Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences | Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

This annual contest invites pre-college students to spotlight scientists and engineers who have made a meaningful impact to nuclear science, accelerator science, and accelerator engineering and deserve recognition.

High school and middle school students are invited to compete for a chance to be recognized and win a prize

Michigan State University (MSU) and FRIB, under the Student Training and Engagement Program for Undergraduates in Physics, are hosting a Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences competition for pre-college students. The competition spotlights scientists and engineers who have made a meaningful impact to nuclear science, accelerator science, and accelerator engineering and deserve recognition.

View and download the 2025 Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences flyer here.

Use your talent to express history

Students are invited to investigate a scientist or engineer in the fields of nuclear science, accelerator science, and accelerator engineering. Participating students will share what they have learned by creating an original artistic design expression, personalized poems, musical performances (song/rap), videos, or a poster to highlight their selected Distinguished Trailblazer in the Sciences.

Participants: Get excited to discover Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences

Use your creativity to share what you learn!

Entrants will create an original one (1) to three (3) minute video in which they present their submission. Submissions (such as a video, oral presentation, personalized poem, or poster) should examine how their Distinguished Trailblazer has impacted life, the nation, or the world today in the fields of nuclear science, accelerator science, and/or accelerator engineering. Participants are particularly encouraged to spotlight a trailblazer who has not been highlighted before in this competition (see list of previous winners below).

Previous winners

Submission guidelines

Student entrants must submit a one (1) to three (3) minute presentation in one of two categories based on grade level:

Category one: Grades 5-8
Category two: Grades 9-12

Submissions must include:

1. Video recording submitted as an "unlisted" YouTube video (click here for uploading instructions). The video must include one of the following: oral presentation, reciting of personalized poem, artistic design expression, or produced musical (song/rap)

2. Application form

3. Consent form signed by parent/guardian if entrant is under 18 years old

4. Signed media release form for every person appearing in the video

5. Copyright transfer agreement and release form

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Submitted entries must be contest entrants’ original works. Applicable copyright guidelines apply if other content is incorporated. If entries violate preexisting copyright(s), they will not be posted on FRIB/MSU channels. Copyright resources are available here:

1. Six Copyright Concepts Your K-12 Students Should Know | Copyright: Creativity at Work (loc.gov)

2. Engage Your Creativity

Note: Relatives of the organizers of the Distinguished Trailblazers program are not eligible to participate.

Timeline

Wednesday, October 1, 2025: Announcement
Tuesday, November 26, 2025: Submission deadline
January 2026: Winners Announced
February 2026: Presentation (only winners will present)
FRIB management will be asked to make a short announcement and present the awards.
All participants will receive a Certification of Participation.

Judging process

A judging panel consisting of faculty members, field experts, and post-doctoral fellows will use a grading rubric to judge all submissions and rank them for first, second, and third place per grade group. High school students will be supported to attend the Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program.

Awards

The top three winners from each category (grades 5-8 and grades 9-12) will receive prizes. No two prizes will be given for the same distinguished trailblazer. Students will be awarded a total equal to $600 for both categories:

1st Place: $140 per category
2nd Place: $100 per category
3rd Place: $50 per category
High school winners will be offered a place in the week-long Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program (with full support), which will take place at MSU (organized by FRIB) in summer 2026.