SSP Middle School Program

The Society for Science & the Public (SSP) Middle School Program is the only U.S. national science competition for science fair participants in grades 5–8. 300 semifinalists and then 30 Finalists are selected annually from a national field of thousands to participate in the finals of this competition.  Gathering in Washington, D.C. each October, the Finalists present their projects to judges, fellow students and the public.  In addition, Finalists work in teams on a variety of scientific experiments to judge their science, reasoning and communication skills.

The SSP Middle School Program was born from our commitment to serving the middle school science fair audience as we have done for 9 years with Discovery Communications through the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.  Society for Science & the Public is proud to offer this program to encourage middle school students to pursue their interest in science and independent research.

SSP will announce the 300 semifinalists of the SSP Middle School Program 2008 on Wednesday, September 3, 2008.  Our website will contain the information and each semifinalist will receive a mailing of congratulations.   The 30 finalists will be announced on Wednesday, September 17.All entrants of the program will be notified by no later than September 30 of their final status.