The American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) recognizes America’s premier high school students for outstanding scientific research. This honorific society, the only one of its kind in the U.S., is a program of the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS). Every year WSAS nominates students to serve as AJAS delegates representing Washington State at the AJAS conference. This program is a transformational experience that both celebrates student success and encourages talented, emerging scientists to pursue careers in STEM fields.
AJAS Conference
The AJAS conference is a multi-day event held annually at which AJAS delegates have the opportunity to:
- Share their research with their peers and other scientists
- Meet world-renowned scientists
- Attend AAAS conference sessions and plenary lectures
- Tour local institutions of scientific importance
- Gain exposure to cutting edge technologies
- Participate in field trips, interactive laboratory experiences, and small group meetings
At the end of the meeting, students are inducted as lifetime Fellows into the American Junior Academy of Science.
The AJAS conference is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). NAAS is an affiliate member of AAAS, the world’s largest scientific organization and publisher of Science. AAAS serves as an authoritative source for information on the latest developments in science and bridges gaps among scientists, policymakers and the public to advance science and science education. The AAAS meeting provides additional opportunities for students to meet national scientific experts and network with a diverse community of scientists and policymakers.
The next AJAS conference will be held in Boston in February 2025. Additional details about the conference can be found on the NAAS website.
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. Delegates are selected and notified in the fall.
Team
AJAS activities at WSAS are supported by Associate Program Officer Tristan Fehr, Operations Manager Nichole Wamsley and external expert Gary C. Foss, with additional input and oversight from the WSAS Education Committee.
About external expert Gary Foss
Gary C. Foss is a retired Technical Fellow and Test Engineer for The Boeing Company, with over 35 years of aeronautical engineering experience. Gary has a 12+ year tenure as a judge for the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair, is the Vice President of the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair, and Secretary of the Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair. He is also an organizer of the Department of Defense sponsored Washington and Oregon Junior Science & Humanities Symposium. He currently serves as an external expert on the WSAS Education Committee, a position he has held since 2011.
Sponsorship
Sponsors allow WSAS to offer this program to exceptional students in Washington State (see the testimonials below for the program’s impact on students). WSAS covers all expenses associated with delegates attending the AJAS and AAAS meetings, including travel, registration, meals, and lodging. Each year, WSAS attempts to cover the costs for all qualified applicants.
We are grateful to our current sponsors:
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
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.
April 29, 2024
11 high school students from across Washington State along with roughly 110 of the nation’s most promising scientists from 21 other states, were recognized for their outstanding scientific research.
