About

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

The Northern California Western Nevada JSHS is one of 48
regional symposia sponsored by the research offices of the
Army, Navy and Air Force through contract with the Academy
of Applied Science.

The Regional Symposium

March 12-14, 2009
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California at Berkeley

Serving all high school students, including public, parochial, private and home schooled in the 25 counties of northern California and northwestern Nevada.

Two Components to the Symposium

Students who have completed an independent research project are invited to present a paper in a scholarship contest. Student presenters may see the Details for Student Presenters and Qualifying to be a Presenter links for information about how to enter and what will be needed. After submitting the required materials, students then present their work to a panel of judges at a screening center. From the screening, sixteen students are selected to present their work at the Regional Symposium. From those sixteen, two are selected to present at the National Symposium which will be held April 30-May 4, at Seattle, Washington. The regional winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, runner-up $1,500, and third $1,000. Three other students are invited to attend the National Symposium as delegates to represent the region. At the National Symposium there are six separate categories in which presenters compete for scholarships of $16,000, $6,000 and $2,000. The national winner in each category is invited to represent the United States in London International Youth Forum.
Schools may bring a group of up to three students and one adult to participate in the Regional Symposium no matter whether they have a presenter or not. We invite teachers to bring a group to experience the event, which is a three day program on a university campus. Activities will include presentations by national and world recognized scientists, visits to university and industrial research facilities, career round table discussions with university students and faculty, the student research paper presentations, and informal interaction with other science oriented students.

Symposium Objectives

PROMOTEresearch and experimentation in the sciences, mathematics and engineering at the high school level.
RECOGNIZEthe significance of research in human affairs, and the importance of humane and ethical principles in the application of research results.
SEARCH OUTtalented youth and their teachers, recognize their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their continued interest and participation in the sciences, mathematics and engineering.
EXPANDthe horizons of research-oriented students by exposing them to opportunities in the academic, industrial and government communities.
INCREASEthe number of future adults capable of conducting research and development.
SUPPORT the attainment and mastery of state and national performance and skill standards in the sciences, mathematics and language arts.