The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research will hold its 26th Annual Student Competition, in which New England students in Grades 7-12 learn about a breakthrough in life sciences and report about it via a poster, essay, or website — as if reporting for the What A Year website for science discovery.  Awards of up to $500 will be made in two levels:  Grades 7-8 and Grades 9-12, with education grants for the teachers/advisors of the winning students.  Entries are due by May 8.  See the student packet.

The EcoTarium (222 Harrington Way in Worcester) will open its new exhibit, City Science:  The Science You Live, on January 17.  Hands-on, interactive exhibits encourage exploration of the science we encounter every day but rarely stop to consider.

The Technovation Challenge is a worldwide, 12-week technology entrepreneurship competition in which each team of five middle- or high-school girls identifies a problem in the local community, builds a prototype mobile app for it, develops a business plan, and pitches it to potential investors.  Teams meet for 3-4 hours weekly with female mentors from the tech/business community, February-April, in preparation for regional and worldwide events in May and June.  Last year,  one of two Technovation teams at Newton South HS, the TechnoLions, placed second statewide and went on to compete in the national finals.  If you’re interested in participating as a student, teacher/coach, or mentor, sign up now but no later than March 8. For more information, email info@technovationchallenge.org.

The AMP it up! Challenge invites students to research an advanced manufacturing innovation in Massachusetts and then present it in a 3-minute video to explain how it’s made, why it matters, and what it means to the student.  One middle school, one high school, and one community college in the state will each win $5,000 in unrestricted grant funding.  Manufacturers are encouraged to sign up now to support the challenge by talking with students and offering factory tours.  Schools should sign up to participate and may be represented by individual students, classes, groups, or clubs.  Students will begin researching in January and submit their videos by March 30.  Here’s the winning high-school video from last year by students at Melrose HS.

Register by January 12 for Science Club for Girls spring programs for elementary, middle-school (STEMinistas), and teens (Career Exploration, Leadership, & Life Skills) in many sites around Boston — including Pine Manor College in Newton.  See the catalog of programs and locations and click on the links for detailed information and application forms.

Science Club for Girls also seeks volunteer mentors to engage and inspire students in its programs.  See NECN’s recent coverage of SCfG.