New Mexico Academy of Science Junior Academy of Science

The Junior Academy promotes student research, participation in science fairs, and an annual written and oral technical paper competition. The New Mexico Academy and New Mexico Junior Academy encourage students to participate in this competition, through which they have unique opportunities to learn a crucial part of scientific work: communicating their work to others.

The competitions are held in conjunction with the Regional and State Science and Engineering Fairs. Students compete in the Junior Division (grades 6-8) or the Senior Division (grades 9-12). First and second place winners in each division at their Regional Fairs are awarded $100 and $50, respectively and are eligible to compete at the State Competition. First, second, and third place awards at the State Competition are $200, $100, and $50. This year's State Competition will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010. The deadline for written papers is March 24. The deadline for PowerPoint presentations is April 7.

The 2009 NMJAS winners as well as the AVS Science & Technology Society winners are listed here. The AVS sends their own judges to the State Competition and gives cash awards to first and second place winners in each division as well as matching awards to their sponsors. Funding for the 2009 competition was generously provided by Sandia-Lockheed Martin. Thank you Sandia!

The First Place Winner of the State Senior Division 2008 Competition, Megan Johnson, attended the 2009 meeting of the National Association of Academies of Science/American Junior Academies of Science (NAAS/AJAS) held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting in Chicago, IL and presented her paper to other student winners from all over the US as well as science professionals. Funding to attend this meeting was provided by a grant from Intel. Thank you Intel!. Read more about AJAS and its national meetings at the AJAS Home Page.

For previous winners click 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

Many students who compete also submit an entry in the science fair, although the Academy does not require that they do so. Entries in the paper competition, however, must report on the student's actual experiment or project. For help with writing a research paper see How to Write a Research Paper. The directors and dates of the regional competitions are listed below as well as the links to the rules, forms, and guidelines.

There are also good web sites where students can get information on writing a scientific paper and giving an illustrated talk.

1. Writing Research Papers
2. Selekted Riting Wrules
3. Notes on the Structure of a Scientific Paper
4. Magic Rules For Giving An Illustrated Talk

1. PowerPoint Presentation at the New Mexico State Competition
2. PowerPoint Presentation Hints and Tips
3. Hints, Tips and Guides for presentation
4. Microsoft PowerPoint: Tips and Helpful Hints
5. PowerPoint Presentation Tips

Official Rules	Forms
Regional and State Paper Competition Rules Guidelines Judge's Instructions Notes to Judges	Entry Form (PDF version here) Student Biography Written Manuscript Judging Form Oral Presentation Judging Form Judging Critique Form

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