Information for teachers

The New Mexico Junior Academy of Science is a student competition that is generally an add-on to a science or engineering project (although that is not required). Student communicate their project: write a scientific manuscript and explain their project with an oral presentation. These are practices that are part of being a professional scientist or engineer.

What the students do align is closely aligned with key academic standards for middle and high school students. By focusing on original research, technical writing, and oral presentation, NMJAS directly supports the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), as well as the Common Core ELA and Math standards. This alignment highlights the rigor of the competition and demonstrates its educational value, encouraging teachers, schools, and districts to participate with confidence, knowing that NMJAS helps students strengthen essential skills in scientific inquiry, communication, and data analysis and literacy.

What NMJAS students do and how that aligns with academic standards 

Conduct original research. Students ask questions, define problems, plan and carry out investigations, and analyze data (NGSS SEPs).

Create something new. Computer models, engineering projects, prototypes and iterative testing align with engineering standards (NGSS ETS).

Communicate information. Students communicate their findings clearly, using evidence to support their findings. Both the manuscript and oral presentation are evaluated by a panel of professionals (NGSS SEPs and CCSS Math).

Use appropriate math methods. NMJAS emphasizes collecting and interpreting data using mathematics, and presenting results with graphs or models (CCSS Math).

Act ethically. Students acknowledge previous work, assistance received, acknowledge AI usage. Our AI policy is new this year:

You may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a project resource; it must be used ethically, be cited, and given proper acknowledgement.

    • You may use AI as a research tool to identify background information such as previous research, datasets, methods, and algorithms. You are responsible for verifying the validity of the source of this information.
    • You may use AI as an editing tool to improve grammar, sentence structure, and overall clarity, or to find errors or adhere to word limits. However, the final products submitted must be in your own words.
    • You may not use AI in the generative mode to create original content such as text or images, experimental methods or protocols, data generation or analysis, or computer code.
    • In acknowledging AI assistance, you will identify which AI tool was used, how you used it, and the prompts that you used so that the output can be reproduced.

NGSS for Middle School – SEPs 

  • MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem.
  • MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions.
  • MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities/differences.
  • MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing.
  • MS-PS1-6: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device.
  • MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design.
  • MS-LS1-5: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence.
  • MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact.

NGSS for High School – SEPs

  • HS-ETS1-1: Analyze a major global challenge to specify criteria and constraints.
  • HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem.
  • HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem.
  • HS-ETS1-4: Use a computer simulation to model the impact of a proposed solution.
  • HS-PS1-6: Refine the design of a chemical system.
  • HS-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence.
  • HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution.

CCSS ELA Standards – Writing

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.4: Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information.

CCSS ELA Standards – Speaking & Listening

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-12.4: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-12.5: Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations.

CCSS Math Standards – Mathematical Practice

  • MP.2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  • MP.4: Model with mathematics.
  • MP.5: Use appropriate tools strategically.
  • MP.6: Attend to precision.

Examples of grade-level content standards

  • 6.SP.4, 7.SP.4, 8.SP.4: Display and interpret data using graphs and charts.
  • HSN.Q.A.1: Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multistep problems.