Overview and Important Dates
INTRODUCTION TO THE VJAS
SUPPORTERS
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science notes with appreciation the contribution and support of the hundreds of individuals and the many organizations to the success of the Junior Academy.
VJAS programs need support from industries, organizations, and individuals in Virginia. Gifts to the Junior Academy qualify as charitable contributions, which entitle a donor to federal income, estate, and gift tax exemptions under the IRS code. All fundraising efforts must be cleared through the chair of the Fundraising Committee of the Virginia Academy of Science.
The VJAS Committee acknowledges the support from the following individuals and organizations:
DATES TO REMEMBER
A. AFFILIATION AND OBJECTIVES
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) is directly sponsored by the Virginia Academy of Science (VAS).
The objectives of the VJAS are:
B. HISTORY OF THE VJAS
In 1938 the VAS served as host to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Richmond, Virginia. One important event discussed at this meeting was the rapid development of science clubs in high schools throughout the country, especially the organized associations of science clubs in New York City.
The VAS became interested in these associations' accomplishments, and Dr. Ruskin S. Freer, the incoming president of the VAS, appointed a committee under Dr. L. C. Bird to initiate such work in Virginia. At a meeting in Dean Hortley F. Rudd's office on June 5, 1940, two committees were formed to direct the activities of VJAS - the Virginia Junior Academy of Science Committee and the Virginia Academy of Science Sponsoring Committee.
Invitations to join the VJAS were mailed to all science clubs that had indicated interest, and charters for the VJAS were printed. On May 3, 1941, the first meeting of the VJAS was called to order in Richmond by Mr. Hubert J. Davis, chairman of the VJAS Committee. More than two hundred high school students, delegates from member clubs, visiting officers of the VAS, and guests were present.
Since this first meeting, the VJAS has initiated and promoted a variety of important programs, including an annual meeting, the presentation of awards, sponsoring radio science quiz shows, the publication of scientific documents, and the preparation of a VJAS film (now replaced by a video) to encourage science students in Virginia. The VJAS has grown rapidly from a nucleus of 17 clubs to over 100 affiliated schools. Many of the Senior Academy members instrumental in the formation of the VJAS have maintained their interest in its progress and have continued to guide its affairs. Financial support has been provided by organizations and individuals throughout the Commonwealth.
SUPPORTERS
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science notes with appreciation the contribution and support of the hundreds of individuals and the many organizations to the success of the Junior Academy.
VJAS programs need support from industries, organizations, and individuals in Virginia. Gifts to the Junior Academy qualify as charitable contributions, which entitle a donor to federal income, estate, and gift tax exemptions under the IRS code. All fundraising efforts must be cleared through the chair of the Fundraising Committee of the Virginia Academy of Science.
The VJAS Committee acknowledges the support from the following individuals and organizations:
- The Virginia Environmental Endowment
- Bethel High School Science Club
- The Virginia Academy of Science
- American Cancer Society
- Virginia Sea Grant College Program
- Richmond Area Speleological Society
- Virginia Chapter, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
- American Junior Academy of Science
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- National Association of Academies of Science
- Virginia Tech Chapter, Gamma Sigma Delta (Agriculture)
- Jeffers Fund
- Ann Hancock Cell Biology & Genetics
- Dr. and Mrs. Preston Leake
- Catesby Jones Fund
- Carpenter & Berry Funds
- Botany Award
- Old Dominion University
- Randolph College
- Randolph-Macon College
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Hampton University
- Dr. Russell J. Rowlett
- American Society of Naval Engineers - Tidewater Section
- Arlington County Public Schools
- Friends of the Museum of Natural History
- Virginia Space Grant Consortium
- Ertle Thompson Memorial Endowment Award
- Dr. R. Dean Decker Honorarium Award
- Phil Robinson VJAS Research Grants Fund
- Virginia Environmental Business Council
- VAS Franklin D. Kizer Teacher Development Fund Awards
- Virginia Peninsula Engineers
- Kizer Science Education Fund
- Dorothy Knowlton Consumer Science
- Geology Speleological Society
- Dr. Roscoe D. Hughes Genetics
- Dr. Smith Shadomy Infectious Diseases
- Joyce K. Peterson Middle School
- Donald Cottingham
- Virginia Association of Biological Educators
- Vera B. Remsburg
- POWER Engineers, Inc. and POWER Foundation
DATES TO REMEMBER
- November 1, 2023
- Deadline to apply for Phil Robinson Research Grants
- Complete by January 15, 2024. Students will not be able to submit papers until Sponsors complete the registration
- Deadline for school sponsors to register their schools’ with VJAS on Reviewr. (https://my.reviewr.com/site/VJAS/SchoolMembership/2024)
- Deadline for individual members to contact the VJAS Office (associate.directorvjas@gmail.com) and to register.
- Note: There is no longer a school or individual membership fee.
- Deadline for submitting papers.
- Note: Students with papers accepted are expected to present at the Symposium, students not asked to present their papers are invited as participants to the Annual Meeting.
- All papers and entry forms (i.e. mentor forms, officer applications, letters of recommendation) must be submitted by Friday, February 23, 2024
- Deadline for the following applications and scholarships:
- VJAS Officers
- Honor Award Applications
- Scholarships (VEE, Bethel, etc.)
- Friday, February 23, 2024
- All papers must clear Sponsor’s Review by Monday, March 4, 2024.
- Deadline for students to edit submission and sponsors’ review. Sponsors confirm submitted papers
- March 24, 2024
- Deadline for sponsors to submit one payment for all of their students’ ($45 per paper) Symposium fees. Payment link will be sent to sponsors.
- Check website (www.vjas.org) March 27
- Notification of meeting participants' statuses
- By email to the VJAS Associate Director by April 19 (end of day)
- Deadline for sponsors to:
- confirm the participation of all of their accepted students.
- to notify the VJAS Office of any student(s) that cannot participate.
- to notify the VJAS Office of any name or paper title corrections.
- to notify the VJAS Office of early or late presentation times requests during the Symposium. For example ACT and SAT tests.
- VJAS Research Symposium (virtual for 2024)
- Jeffers Memorial Lecture: May 3, 2024
- Symposium: May 4, 2024
- Awards Ceremony: May 19, 2024
A. AFFILIATION AND OBJECTIVES
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) is directly sponsored by the Virginia Academy of Science (VAS).
The objectives of the VJAS are:
- Meeting Virginia’s Standards of Learning
- Encouraging the development of practices used by scientists, engineers, and mathematicians
- Identifying students who are providing leadership in solving important problems
- Developing leadership qualities
- Encouraging the pursuit of careers in science, mathematics, and applied fields
- Teaching students how to develop a project, conduct research, draw conclusions, and make public presentations
- Fostering fellowship between VJAS and the Virginia Academy of Science
B. HISTORY OF THE VJAS
In 1938 the VAS served as host to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Richmond, Virginia. One important event discussed at this meeting was the rapid development of science clubs in high schools throughout the country, especially the organized associations of science clubs in New York City.
The VAS became interested in these associations' accomplishments, and Dr. Ruskin S. Freer, the incoming president of the VAS, appointed a committee under Dr. L. C. Bird to initiate such work in Virginia. At a meeting in Dean Hortley F. Rudd's office on June 5, 1940, two committees were formed to direct the activities of VJAS - the Virginia Junior Academy of Science Committee and the Virginia Academy of Science Sponsoring Committee.
Invitations to join the VJAS were mailed to all science clubs that had indicated interest, and charters for the VJAS were printed. On May 3, 1941, the first meeting of the VJAS was called to order in Richmond by Mr. Hubert J. Davis, chairman of the VJAS Committee. More than two hundred high school students, delegates from member clubs, visiting officers of the VAS, and guests were present.
Since this first meeting, the VJAS has initiated and promoted a variety of important programs, including an annual meeting, the presentation of awards, sponsoring radio science quiz shows, the publication of scientific documents, and the preparation of a VJAS film (now replaced by a video) to encourage science students in Virginia. The VJAS has grown rapidly from a nucleus of 17 clubs to over 100 affiliated schools. Many of the Senior Academy members instrumental in the formation of the VJAS have maintained their interest in its progress and have continued to guide its affairs. Financial support has been provided by organizations and individuals throughout the Commonwealth.