The National JSHS celebrates 50 years

By Jenna Brady, U.S. Army Research LaboratoryJuly 12, 2012

The National JSHS celebrates 50 years
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The National JSHS celebrates 50 years
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The National JSHS celebrates 50 years
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Recently, Dr. Marilyn Freeman, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, hosted the 50th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) in Bethesda, Md.

This event brought together 240 high school students and approximately 100 adult leaders, high school teachers, mentors, university faculty, and ranking military guests.

JSHS, sponsored by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and part of the Army Educational Outreach Program, encourages high school students to conduct original research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

Through JSHS, over 10,000 talented youth annually compete in 48 regional symposia covering the U.S., Puerto Rico, and DoD Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific to receive recognition, incentives, and scholarships for their research achievements.

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory/Army Research Office (ARL/ARO), under the leadership of Ashley Wade, youth sciences program manager, spearheaded production of the 50th National JSHS, with support from a Virginia Tech-led consortium operating through a cooperative agreement with ARL/ARO.

"The event was a tremendous success," said Michael Caccuitto, division chief for Technology Integration and Outreach at ARL/ARO.

"Ashley and the Army team supported by Virginia Tech and the Academy of Applied Science put together a superb National event. It was inspiring to see such talented and motivated students present outstanding research, interact with staff from ARL and across the DoD, and have the chance to spend time and form friendships with their peers from across the country," added Caccuitto.

In addition to planning and producing the event, ARL provided many volunteers to judge student projects and exhibit ARL technologies at a STEM Technology Showcase.

Adding to the celebration of this milestone and to recognize the 50th year of JSHS, a letter from President Barack Obama was provided to all students congratulating them on their achievements.

His words echo sentiments of President John F. Kennedy who provided a similar letter to participants in the first National JSHS in 1962 noting the importance of science and technology in the world in which we live.

First Place Winners - 2012

The following students won first place awards.

All awards were presented by Ms. Heidi Shyu, acting assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, Rear Admiral. Matthew Klunder, chief of Naval Research, and Dr. Thomas Russell, director, Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Each first place winner received a $12,000 scholarship and all recipients were named as representatives to the London International Youth Science Forum, scheduled for August 16-30, 2012, Imperial College, London.

Strain Sensing Using Zinc Oxide Nanostructures Grown on Polydimethylsiloxane

Tejus Satish, William P. Clements High School, Sugar Land, Texas; Texas JSHS; TMS: Mark Kinsey, William P. Clements High School

Category: Engineering

Novel Optimized Runge-Kutta Methods to Increase Computational Accuracy in Numerical Integration of Differential Equations

Pratheek Nagaraj, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Fla.; Florida JSHS; TMS: Mr. Gregg Bantz, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Category: Mathematics and Computer Science

MicroRNA-17-92 Cluster Mediates Sonic Hedgehog Induced Neurogenesis on Neural Stem Cells after Stroke

Edgar Wang, Troy High School, Troy, Mich.; Michigan (Southeastern) JSHS; TMS: Rebecca Brewer, Troy High School; Michael Chopp, Henry Ford Hospital; Maria Madalena Ferreira, Wayne State University

Category: Medicine and Health

The Development of a Novel Sodium Polyacrylate Seed Treatment

Kira E. Powell, Odessa High School, Odessa, Wash.; Washington JSHS; TMS: Mr. Jeff Wehr, Odessa High School

Category: Environmental Sciences

Unidirectionalization of Particulate Distributions in Isotropic D+D->He3+n Reactions Utilizing Differential Ion Velocities

Benjamin C. Bartlett, Lexington High School, Lexington, S.C.; South Carolina JSHS

Category: Physical Sciences

Effect of Primary Light on Photosynthetic Pigments, Absorption, and Reproduction of Anabaena after Being Returned to White Light for Multiple Generations

Jacob N. Pardee, Carter County High School, Ekalaka, Mont.; Wyoming, Eastern Colorado JSHS; TMS: Linda Rost, Carter County High School; Chioko, Hammel

Category: Life Sciences

Ocular Computer Interface - Electrooculotraphic Eye Tracking with 6DOF Head Position Compensation

Spencer A. Berglund, David Campeau, Mayo High School, Rochester, Minn.; North Central (Minnesota, N. & S. Dakota) JSHS

Category: Engineering

Related Links:

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory

The National JSHS celebrates 50 years