Mississippi Junior Academy of Sciences Announces Mini-grants to Fund High School Student Research

The Mississippi Junior Academy of Sciences (MJAS) is looking forward to the 1999 annual paper competition. This year MJAS has the funds in place to support high school research through mini-grants. The secondary school educators may apply for these funds by drafting a short proposal outlining the research objectives and how the funds will be used. Student groups are encouraged to apply. In this case, the funds will be used to obtain common supplies that each student could use in their own individual research. With successful completion of the project, a written paper would be submitted to MJAS for its annual paper competition. Mini-grants are due by October 31, 1998.

Mail papers to:

1999 MJAS Paper Competition

Dr. Joan Messer

Jones Junior College

Ellisville, MS 39437

The purpose of this competition is to encourage high school students with potential to become creative scientists, engineers and mathematicians. The winner of this competition will represent MJAS at the national convention of the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS). This convention will be held in Los Angeles, January 20­24, 1999. For the first time Mississippi will be represented on the AJAS national committee by Dr. Joan Messer, the state director of MJAS.

To enter the MJAS annual paper competition the student must submit a typewritten report based on an independent research project. The length of the paper should be limited to 10 minutes reading time. Judges will give preference to basic research papers that include a pertinent literature review, research purpose, concise procedures, neatly arranged experimental data, significance of the results obtained, and complete references. Each paper entered must include on a separate page the title of paper, name of student researcher, class and division, school address and telephone number, home address and telephone number, and name of the sponsoring teacher.

All papers submitted must be postmarked no later than December 1. The Mississippi Junior Academy of Sciences Competition is a statewide contest open to students in grades 9 & 10 (Class I) and 11 & 12 (Class II). When submitting papers, please indicate your present grade level and identify the division to which your paper belongs (biology, geology, mathematics, computer science, astronomy, or behavioral science).

A special invitation is extended to teachers to submit applications from new schools (those that have not attended the Junior Academy in the past). To attend, you do not have to have student presenters. Science teachers might want to attend to see how other science teachers in the state are encouraging their students to become active in research.

An expert panel of scientists select both the written papers for oral competition and judge the oral competitions in each category. From the oral presentations, the judges will select an Overall Winner and the Clyde Q. Sheely Research Award. A Class winner is selected from Class I. Each of the winners will be presented an attractive, personalized plaque. The Overall Winner and the Clyde Q. Sheely recipient will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences in February.

Judging criteria include:

I. Written paper competition:

A. A definite research problem

1. Identifies and controls variables

2. Collects data and interprets results

3. Draws sound logical conclusions

B. Use of scientific literature for support

C. Understands relevance of data to the problem

D. Demonstrates knowledge of the topic

II. Presentation of paper

A. Professional

1. Professional Attitude

a. Confidence in presentation

b. Exhibits enthusiasm for a chosen topic

2. Maintains audience interest

3. Clarity of diction

4. Voice volume appropriate

5. Neat appearance

B. Supporting materials (slides, posters, transparencies, etc.)

1. Effective use of audiovisual materials

2. Support materials clear and concise

Mississippi Science Teachers Association Convention

The Mississippi Junior Academy of Sciences (MJAS) will have a booth in the lobby during the Mississippi Science Teacher Association (MSTA) convention. As many as you are aware, this year's convention will be held the Broadwater Beach in Biloxi on October 23 & 24. MJAS officers and board members will be present at the booth to talk with teachers and hand out information concerning the Academy. On Thursday (October 23, 11:00) MJAS board members, active MJAS high school teachers, and their students will give a panel discussion with the topic "Dollars for Science." Teachers . . . please make a point to stop by to talk with the students and encourage other teachers to find out more about MJAS .--Joan McCoy-Messer

SEE YOU AT THE MEETING!