PJAS Competition Finds New Home at Penn State Behrend
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) region 10 competition for the first time this year. Some 675 students from more than 35 schools will participate in the February 17 contest.
“The move to Penn State Behrend was well-planned and highly anticipated by teachers, students and sponsors,” said Fay Nelson, a science teacher at Our Lady’s Christian School and region 10 contact. “Our goal was to partner with a growing campus that places an emphasis on advancements in technology.”
Students who earned first place in their respective school competitions will present individual science research in a variety of topic areas. The sponsoring schools include Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral Center, Cathedral Prep, Corry Area middle and high schools, Erie Day School, Jefferson Elementary, Fairview middle and high schools, General McLane High School, Harbor Creek junior and senior high schools, Harding, J.S. Wilson, J.W. Parker, Luther Memorial Learning Center, McDowell intermediate and senior high schools, North East middle and high schools, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady’s Christian, Sacred Heart, Seton, St. Boniface, St. George, St. James, St. John/Holy Rosary Eastside, St. Luke, St. Thomas, Villa Maria elementary and academy, and Walnut Creek.
More than 150 volunteers, who are graduate students, college professors and industry scientists, will judge the presentations, including 50 from Penn State Behrend.
All student presenters will receive an award and some will be eligible for multiple honors.
“Regional competitions are particularly important for high school juniors and seniors, since these students are eligible for the Pennsylvania Science Talent Search,” said Nelson. “Participating in PJAS can provide students with recommendations, contacts, interviews for universities and colleges, access to scholarship funds, and further research opportunities in science and math.”
In addition, students who receive first-place awards at both the regional and state levels are eligible for awards of excellence. Region 10 expects to award more than $4,000 in special awards for students in grades 7 through 12 this year.
PJAS holds its state meet at the Penn State University Park campus annually. Students who earn first place at regionals will present at the state competition in May.
Penn State Behrend is a comprehensive residential college offering 31 baccalaureate, six associate, four pre-professional and two graduate degree programs with 21 minors to more than 4,000 students. For more information, visit www.behrend.psu.edu.