More than 100 of the state’s finest and youngest scientists will be on the Texas A&M University campus Tuesday and Wednesday (April 16-17) to show off their research skills in the 1996 Texas Junior Academy of Science (TJAS).
The Junior Academy of Science is a statewide competition sponsored by the Texas Academy of Science in which high school students present original research projects for judging by university-level scientists and researchers. Students competing at the state level have already won in regional Junior Academy of Science events.
“The Texas Junior Academy of Science continues to amaze me,” says C.J. Dockweiler, director of Texas A&M’s Center for Mathematics and Science Education. “These high school researchers speak with ease and familiarity about very complex and technical topics.”
This year’s academy is hosted by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education and the activities are slated to occur in the Rudder Tower Complex.
“During these times of constant criticism of our educational system, it is refreshing indeed to hear and see these promising young scientists,” Dockweiler says. “Their expertise bodes well for our future.”
Winning projects at past academies have included “The Use of Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials to Increase Shelf Life in Tortillas” and “Mechanisms of Disappearance of Salmonella on Cutting Boards: A Second Year Study.”
Academy research topics include behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, earth and space science, engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics and computers, medicine and health, microbiology, physics, and zoology.
Winners in each of these 12 categories receive medals and certificates. Two overall winners are chosen who go on to compete in the National Junior Academy of Science, held in conjunction with the national meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C.
The Center for Mathematics and Science Education is a research and educational unit of the College of Science with strong ties to the College of Education. The center has hosted TJAS at Texas A&M University since 1992.
The center promotes a programs in pre-service teacher training, continuing teacher education, and research and development in mathematics and science education at primary and secondary school levels.
For more information, contact Lissa Gay at (409) 8621427 or lissa@isc.tamu.edu
CONTACT: Gene Charleton at (409) 845-4644 or e-mail: e-charleton@tamu.edu
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