The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition for high school science and math students to inspire creative thinking about fundamental concepts in the natural sciences and mathematics. Students 13-18 years old are invited to create an original video — up to 3 minutes, illustrating a concept or theory in life sciences, physics, or mathematics — and submit it by July 1. One winner will receive a $250,000 educational prize, the winner’s science teacher will receive $50,000, and the winner’s school will receive a $100,000 science lab.

Coding Butterfly is an after-school and weekend educational program in coding and robotics for Grades 2-8, with locations in Brighton and now Newton (132 Charles Street, Suite 200, Auburndale). It offers personalized instruction and hands-on learning in Scratch for beginners as well as Python, JavaScript, and 3D Design. To celebrate the opening of its Newton location, Coding Butterfly will offer 40 free seats to 3D classes in June for ages 8-13. Reservations are required.

Jr.Tech will offer these STEM co-ed camps on Cape Code this summer:

• Computer Programming and Algorithms Using Python Software – Level 1, Grades 8-12, July 9-12, Hyannis
• Computer Programming using Python Software – Level 2, Grades 8-12, July 16-19, Hyannis
• Learn computer animation with Adobe Animate!, Grades 6-8, July 23-24, Hyannis
• Computer Game Design using C++ Language, Grades 8-12, July 30-August 3 and August 6-10, Osterville
• Sizzling Summer Hands-on Fun!, Grades 4-5, August 10, Osterville

Edge on Science, which offers summer STEM programs, recently sent a newsletter describing EyeWire.org, a free online gaming environment that facilitates mapping neurons for brain research. The newsletter explained, “[Sebastian Seung’s]  lab at Princeton University has been building 3D models of neurons [and] continuous groups of them. … The computer image processing is not perfect and [with EyeWire] thousands of citizen scientists have contributed to correcting and filling in the connections and completing the 3D models, neuron by neuron.” You can read this description and sign up to play the game.

Join a team for the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s annual Bird-a-thon, 6PM to 6PM, May 11-12, to raise money for bird sanctuaries and programs. The event is open to Official Birders and Bird-a-thon Boosters who bird for fun and want to fundraise, too.

The STEM Education Center of Worcester Polytechnic Institute will host two AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers in the 2018-19 academic year to focus on STEM education, WPI and the local education community (including Worcester Public Schools and after-school programs). See the job description and apply by May 25 by sending your resume and cover letter to vista@wpi.edu. Cover letters should answer the questions: “Why do you want to serve with CCNE VISTA?” and “Why are you best suited for WPI’s VISTA position(s)?”.  For more information, email vista@wpi.edu.

The Massachusetts STEM Summit invites proposals for exhibits, presentations, and workshop for this year’s summit, to be held on November 14 at DCU Center in Worcester.  Proposals may address any of these topics:  Early Education, K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce and Business.  See the site for proposal forms and guidelines.  Proposals are due May 4.

Female students 14+ years old who will be in Grades 9-12 next year are invited to apply to be EngineerGirl Ambassadors promoting engineering experiences for younger students over the next year. Apply by May 31 with your proposal. Each Ambassador will have an adult local sponsor, will receive training from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in collaboration with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), will attend the SWE Annual Conference in October, and will receive other benefits.

Zoo New England is one of the sponsors of the Boston Area City Nature Challenge, which is part of a worldwide competition among 65 cities to document the highest number of species. Download the iNaturalist app, sign up to join the challenge, and record your observations in the greater Boston area during April 27-30 by uploading photos with the app.