New Mexico Academy of Science
  • Home
    • About us
    • Board Members
    • History
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Programs
    • Research Symposium
    • New Mexico Junior Academy of Science
    • National Youth Science Camp
    • Science Teacher Awards
    • Scientist Awards
  • Resources
    • Supporting Science Standards
    • Education resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • NM Science Resources
  • Publications
    • NM Journal of Science
    • Newsletter
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate

New Mexico Junior Academy of Science

Picture
Notice
The 2021 NMJAS Scientific Paper Competitions will be held virtually on Zoom. Information on the Regional competitions is below. There will be no competitions in the Southeast or Southwest Regions. Any student in these Regions may compete in the Central Region.

About the Program

The New Mexico Junior Academy of Science (NMJAS) promotes student research, participation in science fairs, and an annual written and oral technical paper competition. Science education has focused primarily on the background and tools necessary to do scientific research, but there is little emphasis on writing about and orally presenting the results of research. The NMJAS Scientific Paper Competition was instituted as a means of aiding and encouraging young scientists in the written and oral communication of the results of their research. The NMJAS encourages 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. They are open to middle and high school students – whether public, private, or home schooled – from across the state of New Mexico. Students can enter the competition even if they are not competing in the science fair, but they do have to have a research project.

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 $150 and $100, respectively and are eligible to compete at the State Competition. First, second, and third place awards at the State Competition are $250, $150 and $100.

Competition Rules, Forms, and Tips

Many students who compete also submit an entry in a 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. The directors and dates of the regional competitions are listed later on this page. The links below provide information on competition rules and forms as well as hints and tips for writing a research paper and developing research presentations.

Notice to Students: Before you begin writing your paper please read the  Formatting Rules for Technical Papers. These formatting requirements are standard for publishing technical/scientific papers in professional journals.

Competition Rules & Entry Form
  • Competition Entry Form
  • Regional and State Guidelines for Technical Papers and Oral Presentations
  • Formatting Rules for Technical Papers
  • PowerPoint Requirements and Hints

Judging Information & Forms
  • Judge's Instructions
  • Written Manuscript Judging Form
  • Oral Presentation Judging Form 
  • Judge's Critique Form
  • Regional Director's Summary Form

Help with writing your paper
Web sites where students can get information on writing a scientific paper and giving an illustrated talk:
  • How to Write a Research Paper
  • Writing Research Papers
  • Selekted Riting Wrules (just for fun!)

Help with making a presentation
Web sites with tips for creating strong PowerPoint presentations.
​Hint: Avoid flashy presentations as they distract from your content! 
  • ​Microsoft PowerPoint Hints and Tips
  • PowerPoint Presentation Tips
  • Tips for Creating and Delivering an Effective Presentation

Directors and Regional Competition Information 

Funding for the 2021 NMJAS competition is once again generously provided by Sandia National Labs, operated by Honeywell Corporation. Thank you Sandia! 
​

NMJAS Program Director (2021)
Mrs. Lynn Brandvold
NM Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, NM 87801
Home Phone: 575-835-1322
Cell Phone: 505-720-3040

Regional Program Directors and Competition Dates​
San Juan (Farmington) 
Gail Silva
Piedra Vista High School
5700 College Blvd
Farmington, NM 87402
Paper Due:  February 19, 2021 to
Dr. Ottinger
Competition Dates: March 4-5, 2021
Competition Time: TBD
Place: TBD

Northeastern Region (Las Vegas) 
Dr. Maureen Romine
NM Highlands University 
Department of Life Sciences 
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone: 505-454-3263 
​Paper Due: TBD
Competition Date: February 27, 2021
Southeast (Clovis-Portales) 
Dr. Kenwyn Cradock
Department of Biology
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM 88130
Phone: 575-562-2309
Students who wish to enter the Research Paper Competition may compete in the Central Region. Contact Malva Knoll

Southwestern Region (Las Cruces) 
Kira Claussen
4756 Camino Dos Vidas
Las Cruces, NM 88012
Phone: 575-418-8887
Students who wish to enter the Research Paper Competition may compete in the Central Region. Contact Malva Knoll

Four Corners (Grants) 
Shelby Alexander
P.O. Box 8, Grants High School
Grants, NM 87020
Phone: 505-287-3604
Paper Competition: TBD
Competition Time: TBD
Place: TBD

Central Region (Albuquerque) 
Malva Knoll
NM Science & Engineering Research Challenge
Paper Due: February 16, 2021
Oral Compe​tition Dates: March 4-5, 2021
Oral Competition Time: TBD

Scientists/Educators: Interested in judging the the written and oral research presentations for students competing in the New Mexico Junior Academy of Science Paper Competition?  Judges are needed for both Middle School Division (6-8) and High School Division (9-12). Please contact NMJAS Program Director Lynn Brandvold for more information.

Scientific Paper Competition Winners

Papers of winners are eligible to be published in the New Mexico Journal of Science of that year. The following winners have had their paper published.
  • 2018: Karin Ebey, AnaMaria Perez, and Ksenia Sevostianov
  • 2017: Lea Godret-Miertschin and Sanjib Harikumar
  • 2016: Rusty Ludwigsen, Lillian Petersen, Vladislav Sevostianov, and Alex Silverhart

First Place Winners in State Competitions

For State Competition NMJAS winners as well as AVS Science & Technology Society winners between 2003 and 2020 click here.
  • 2020, Karin Ebey
  • 2019, Rusty Ludwigsen
  • 2017, Sanjiv Harikumar
  • 2015 Jovan Zhang
  • 2013, Amanda Mercer
  • 2011, Fiona McCrossin
  • 2009, Ryan Erickson
  • 2007, Shandiin Copeland
  • 2005, Keely Goodgame
  • 2003, Nigel Reuel
  • 2001, Tom Widland
  • 2018, Lillian Peterson
  • 2016, Rusty Ludwigsen
  • 2014, Jeongmin Lee
  • 2012, Nikita Bodganov
  • 2010, Laura B. Lane
  • 2008, Megan Johnson
  • 2006, Anna Trugman
  • 2004, Mahlet Woldemariam
  • 2002 Naveen Sinha
  • 2000 Naveen Sinha

For a complete list of winners from 2003 - 2020, click here.
Last updated: 12/12/20  LB
Picture

New Mexico Academy of Science

NMAS is a member of the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) and an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, physical disability, or sexual orientation. NMAS is a 501(c)3.

Address

New Mexico Academy of Science
​P.O. Box 36885
Albuquerque, NM 87110

Contact Us

  • Home
    • About us
    • Board Members
    • History
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Programs
    • Research Symposium
    • New Mexico Junior Academy of Science
    • National Youth Science Camp
    • Science Teacher Awards
    • Scientist Awards
  • Resources
    • Supporting Science Standards
    • Education resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • NM Science Resources
  • Publications
    • NM Journal of Science
    • Newsletter
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate