Junior Academy

General Information

The Missouri Junior Academy of Science (MJAS) provides opportunities for Middle and High School students to participate in MAS.  Junior Academy activities take place on Friday, prior to the start of senior academy events.  Students complete a research project under the direction of a sponsoring teacher.  They attend the annual meeting, give a culminating oral presentation, and compete for prizes and awards.

 

Nominate a Teacher

Do you have an outstanding teacher?  Nominate them for the MAS Outstanding Science Teacher Award (sponsored by MO-SCI).  The award includes a personalized plaque and a $50 cash prize.

High School Teacher Nomination Form

Middle School Teacher Nomination Form

Please email completed forms to Keesoo Lee: keesoo@lincolnu.edu.

 

Registration

Please complete one of the following forms to register for the MJAS meeting. Please note: All students and parents attending must register for the meeting.

Student Registration

Guest Registration

District Directors: please go to the following page to download an Excel template and update it with your student information.

District Director Form D

 

Districts

Junior Academy students are divided into districts throughout the state according to the following:

 

Guidelines

Research Guidelines

• Missouri Junior Academy adheres to the rules, guidelines, and protocols promoted by the Intel ISEF.
• All projects must follow the same protocols as your regional fair and must be certified by the appropriate committee (SRC or IRB) before experimentation begins.
• If your project is subject to any specific certifications, a copy of the certifications MUST be brought to the state competition.  Presentations without these certifications from their regional science fair committee will not be eligible for competition.
• The necessary certification forms are available through Society for Science and the Public at this website. 

Oral Presentation

• Presentations are limited to twelve minutes with three minutes for questions from judges.  Presenters will not be allowed to go beyond the allotted time.
• Presentations are subject to the following guidelines:

PowerPoint 2000 or newer.

Compatible with Windows XP or newer.

Presentation should be on a portable jump drive.

NO VIDEO CLIPS (mov. Quick Time, Real Player, etc.) will be allowed in the visual presentation.

Presentations will be checked in immediately following registration.  Please plan to arrive early to allow for all steps in the registration process.

 

Poster Presentation

High School Students who have won a district competition and will be competing at the state meeting are welcome to prepare a poster subject to the following guidelines.

• The posters are to be set up prior to the high school paper presentations and remain up until after the High School Awards Ceremony on Friday Afternoon.
• The poster session will be closed to all people except the judges during the judging period (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM).
• The competition is limited to high school students only.
• All poster displays must be free standing and can not exceed the following dimensions (including table):

30 inches (76 centimeters) deep

48 inches (122 centimeters) wide

108 inches (274 centimeters) high including table

• Recognition will be given to each of the top four competitors by the Junior Academy.  Competitors will be placed in appropriate categories and judged within their category.  The categories will vary from year to year depending on the papers submitted.  One cash prize per category is not mandatory.  Only high quality papers will likely be competitive.
• Judging will be based on both technical merit and visual presentation of the research.
• Any project using, Potentially Hazardous Biologicals, DNA, Humans or other Vertebrates must display the appropriately signed ISEF forms with the poster display.
• Direct any questions regarding the poster session to Keesoo Lee, MJAS Director, 573-681-5994 or by e-mail keesoo@lincolnu.edu.

 

Contact

The director of the Junior Academy is:

Dr. Keesoo Lee

Professor of Microbiology

Lincoln University

203 Founder’s Hall

573-681-5994

keesoo@lincolnu.edu

 

Awards

Kirkpatrick Trophy and National Academy Awards

Eva and Kemps Kirkpatrick have supported the Junior Division from its historical beginnings.  Eva served in the past as State director for the Junior Division for two consecutive three-year terms (a record).  In recognition of the Kirkpatrick family’s tireless efforts to build the Junior Division from the ground up to what it is today, the two top Senior High papers are recognized each year with this trophy donated by the Kirkpatricks.  These two students also receive a one-year free membership in the Missouri Academy of Sciences.

Kirkpatrick Junior Eagle Awards

In 1993, Eva and Kemps Kirkpatrick, long-time supporters of Junior Division activities, chose to extend their Senior High “Eagle” trophy recognition already in place for the two top Senior High finalists to include as well the two top Junior High finalists.  (first awarded, 1993.)

Paula Macy Memorial Award

This award is given to a student who completes the most impressive project without using any university or professional laboratory space or equipment during the course of the project.

MO-SCI Corporation Achievement Award

This award recognizes the best poster presentation given by a high school student.

Allhoff Memorial Award

This award recognizes the best earth science paper by a middle level student.  Francis and Margaret Alloff, born at the turn of the last century, did not understand the importance of girls learning science, nor even leaving the house to work in the scientific world.  Yet, they allowed all their daughters and their one son to train and work in this field.  Their forward acceptance of the pace of our world has not only allowed their children to be scientists, but their grandchildren now include a female doctor, a female geologist, and other scientists.  The best earth science paper by a middle level student will receive this award.  (If there is no earth science paper, this award may be given to a related paper.) 

Jan Bulger Memorial Award

This award of a plaque and $25 cash recognizes the best expository writing in a paper by a middle level student.  Jan Bulger was taken in her prime by cancer.  In the few years that she was allowed to teach she gave so much to her reading and English students.  Jan stands tall among teachers, and a paper reflecting her expository writing will receive this award.   (first awarded, 1990.)

Paul Schamburg Memorial Award

This award recognizes the best testing apparatus built by a middle level student.  Paul Schamburg did not have the benefit of a college education, but worked effectively as a carpenter and skilled technician until he died while still in his 50’s.  Mr. Schamburg’s saw that all three of his children were able to obtain an education beyond high school, and he delighted in working with the children in his hometown of Perryville Missouri.  This award will be given to the best testing apparatus, honoring Mr. Schamburg’s skills in carpentry and technology.  (first awarded, 1990.)

Senior High Poster Competition Awards

Fifty dollars cash and a certificate are awarded to the four best posters selected by a special judging team.   (first awarded, 1988.)

Dr. John Paul Morris Award

A plaque and a $25 check are presented each year to a young woman interested in physical science in memory of Dr. John Paul Morris.  Dr. Morris was an early member and strong supporter of the MAS Junior Division and is interested in the encouragement of young women in the sciences.  (first awarded in 1976.)