Tanque Verde High School is proud to celebrate freshman Luca McGill, who has been named one of just 30 national finalists in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge — the country’s premier STEM research competition for middle school students. Luca received a personal call yesterday with the exciting news, followed by the official announcement this morning. He will travel to Washington, D.C. from October 24–29 to showcase his research, collaborate with peers, and take part in team-based STEM challenges that emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
As a finalist, Luca has already earned a $500 cash award, and his achievement also earns his former middle school a $1,000 grant to support STEM programs. He will now compete for more than $100,000 in prizes during Finals Week. Luca’s accomplishment is a testament to his curiosity, perseverance, and passion for science, and the Tanque Verde community is excited to cheer him on as he represents our school on the national stage.