January 26 – February 13, 2026
Breakerspace Microscope Image Contest 2026
MIT undergraduates: Capture your best Breakerspace microscope images and compete for cash prizes. Submissions accepted through February 13.
See the unseen! MIT undergraduates from any major are invited to explore microscope imagery in the Breakerspace, capture images using Breakerspace equipment, and compete for prizes.
Never used a microscope before? No problem—sign up for quick Breakerspace training and start capturing images immediately.
Categories
- Best Optical Microscope Image: Artistic or beautiful images captured with the Breakerspace digital optical microscope.
- Best Electron Microscope Image: Artistic or beautiful images captured with a scanning electron microscope in the Breakerspace.
Prizes
Winners in each category will receive $100, with additional awards for runners-up and first-time Breakerspace users.
Judging Criteria
Judges will evaluate entries based on the following:
- Technical merit: Clarity, focus, depth of field, contrast, and spatial resolution.
- Artistic merit: Composition, symmetry, and visual impact.
- Context: Captions should explain the image’s relevance or background clearly.
How to Enter
- Sign up for Breakerspace lab training. (If you’ve trained, you’re one step ahead!)
- Capture your optical or scanning electron microscope images in the Breakerspace.
- Submit your entry through February 13.
Rules
- Open to currently enrolled MIT undergraduate students.
- Images must be captured using the microscopes in the DMSE Breakerspace (8-102a).
- One submission per category per entrant; each winner eligible for only one prize.
Submission Period & Winners
- Submissions accepted through February 13.
- Winners will be announced after the submission period closes.