The Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) proudly supports and celebrates the next generation of scientific leaders through the Washington Junior Academy of Science (WAJAS) Program. This program recognizes exceptional high school students from across the state for outstanding original scientific research and offers opportunities to connect with the research community in Washington and beyond.
Students selected as Washington State Junior Academy of Science fellows will:
- Receive mentorship from a member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences in their field of interest who will offer guidance, encouragement, and professional insights to inform students’ scientific understanding, research projects, and career plans.
- Be publicly honored along with Washington’s top researchers at an induction ceremony at the WSAS annual celebration.
- Present original research to Washington’s leading researchers and thought leaders at a student research showcase held in conjunction with the WSAS annual celebration.
- Be invited to attend The American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) conference where they have the opportunity to present their research and network with researchers and students from around the nation.
Important program update: In past years, WSAS was able to pay for and provide chaperones for all WAJAS fellows to attend the annual AJAS conference. Moving forward WSAS will transition to a scholarship-based structure to help offset the costs of travel for selected fellows. More details regarding scholarship opportunities will be shared with fellows upon selection.
Eligibility
High school students who have placed highly at state or regional science fairs, and/or have been selected as finalists to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Nominations are made by the fair directors.
Selection Process
The WSAS Education Committee reviews nomination packages from select students who have been identified by science fair directors, other state competitions, and science teachers. The application package includes a research abstract and report, presentation slides, and letter of recommendation. Fellows are selected and notified in the fall.
AJAS Conference
WAJAS fellows are invited to attend the American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) conference held in conjunction with the AAAS annual meeting. Attendance of the AJAS conference is not required to be a WAJAS fellow, but IS required to receive AJAS fellowship. Limited scholarship opportunities are available from WSAS for WAJAS delegates to attend this conference.
Individual donations also help to support this program.
Past WA delegates have been supported by community grants from The Boeing Company, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Vulcan, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
TestimonialS
AJAS has been the most formative experience in my high school years. As an aspiring researcher, getting the opportunity to learn about distinguished researchers’ paths in their fields was both incredibly inspiring and crucial to the development of my career goals. Furthermore, getting recognized for my research in dementia by fellow AJAS delegates and researchers was very important to me in both validating my research and getting critical feedback. AJAS was pivotal to me for not only the research experience it gave me but also for the talent I met from across the country. Talking to researchers in the industry solidified my goal of gaining a Ph.D. degree.
Kosha
2023 Delegate
Participating in AJAS was one of the best experiences of my life. Through AJAS, I got the opportunity to attend my first large, in-person scientific conference, while gaining a wealth of support and resources even before the event to refine my research skills and knowledge…I really hope this experience will continue to be here for students for years to come!
The social aspect of this program is so important — I felt as though I was able to genuinely connect with other young scientists at a critical time for deciding my future path. I also felt connected to the ‘real world’ of science through the AAAS meeting. AJAS was an amazing opportunity for me, and part of why I’m still pursuing a career in research. I hope that every young researcher has an opportunity to participate in a program like this.
AJAS was a life-changing experience. Every part of the day was filled with exciting and unique opportunities to connect with peers, visit university labs, understand what a career in science could mean, and listen to meaningful keynote speakers. One event in particular that I really enjoyed was the Breakfast with Scientists. Getting to talk to people in the field was eye opening and made me even more confident that I want to pursue STEM in the future as a career path.
Pinyu
2023 Delegate
Zoe
2020 Delegate
Vedant
2023 Delegate
AJAS News
March 17, 2025
2022 AJAS delegate Kevin Shen of Olympia, WA took seventh place at the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the U.S.’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Shen was awarded $70,000 for building a custom flight computer to control a 3D-printed airplane with oblique wings.
October 2, 2024
WSAS announced the 2025 Washington State delegates to the American Junior Academy of Science. These 11 students were selected based on original STEM research they conducted while in high school and will attend the 2025 AAAS annual meeting in Boston.
May 12, 2024
2024 AJAS Delegate Kosha Upadhyay is one of 5 students from Washington State selected as a presidential scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.
