What is JSHS?

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program promotes original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level and publicly recognizes students for outstanding achievement. By connecting talented students, their teachers, and research professionals at affiliated symposia and by rewarding research excellence, JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation.

The JSHS mission…

• To promote research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level.
• To recognize the significance of research in human affairs and the importance of humane and ethical principles in the application of research results.
• To search out talented youth and their teachers, recognize their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their continued interest and participation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
• To expand the horizons of research-oriented students by exposing them to opportunities in the academic, industrial, and governmental communities.
• To increase the number of future adults capable of conducting research and development.

Regional and National Symposia

Endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), JSHS regional and national symposium are held during the academic year and reach over 10,000 high school students and teachers throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Schools of Europe and the Pacific Rim. Each of 48 university-held regional symposia invite the participation of secondary schools within their region. By participating in a regional symposium, students and teachers may...

• Participate in a forum honoring exceptional work in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics, and supporting personal and professional growth.
• Interact with practicing professionals who provide enrichment opportunities and discussions that allow participants to look beyond high school to future post secondary education and career development in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.
• Develop higher-order thinking skills and integrated learning across disciplines through the process of scientific inquiry, writing a scientific paper, and delivering a presentation -- all skills that will benefit students future post secondary and graduate pursuits.
• Support and encourage the success of high school teachers in addressing the attainment and mastery of state and national performance and process skill standards in the sciences, mathematics, and language arts by their students.
• Participate in a scientific conference, visit research and development laboratories, and have their abstract published in symposium proceedings.
• Gain self-confidence through the experience of conducting an independent research investigation and by networking among other participants with similar interests.
• Advance in research paper competition to the National symposium and for significant military-sponsored scholarships and other awards.

Students compete in a regional symposium by orally presenting the results of their original research. See Getting Involved to review application guidelines. See Scholarships to learn more about the scholarship and award opportunities available through JSHS. See JSHS Regions to find the regional symposium serving your state or region.

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