TINTON FALLS, N.J. -- It's been fifty years since the start of the Junior Science Symposium program was conceptualized the same inaugural year of the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposia Program.
Gary Martin, deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, gave congratulatory remarks, on behalf of C4ISR and area Department of Defense supporters, during the 50th Annual Monmouth Junior Science Symposium recently in Tinton Falls, N.J.
Students presented their papers to a panel of department of defense and academia judges, representing Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or C4ISR; Sandy Cove at Lakehurst; Naval Air Systems Command at Joint Base McGuire; the Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center of Picatinny Arsenal; and Naval Weapons Station Earle.
"This was a record-breaking year for paper submissions," said Datta V. Naik, Ph.D., vice-provost dean of the graduate school and director of the MJSS at Monmouth University. Ninety-six papers were submitted for competition, compared to 70 submissions last year.
Of the 96 papers, the top 16 were chosen to go on to the next level and present at the banquet and conferences, explained Naik. Ten student finalists were required to present their papers in a conference style environment to a panel of scientific experts, teachers and peers, and the other six students submit posters for their projects. At the banquet, those students presented their papers to a panel of volunteer judges. Results were announced at the end of the night.
"We are here to celebrate our young scientists and their achievements," said Naik. Winners and runners up will go on to compete at the national level in May in Bethesda, Md. "You are in my mind all winners for having done this work and persevered."
MJSS is jointly sponsored by the Department of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Monmouth University, in cooperation with leading research universities and technical organizations throughout the nation. The primary focus of MJSS is to promote research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering and mathematics areas of study for high school students. At the national level, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, DASA, in cooperation with military and federal research and development laboratories in the Washington D.C., area.
Martin, a long-time supporter of MJSS and STEM outreach efforts, said he was amazed at the degree of scientific capability MJSS students represent, as well as the opportunity young scientists and mathematicians have to present their research to seasoned experts.
"We are pleased to support the symposium," said Martin on behalf of DoD supporters. "This country has been known for its ingenuity and innovation. It's founded on the efforts of scientists and engineers who have come before you; but certainly, the challenges in scientists and engineers continue, and you really have what it takes to get the job done."
Martin applauded parents and wished symposium participants continued success in their professional and academic careers. "Our future lives are in your hands, and by our [judges] estimate, I think the future is pretty bright."
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