach, a new compound, or even an original way of interpreting data.
Find and work with a mentor: The BioGENEius Challenge is so competitive that the importance of a mentor to guide you with your research cannot be overstated. Whether at school or at a local research laboratory, find and reach out to a biotechnology expert and ask to work with them, and have them help you with identifying, charting and working on a strong research project.
Have a plan and stick with it: Following on from the previous point, plan your research meticulously. Ensure that your methodology is sound and your objectives are clear. Set clear milestones with your mentor, document your work and keep the end goal in sight. While your mentor will be able to help you with the planning, the execution is what will make or break your project, and that’s in your hands.
Learn some graphic design: Remember that the key part of your initial submission is your poster, that will be used to convey the essence of your project. As such, it behooves you to learn the best way to design an engaging and informative poster that will instantly capture the judges’ attention. There are several courses on Udemy, Coursera and Skillshare to help you with this.
Make sure your presentation tells a story: A well-presented project can be the difference between winning and losing. Once your poster is designed and you clear the initial round, you’ll need to be able to present your research to the panel. Spend some time with your mentor in crafting the story of your research, conveying what you set out to achieve, how you achieved it, and the ramifications and potential applications of your work. Run it by your teachers at school for a clarity check.
Prepare for the Q&A sessions: Anticipate questions judges might ask and prepare your answers. Being well-prepared for the Q&A session shows your depth of knowledge. These may not be limited to just your project either, which leads to the last tip.
Deep dive into biotechnology trends: Stay updated with the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. While this knowledge can inspire innovative project ideas, it may also prove to be crucial in the Q&A session if judges ask about the implications of your work in the context of recent industry breakthroughs. You can do this through Veritas AI’s deep dive course in AI + Medicine that helps you explore the applications of technology & AI in the healthcare industry.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - BioGENEius Logo