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AJAS-JSHS

Alabama Junior Academy of Science-

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Competition

A Program of the Alabama Academy of Science

February 24, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today the AJAS-JSHS announced the rankings of the finalists of the 2012 Competition. The Competition was held at the meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science at TuskegeeUniversity, Tuskegee, Alabama.

The First Place Winner of a JSHS tuition grant of $2000 was:

Olivia Dure, The Altamont School, 4801 Altamont Rd S, Birmingham, AL 35222, Teacher-Sponsor, Donna Kentros and Maureen Frye

Second Place Winner of a JSHS tuition grant of $1500 was:

Joshua Passantino, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210-4278, Teacher-Sponsor, Debbie Anderson

Third Place Winner of a JSHS tuition grant of $1000 was:

Supraja Sridhar, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210-4278, Teacher-Sponsor, Catherine Shields

Fourth Place Winner was:

Jonathan Hurowitz, The Altamont School, 4801 Altamont Rd S, Birmingham, AL 35222, Teacher-Sponsor, Donna Kentros and Mary Williams

Fifth Place Winner was:

Dalton Cade, Wetumpka High School, 1251 Coosa River Pkwy, Wetumpka, AL 36093, Teacher-Sponsor, Virginia Vilardi

The rankings were established by a panel of judges consisting of department heads, deans and professors from many of the leading universities and industries in Alabama.

Information on the annual competition and awards may be found on the website at

For further information, contact:

Catherine Shields, PhD, NBCT

State AJAS Counselor

or

(205) 379-5356 (work), (205) 951-1372 (fax), (205) 903-2626 (cell)

The Alabama Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) is an organization that functions under the Alabama Academy of Science and the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), whose purpose is to encourage high school student science research. This activity culminates in paper competition at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels. Winners at the regional level receive an expense paid trip to the state competition; winners at the state level receive and expense paid trip to the national meeting. The top three finalists for Alabama receive tuition scholarships, awarded at $2000.00, $1500.00, and $1000.00 from JSHS. The top five finalists are invited to participate at the National JSHS Symposium and compete for more scholarship money. The AJAS-JSHS Competition is for Alabama High School Students in Grades 9-12.

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Opportunities for hands-on workshops, panel discussions, career exploration, research lab visits and networking are planned. By participating in regional and national symposia, students may:

  • Participate in a forum honoring individual achievement in STEM
  • Qualify for significant scholarships and other recognition
  • Network to enrich understanding of STEM pursuits beyond high school;
  • Advance in statewide, regional, national and international symposia
  • Develop skills to help prepare for undergraduate and graduate pursuits -- skills in the application of science content to solve a problem or to gain new knowledge, writing a paper, and communicating results.

JSHS is sponsored by the research arm of the Department of Defense and administered in cooperation with nationwide colleges and universities. JSHS aims to prepare and support students to contribute as future scientists and engineers -- conducting STEM research on behalf of or directly for the Department of Defense, the Federal research laboratories, or for the greater good in advancing the nation's scientific and technological progress.