Alaska Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Founded by the U.S. Army in 1958 and joined by the Navy and Air Force after 1995, the primary aim of JSHS is to encourage students at the high school level to engage in original STEM research in preparation for future STEM career pathways.  Under the authority 10 USC section 2192 (Improvement of education in technical fields: general authority regarding education in science, mathematics, and engineering), the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force designed JSHS to expose students to and educate them about STEM research opportunities across the Defense Industrial Base, while advancing the nation's scientific and technological progress. The participation in regional and National JSHS symposia enables students to present their research in a forum of peer researchers and practicing researchers from the government (in particular Department of Defense or DoD), industry, and academia. In addition, JSHS students receive public recognition and awards for their research achievements, while competing for scholarship funds.

JSHS is designed to:

  • Promote research and experimentation in STEM at the high school level
  • Recognize the significance of research in human affairs and the importance of humane and ethical principles in the application of research results
  • Search out talented youth and their teachers, recognize their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their continued interest and participation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering
  • Recognize innovative and independent research projects of youth in regional and national symposia
  • Expose students to academic and career opportunities to STEM and to the skills required for a successful pursuit of STEM
  • Expose students to STEM opportunities and careers in DoD laboratories
  • Increase the future pool of talent capable of contributing to the national scientific and technological workforce

Contact information

If you have more questions or concerns, please contact: Javier Fochesatto, PhD at gjfochesatto@alaska.edu.