The American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) is the only US honor society recognizing America's premier high school students for outstanding scientific research. Each state's Academy of Science nominates high school students as AJAS delegates. The chosen delegates are then invited to attend the AJAS annual conference. The AJAS mission is to introduce, encourage, and accelerate pre-college students into the professional world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Each state's Academy of Science determines the guidelines by which their AJAS delegates are chosen. In many cases, the Academy of Science organizes a Junior Academy of Science. Under the direction of the Junior Academy, a statewide scientific research competition is held.
The winners of these competitions are nominated to represent their state at the AJAS conference. Interested students and mentors should contact their state Academy of Science for information on how to get involved.
 
AJAS meets annually in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) annual meeting. AAAS is the largest scientific organization in the world and the publisher of Science. AAAS serves as an authoritative source for information on the latest developments in science and bridges gaps among scientists, policy-makers and the public to advance science and science education.
During the conference, AJAS delegates:

• tour local institutions of scientific importance,
• share their research with their peers and with other scientists,
• participate in interactive laboratory experiences
• attend conference sessions
• gain exposure to cutting edge technology,
• meet world-renowned scientists,
• participate in field trips, plenary lectures, and small group meetings

At the end of the meeting, the students are inducted as lifetime Fellows into the American Junior Academy of Science.
 
AJAS is very unique because it is not a competition, rather it is a conference that celebrates student success by introducing them to the social, cultural, intellectual, and professional aspects of STEM professions. AJAS is a program of the National Association of the Academics of Science (NAAS). NAAS is the national organization for the state science academies and is an affiliate member of AAAS.

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2024 NAAS/AJAS Program 

In-person events in Denver, CO.: Feb. 14 to 17, 2024

• Registration, Hilton Denver City Center                                                  2:00-5:00pm
• Opening Reception and Keynote Speaker, Hilton Denver City Center  6:30pm

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science Tour                                             10:00am-3:00pm
  • Delegates can alternately take metro to the AAAS conference for the plenary and scientific sessions. Lunch on your own.
• AAAS Annual Meeting Plenary Session                                                  Afternoon/Evening

• AAAS Plenary Sessions and Workshops                                                  Morning
• Banquet and Tours at the Denver Aquarium                                             2:00pm (Bus pick-up)

• Breakfast with Scientists, Hilton Denver City Center                                 8:00-10:00 am
• AJAS Poster Session, AAAS Convention Center Expo Hall                     Afternoon

• NAAS Board Meeting                                                                                 Morning
• Depart Denver                                                                                            Morning

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In-person Travel and Arrival information