For Complete Rules and Instructions Read the VJAS Handbook
Forms and Checklists
SUBMISSION CHECK-LIST
(Abridged - Please reference the full handbook for complete rules and procedures.)
(Abridged - Please reference the full handbook for complete rules and procedures.)
- All papers must be on the Reviewr platform by February 21, 2025.
- An application fee is required for each paper submitted by a student or team and is due with the paper. The paper submission deadline for the current year is Friday, February 21, 2025. Invoices are available upon request from the VJAS Office (associate-directorvjas@gmail.com); requests must be made in time to meet the deadline. March 24, 2025
- Members (students from Member Schools and Home School Members). Each Member School submit a single check (single payment) for all of the application fees received from the students from its school. Payment is to be made (or payment method indicated) online via the Reviewr platform.
- The parent/guardian of a Home School Member should submit either a check for his/her child’s application fee. Contact associate.directorvjas@gmail.com. Payment may also be made online via the Reviewr platform.
- Submit VJAS Special Interest Award Applications, paper, and any other requested material using the Reviewr platform by February 21. Follow instructions exactly.
PAPER FORMATTING CHECKLIST
Rules for formatting the paper.
Text. The abstract begins the fourteen (14) pages of text allowed in the body of the paper (all pages are formatted with line spacing set at 1.5-2.0 on 8½” by 11” paper). The paper consists of the following sections which should be labeled, with the labels bolded, underlined, or both.
Rules for formatting the paper.
- The abstract and body of the paper (including all parts of the paper) have been typed/word-processed with line spacing set to no less than 1.5 and not greater than 2.0 (Exception: long quotes, figures, legends, within literature citations).
- All margins - top, bottom, and sides are not less than one inch (1") on ALL pages, including appendices.
- Number the pages, beginning with the abstract which is page 1. Put page numbers in the footer, which can be within the margin and the only exception to the one-inch margin
- The paper font is no smaller than 12 pt. type size using Times New Roman as recommended by APA.
- Do not use footnotes. Use parenthetical citations (Author, Year).
Text. The abstract begins the fourteen (14) pages of text allowed in the body of the paper (all pages are formatted with line spacing set at 1.5-2.0 on 8½” by 11” paper). The paper consists of the following sections which should be labeled, with the labels bolded, underlined, or both.
- Abstract (1 page only): This is the first page of the 14 pages of text.
- Introduction.
- Methods and Materials. Do not list materials - use paragraph format. For projects involving human subjects, informed consent/assent/permission forms and/or parental permission were obtained and will be stated in the Materials and Methods. A copy of the informed consent form has been included as an image in the Materials and Methods section. The image need not take up an entire page.
- Results. Includes a written summary of the results, graphs, tables, figures, and/or photographs of the summarized data, and an analysis of the data.
- Discussion and Conclusions
- Literature Cited: This is not a bibliography or a work cited. It is a list of the literature cited in the text.
- There must be a minimum of three peer-reviewed/scholarly sources for middle school papers and a minimum of five peer-reviewed/scholarly sources for high school papers.
- Each must be cited at least once in the body of the paper.
- List peer-reviewed/scholarly and non-peer-reviewed sources in separate sections.
- Students in grades 9-12 must use APA format, the standard format of the Virginia Journal of Science.
- Students in grades 7-8 may use either MLA or APA format.
- Appendix (optional)
DQ Criteria: VJAS Paper Disqualification Form
This paper has been disqualified for the following reason/reasons:
DOES NOT COMPLY WITH BASIC REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE HANDBOOK
☐ Margins
☐ Type size
☐ Single spaced
☐ Abstract over 1 page
☐ Total paper length (over 14 pages)
☐ Footnotes included
☐ Sponsor submissions verification is missing.
☐ Student-generated forms reference VJAS without prior approval from the director
☐ Improper format (Other). Provide explanation in the comment box.
SAFETY AND PROCEDURES
☐ Failure to include an image of the required Consent Form in the Materials and Methods (humans)
☐ E-coli projects: E-coli K-12 strain is not explicitly stated
☐ IRB committee or the equivalent approval was not attained for projects involving human subjects
☐ Project violates state or federal laws or is deemed unsafe by the VJAS Director
CITATIONS
☐ Missing/not included
☐ Bibliography instead of Literature Cited
☐ Literature Cited is not separated by Peer-Reviewed and Non-Peer Reviewed
PROPER CERTIFICATION FORMS MISSING OR NOT SIGNED in Reviewr
☐ Vertebrate
☐ Human Subject
☐ Recombinant DNA
☐ Tissue/Cells
☐ Pathogenic agents, controlled or toxic substances
☐ Mentor form
INDIVIDUALITY OF WORK
☐ Plagiarism
☐ Overuse of AI Tools
☐ Other is not listed. Provide explanation.:
This paper has been disqualified for the following reason/reasons:
DOES NOT COMPLY WITH BASIC REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE HANDBOOK
☐ Margins
☐ Type size
☐ Single spaced
☐ Abstract over 1 page
☐ Total paper length (over 14 pages)
☐ Footnotes included
☐ Sponsor submissions verification is missing.
☐ Student-generated forms reference VJAS without prior approval from the director
☐ Improper format (Other). Provide explanation in the comment box.
SAFETY AND PROCEDURES
☐ Failure to include an image of the required Consent Form in the Materials and Methods (humans)
☐ E-coli projects: E-coli K-12 strain is not explicitly stated
☐ IRB committee or the equivalent approval was not attained for projects involving human subjects
☐ Project violates state or federal laws or is deemed unsafe by the VJAS Director
CITATIONS
☐ Missing/not included
☐ Bibliography instead of Literature Cited
☐ Literature Cited is not separated by Peer-Reviewed and Non-Peer Reviewed
PROPER CERTIFICATION FORMS MISSING OR NOT SIGNED in Reviewr
☐ Vertebrate
☐ Human Subject
☐ Recombinant DNA
☐ Tissue/Cells
☐ Pathogenic agents, controlled or toxic substances
☐ Mentor form
INDIVIDUALITY OF WORK
☐ Plagiarism
☐ Overuse of AI Tools
☐ Other is not listed. Provide explanation.:
Reader’s Scoring Rubric (on Reviewr; posted here for reference)
ABSTRACT: A concise statement of the problem, approach, key results, and conclusion
INTRODUCTION: Clear statement of rationale (reason) for the project; clear statement of the problem to be addressed; sufficient explanation of background concepts; reflects accepted practices in the STEM discipline; uses a variety of strong valid references
METHODS/MATERIALS: Clear explanation of procedures which includes materials and equipment used; includes safety precautions which are consistent with risk analysis; appropriate use of materials, equipment, and technology; the design is consistent with STEM discipline
RESULTS: Contains sufficient trials, design iterations, or proofs; collected over an appropriate time period; appropriate data tables, graphs, or other visual presentations; appropriate statistical and/or other mathematical methods; addresses unexpected events or data; verbally summarizes key findings
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Relates major findings to problem investigated; uses STEM literature to explain findings; articulates strengths, weaknesses, and improvements needed; describes applications of research and potential future projects
GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PAPER: Consistent with reporting procedures in the STEM discipline; components are clearly and succinctly written; correct spelling and punctuation; references from reliable publications – scholarly and peer-reviewed; follows the required style manual for citations and references
OVERALL EVALUATION OF PAPER
Good (Invited to present.)-points value 3
Fair (Invited to present, if space.)-points value 2
Poor (Not invited to present.)-points value 1
Constructive comment(s):
Note: If your paper did not make presentation status then please make those changes and resubmit next cycle for consideration. We hope this has been a positive learning experience
ABSTRACT: A concise statement of the problem, approach, key results, and conclusion
INTRODUCTION: Clear statement of rationale (reason) for the project; clear statement of the problem to be addressed; sufficient explanation of background concepts; reflects accepted practices in the STEM discipline; uses a variety of strong valid references
METHODS/MATERIALS: Clear explanation of procedures which includes materials and equipment used; includes safety precautions which are consistent with risk analysis; appropriate use of materials, equipment, and technology; the design is consistent with STEM discipline
RESULTS: Contains sufficient trials, design iterations, or proofs; collected over an appropriate time period; appropriate data tables, graphs, or other visual presentations; appropriate statistical and/or other mathematical methods; addresses unexpected events or data; verbally summarizes key findings
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Relates major findings to problem investigated; uses STEM literature to explain findings; articulates strengths, weaknesses, and improvements needed; describes applications of research and potential future projects
GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PAPER: Consistent with reporting procedures in the STEM discipline; components are clearly and succinctly written; correct spelling and punctuation; references from reliable publications – scholarly and peer-reviewed; follows the required style manual for citations and references
OVERALL EVALUATION OF PAPER
Good (Invited to present.)-points value 3
Fair (Invited to present, if space.)-points value 2
Poor (Not invited to present.)-points value 1
Constructive comment(s):
Note: If your paper did not make presentation status then please make those changes and resubmit next cycle for consideration. We hope this has been a positive learning experience
Judge’s Scoring Rubric (on Reviewr; posted here for reference)
I. RESEARCH PAPER
ABSTRACT: A concise statement of the problem, approach, key results, and conclusion (10 points)
INTRODUCTION: Clear statement of rationale (reason) for the project; clear statement of the problem to be addressed; sufficient explanation of background concepts; reflects accepted practices in the STEM discipline; uses a variety of strong valid references (20 points)
METHODS/MATERIALS: Clear explanation of procedures which includes materials and equipment used; includes safety precautions which are consistent with risk analysis; appropriate use of materials, equipment, and technology; the design is consistent with STEM discipline (20 points)
RESULTS: Contains sufficient trials, design iterations, or proofs; collected over an appropriate time period; appropriate data tables, graphs, or other visual presentations; appropriate statistical and/or other mathematical methods; addresses unexpected events or data; verbally summarizes key findings (20 points)
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Relates major findings to problem investigated; uses STEM literature to explain findings; articulates strengths, weaknesses, and improvements needed; describes applications of research and potential future projects (20 points)
GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PAPER: Consistent with reporting procedures in a STEM discipline; components are clearly and succinctly written; correct spelling and punctuation; references from reliable publications – scholarly and peer-reviewed; follows the required style manual for citations and references (10 points)
II. SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION: Comfortable with communicating information (not reading audiovisuals); engages the audience through eye contact, volume, and pace of presentation; uses visuals that are sufficiently large, attractive, and increase audience’s understanding of the topic; comfortable with using technology; stays within the timeframe (35 points)
III. QUALITY OF RESEARCH
Assesses the Quality of Research of the Project. Look to see if the research addresses a high-quality problem which is important for the STEM discipline; seeks to solve a problem whose results are not obvious to the student given their educational background; shows ingenuity in design, methodology, or analysis; strong evidence that student did the work and understands the project (35 points)
GENERAL IMPRESSION: Represents a high-quality project for age, educational background, and/or work environment; evidence of growth in research skills throughout the project; evidence that student is interested and invested in the project; quality of the project in relation to other presenters, e.g. outstanding, good, average, below average (15 points)
I. RESEARCH PAPER
ABSTRACT: A concise statement of the problem, approach, key results, and conclusion (10 points)
INTRODUCTION: Clear statement of rationale (reason) for the project; clear statement of the problem to be addressed; sufficient explanation of background concepts; reflects accepted practices in the STEM discipline; uses a variety of strong valid references (20 points)
METHODS/MATERIALS: Clear explanation of procedures which includes materials and equipment used; includes safety precautions which are consistent with risk analysis; appropriate use of materials, equipment, and technology; the design is consistent with STEM discipline (20 points)
RESULTS: Contains sufficient trials, design iterations, or proofs; collected over an appropriate time period; appropriate data tables, graphs, or other visual presentations; appropriate statistical and/or other mathematical methods; addresses unexpected events or data; verbally summarizes key findings (20 points)
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Relates major findings to problem investigated; uses STEM literature to explain findings; articulates strengths, weaknesses, and improvements needed; describes applications of research and potential future projects (20 points)
GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PAPER: Consistent with reporting procedures in a STEM discipline; components are clearly and succinctly written; correct spelling and punctuation; references from reliable publications – scholarly and peer-reviewed; follows the required style manual for citations and references (10 points)
II. SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION: Comfortable with communicating information (not reading audiovisuals); engages the audience through eye contact, volume, and pace of presentation; uses visuals that are sufficiently large, attractive, and increase audience’s understanding of the topic; comfortable with using technology; stays within the timeframe (35 points)
III. QUALITY OF RESEARCH
Assesses the Quality of Research of the Project. Look to see if the research addresses a high-quality problem which is important for the STEM discipline; seeks to solve a problem whose results are not obvious to the student given their educational background; shows ingenuity in design, methodology, or analysis; strong evidence that student did the work and understands the project (35 points)
GENERAL IMPRESSION: Represents a high-quality project for age, educational background, and/or work environment; evidence of growth in research skills throughout the project; evidence that student is interested and invested in the project; quality of the project in relation to other presenters, e.g. outstanding, good, average, below average (15 points)
