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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. Submission deadline mid-February Competitions held in March |
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.
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
Judging Information & Forms
Help with writing your paper
Web sites where students can get information on writing a scientific paper and giving an illustrated talk:
Help with making a presentation
Web sites with tips for creating strong PowerPoint presentations.
Hint: Avoid flashy presentations as they distract from your content!
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:
Help with making a presentation
Web sites with tips for creating strong PowerPoint presentations.
Hint: Avoid flashy presentations as they distract from your content!
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
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
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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 No Science Fair in this region, 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 Competition 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 Sevostian
- 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.
Last updated: 12/12/20 LB
