NMJAS – state winners

The New Mexico Junior Academy of Science (NMJAS) promotes student research, participation in science fairs, and an annual written and oral technical paper competition. It is affiliated with the American Junior Academy of Science, an honor society that recognizes high school students for outstanding research.

The Academy sponsored four geographic regions across New Mexico in 2026 for this competition, with winners advancing to the state competition. The finals were held in conjunction with the NM State Science and Engineering Fair, Friday April 10th, 2026.

Congratulations to our state winners!

Senior Division
1st Place (tie) – Aspyn Kaskalla, San Juan College High School, San Juan
1st Place (tie) – Euiryeon Kim, La Cueva High, Albuquerque
3rd Place – Lucas Rychener, Grants High School, Grants

Junior Division
1st Place – Amelia Martinez, Grants Cibola Country School, Grants
2nd Place – Keira Munson, Grants Cibola Country School, Grants
3rd Place – Scarlett Groves, Jefferson Middle School, Albuquerque

Thanks to all the participants, judges and partners for making this event successful. To read more about the Junior Academy of Science or the students’ papers, visit the NMJAS web page.

… Tito Busani