Symposium Showcases Best High School Science Students Statewide

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150, ([email protected])

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 27, 2008) -- More than 400 of New York State's highest performing high school students will participate in the 23rd Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium March 31 and April 1 at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road. The event includes competition for prestigious awards and scholarships, along with workshops hosted by eminent area scientists.

The Junior Science and Humanities symposium is directed by Dr. Daniel Wulff, University at Albany biology professor. It is the largest competition and forum in the state for high school students conducting original scientific research. The 30 students presenting their research at the symposium were selected from students competing in three regional symposia in Upstate New York. The JSHS finalists will be judged by scientists from Capital Region universities, colleges, hospitals and corporate research laboratories and chosen from five scientific categories. First and second place winners will receive scholarships and compete in the national JSHS for more scholarships and a trip abroad to compete internationally. 

Over the past seven years, the Upstate New York JSHS has produced four first-place and two second-place winners at the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

The symposium's sponsors are the Academy of Applied Sciences, the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, and the University at Albany.  In addition to these sponsors, the American Chemical Society – Corporate Associates is awarding a $750 scholarship to the student with the best paper in the area of chemistry. Corporate sponsors for the symposium are Albany Molecular Research, Inc., GE Global Research, MapInfo, Inc., Taconic, Inc., Surpass Chemical Co., Inc. and Edmund Scientific.

For information about attending the Upstate New York JSHS, please contact Mary Cuffe-Perez, Upstate New York JSHS Coordinator, at (518) 442-4030.

Symposium Overview:

Monday, March 31:
1 p.m.: Opening remarks by Dr. Susan Phillips, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, University at Albany, and Dr. Daniel Wulff, JSHS Director and Professor of Biology, University at Albany.
 
Certificates of Accomplishment presented to all presenters at the symposium.

Poster displays of 30 additional students' original research projects.

2-4 p.m.: Concurrent sessions of students’ research projects to teams of judges.

6 p.m.: Awards dinner with keynote address by Michael Inglis, Science Research teacher at Briarcliff High School.

Tuesday, April 1:
8:30 a.m.: Presentations by the five finalists.

10:45- noon: Five workshops by scientists, including "Spoofing the Sensors."

Noon: Awards luncheon and announcement of three final winners and scholarship awards.