2025 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).

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

Note: Students may submit one entry for each of the three contests (essay, poster, digital media) for a total of three entries per contest year.

Contest Themes:

Middle School (6th, 7th & 8th Grade) Essay Contest (NOTE: UPDATED RUBRIC for the 2024-2025 contest)

Topic: "What is Biomedical Research?"

Think, Research, Write! Select a disease, treatment, cure, medical device, or advancement and explore how biomedical research, including the role of animal models, helped advance your chosen topic. How does this research improve the health of humans and animals? What methods are used in biomedical research? What are the current and future needs? Rubric posted below.

View the Complete Middle School Essay Contest Details

High School Essay Contest

Topic: "Biomedical Research and My Life"

Choose one past, current, or ongoing medical advancement that has impacted your life. The chosen topic may have impacted the life of the student, family members, friends, pets, etc. Research the history behind that advancement, including the role of animal research in that advancement. This will allow you to learn how medicines, medical devices, surgical procedures, etc 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. Rubric posted below.

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 in Hershey, PA on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Winners will be notified on or after May 13, 2025)

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 9, 2025

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.