Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Showcases Future STEM Leaders

More than 600 students and teachers from approximately 40 high schools across New York are meeting on campus for two days this week to present their original research at the 34th Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS).

The students are finalists from two regional competitions – one in the Capital District at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School and one in Westchester County at John Jay High School. Winners this week
will move on to present their research for scholarships at the 57th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, which takes place April 24-27, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Presentations, which are judged by a number of scientists and industry experts, including representatives from UAlbany, began yesterday with opening remarks from Jeanette Altarriba, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and JSHS directors Leonard Behr and Tim Lance.

“We have had tremendous growth in this symposium over the last 30 years and I think a lot of that is due to the many mentors, advisors, teachers and instructors that are here today. These are the people that help us make this event so successful,” said Altarriba.

A keynote address last night by former JSHS finalist, Swarnav S. Pujari, who is an engineer, entrepreneur and material scientist, highlighted a full day of poster presentations by students.

Today, student finalists from five categories of science will compete for top honors before another panel of judges in the Campus Center Ballroom. Robert Griffin, dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, will also present a workshop at 10:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Board Room entitled “Things that Go Bump in the Night (and the Day): Technologies that will Fascinate, Horrify, and Change Your World.”

JSHS is co-directed by Behr, University in the High School Program’s director of Science Research in the High School; and Lance, a UAlbany distinguished service professor emeritus in Mathematics and Statistics and president of the New York State Education and Research Network.

UAlbany, the University in the High School Program, the National Science Teachers Association, the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, and University Auxiliary Services at Albany all sponsor the Upstate NY JSHS.

For more information, visit the Upstate NY JSHS website.

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