What’s Happening Today!

Welcome to a new & exciting daily post from That Black Chemist! 

Today we’re spotlighting the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious science competition for high school seniors. With up to $250,000 in scholarships, this opportunity rewards original student-led research in STEM fields ranging from environmental science to neurobiology. If you're a high school senior with a passion for discovery, this could be your launchpad into a future of scientific innovation.

Next, we’re zooming in on a record-breaking atomic clock developed at NIST. This aluminum ion clock is now the most accurate timekeeper in the world, measuring time to the 19th decimal place. With quantum logic techniques and cutting-edge ion trap design, it’s redefining what a “second” even means and paving the way for advances in quantum tech.

Upcoming Opportunities

🧪 Regeneron Science Talent Search Now Opens for High School Researchers

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS), run by the nonprofit Society for Science, is now accepting applications from high school seniors conducting original scientific research. With 300 awards ranging from $2,000 to $250,000, this is a rare chance to gain national recognition, mentorship, and funding for your passion in science and engineering.

Applicants must submit a full research report, academic records, recommendation letters, and personal essays through an online portal. Finalists are selected by a national jury of professional scientists and are invited to Washington, D.C. to showcase their work.

📅 Program Details

• Award Amount: 300 Awards worth $2,000 - $250,000

• Application Window: June 1st - November 6th, 2025

• Materials Required:

  • 20-page original research paper

  • Academic transcript

  • 4 letters of recommendation

  • Essays and supplemental forms

• Apply Here: [Regeneron STS Website]

✅ Eligibility

• Grade Level: High school senior

• Citizenship: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

• Fields of Interest: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Behavioral Science, Environmental Science, Math, Medicine, and more

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

• 🧪 NSF REU Summer Research Programs: List of funded undergrad research programs. (Search here)

• 🎓 Zintellect: List of scholarships, research fellowships, and internship opportunities funded by the U.S. government or private sector. (Search here)

• 💰 NASA OSTEM Internships: List of NASA Internships for high school and undergraduate STEM students. (More info)

• 🪖 Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: $30,000-$46,000 scholarship awarded to top STEM students. (Link)

🌍 International Opportunities

• 🧲 Pathways to Science: List of upcoming internships, scholarships, and research programs hosted by any country [open to international students]. (Search here)

• 🔬 Amgen Scholars Program: Prestigious summer research program for undergraduate students in the U.S., Europe, or Asia. (More info)

• ⚛️ European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): Search for any upcoming internships related to chemistry, physics, engineering, or data science! (Link here)

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Intrax Global Internships: STEM-focused internship program for international students hosted by the U.S. Department of State. (More info)

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Scientist’s Scroll

🕰️ New Ion Clock Sets Record as World’s Most Accurate Timekeeper

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed the most accurate atomic clock in the world, capable of measuring time to the 19th decimal place. This groundbreaking aluminum ion clock, refined over two decades, uses quantum logic spectroscopy to achieve unprecedented precision and stability.

With 41% more accuracy and 2.6 times more stability than any previous ion-based clock, this achievement moves us closer to a redefinition of the second and unlocks new frontiers in quantum physics, geodesy, and cosmology. The team overcame challenges from electrical imbalances and laser noise to vacuum contamination, redesigning nearly every component from the ion trap to the laser system.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

🧪 Criticism Isn’t an Attack: It’s a Shortcut to Growth

Whether you're in a classroom, lab, or research team, criticism is part of the job. But it’s easy to take it personally—especially when you’ve put hours into your work. Here’s how to turn that feedback into fuel:

• 🧠 Detach Ego from Work: Your experiment or idea might be flawed but that doesn’t mean you are. View critique as a reflection of the process, not your intelligence.

• 🔍 Look for Patterns: If multiple people mention the same issue (sloppy data, vague writing, unclear graphs), that’s a sign it’s real. Fixing it improves your science and your credibility.

• 💬 Ask Clarifying Questions: Don’t just nod—ask why something didn’t work. This shows professionalism and turns feedback into actionable insight.

• 🎯 Criticism ≠ Rejection: In science, even Nobel Prize winners get harsh reviews. Being wrong is a step toward being right.

• 🤝 Return the Favor: Learn to give feedback constructively too. It makes you a better collaborator and reminds you that critique isn’t personal, it’s how the field moves forward.

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Today’s Theme: TikTok Tuesday

Tuesdays are better than Mondays, right?

Let’s enjoy an awesome TikTok watching NileRed freeze a slice of pizza in liquid nitrogen!

@nileredextra

🥶🍕 #nilered #nileredextra #science

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