Indiana Region Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Welcome to the Indiana Region Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) Program. Hanover College is hosting the 2024 Indiana Regional JSHS, to be held February 9-10, 2024, on our campus in Hanover, Indiana.

Indiana JSHS Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

JSHS is designed to challenge, engage, and publicly recognize students (Grades 9-12) conducting research in the sciences, 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 career exploration, research lab visits, peer discussions, and networking are planned. By participating in regional and national symposia, students may:

Participate in a forum honoring individual achievement in STEM.
Network with peers who have similar interests.
Hear research presentations by other students.
Develop skills to help prepare for undergraduate and graduate pursuits in STEM fields.
Hear nationally renowned scientists speak on their work.
Qualify for significant scholarships and other recognition.
Advance to the national symposium.

Who is a JSHS Participant?

Any student in grades 9-12 who is conducting original research to submit by the regional deadline is a JSHS participant. There is no registration fee to apply or to participate.

Who Participates at Regional JSHS?

Students’ submitted work is reviewed and invitations to present at the Regional JSHS event are sent.

One teacher from each school sending a student may also attend cost-free and receive free meals and lodging. Other guests are welcome to attend but will be responsible for their own meals and lodging.

How do I present at the Indiana Regional JSHS?

STEP 1: Students in grades 9–12 select an area of research:

Environmental Science
Life Science
Medicine and Health/Behavioral Science
Biomedical Sciences, Molecular/Cellular
Engineering and Technology
Math and Computer Sciences/Computer Engineering
Physical Sciences
Chemistry

STEP 2: Students complete an optional Intent to Submit on-line form indicating their area of interest by December 20, 2023. You can access that form here: https://forms.gle/HzwFzN4hMcc7UYQp6

STEP 3: Students conduct original research.

STEP 4: Students submit final Abstracts & Research Papers by Jan. 12, 2024 via the registration site: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/aeop?key=JKR5-G7ZD1_K9KH-5PTF_a41f7ae9bfe3

STEP 5: Students notified of acceptance by January 26, 2024

STEP 6: Students and teachers submit registration and all accompanying forms by February 2, 2024

STEP 7: Registered participants and guests attend the Indiana Regional Symposium at Hanover College

Please refer to the Core Rules of Competition to ensure your materials follow regional guidelines.

What materials to report the results of my STEM research must I submit?

All students intending to apply must submit an abstract and research paper reporting the results of their STEM research. Abstracts and research papers should be word or PDF files and will be uploaded into this registration. When saving and naming files for upload, please use the following file name format: Last Name_First Name_Abstract and last Name_First Name_Research Paper.

Students must also submit a Statement on Outside Assistance. This document should be titled using Last Name_First Name_SOA.

Awards

Students who are selected to make presentations at the Indiana Regional JSHS have an opportunity to win undergraduate, tuition-based scholarships.

The JSHS will distribute $4,500 in academic scholarships to the top three regional finalists:

$2,000 to first place.
$1,500 to second place.
$1,000 to third place.

The top five finalists are invited to advance to the National JSHS. Two of the five finalists will orally present their research in competition for military-sponsored scholarships; three of the five finalists will present their research in poster sessions where the top three students in each category receive recognition and cash awards. National JSHS scholarships are awarded as follows.

Eight $12,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of the 1st place finalists in the National research paper competition. In the 2023 competition, one student from Indiana was awarded a 1^st place scholarship. Perhaps you can be the next!
Eight $8,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of the 2nd place finalists in the National research paper competition.
Eight $4,000 undergraduate, tuition scholarships, awarded to each of the 3rd place finalists in the National research paper competition.

Sponsorship

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a Department of Defense sponsored STEM program (U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force) that encourages high school students to conduct original research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and publicly recognizes students for outstanding achievement. By connecting talented students, their teachers, and research professionals at affiliated symposia and by rewarding research excellence, JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation.

JSHS regional and national symposia are held during the academic year and reach more than 8,000 high school students and teachers throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Schools of Europe and the Pacific. Students must first participate in their regional symposium where they compete for selection to present at the national symposium each year. Registering to participate in a regional JSHS event is of no cost to the student.