2024 PSBR Essay Contest

Eligibility: All 6th-12th grade students in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia including (but not limited to): public and private schools, home and cyber schools, and youth organizations.  

Details:  PSBR's Annual Essay Contest is divided into two separate contests- one for Middle School students (6th - 8th graders) AND one for High School students (9th - 12th graders).

Discover the connection between biomedical research, animal research, and your life! The contest recognizes students who artfully demonstrate a superior understanding of the connection between their life and biomedical research (including the need for animals in that research).

The essay contests are FREE to enter and consist of CASH prizes and an Awards Dinner Invitation.

Contest Themes:

Middle School (6th, 7th & 8th Grade) Essay Contest

Topic: "What is Biomedical Research?"

Be creative! Think, Research, Write! Explore the entire biomedical research process, including the role of animals in research, and how it leads to new medical treatments and cures.

Questions to consider: What is the biomedical research process? What are the regulations involved in human and animal research? What methods are used in biomedical research? How has it impacted your life or family members? How about your pet's life? What role do animals play in research? How does this research improve the health of both humans and animals?

View the Complete Middle School Essay Contest Details

High School Essay Contest

Topic: "Biomedical Research and My Life"

Be sure to focus on one specific biomedical breakthrough. Investigate the process of biomedical research, including the role of animals in that research, that leads to the development of new treatments and cures. This will allow you to learn how medicines, medical devices, and/or surgical procedures are developed with the help of animal models and human clinical trials. Be sure to consider the wide range of topics available including human and veterinary treatments.

Questions to consider: Do you know someone who has benefited from vaccinations, pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, surgery, or transplants? How does animal research help advance medicine and science? How have these life-saving technologies been developed? How has biomedical research affected the health of your dog, cat, or other pet?

View the Complete High School Essay Contest Details

Essay Judging Rubrics:

Middle School Judging Rubric

High School Judging Rubric

Winners: Winners will receive CASH prizes and an invitation to attend our Annual Awards Dinner at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Winners will be notified on or after May 8, 2024)

Topic Resources:

Middle School Resources- Click here or scroll down to view 6th, 7th & 8th Grade essay resources

High School Resources- Click here or scroll down to view High School essay resources

See the "Animal Research" tab for additional information.

See "Biomedical Research Information" under our "Resources" tab to see additional websites, videos, blogs, and PDFs with facts about biomedical research and animals.

Submission: Deadline = 11:59pm on MARCH 10, 2024

Essays must be submitted via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Print a flyer to post in your classroom or share with friends!

Questions?  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 717-731-3559

Click here for comprehensive official contest rules and information.