The
2009 Region IX PJAS Meeting at SRU
Photos from the 2009 PJAS Awards Ceremony
Photos from the 2009 PJAS Judges Meeting
Mark your calendars now! Next year's PJAS Region IX Meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2010!
The Region IX Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science met at SRU for the twelfth consecutive year.
It was the 52nd Annual Meeting of Region IX!
Approximately 535 students, grades 7-12, presented the results of their
science research projects. The opportunity to host the Region IX Meeting and
have these high school and junior high students — interested in math and
science — on our campus is an opportunity not only to foster this interest in
the sciences, but also to familiarize these students with Slippery Rock and let
them see the exciting possibilities we offer here at SRU in math and science.
Typically, three judges evaluate up to
ten short presentations by students who have completed
research projects. Many of the students spend long hours working with
their sponsors in designing and carrying out the project, then preparing to
present it at the Region IX meeting. Judges often comment on the
exceptional quality of many of the projects presented at the
meeting.
Judges have included college professors, high school teachers, people in business and medical professions in the disciplines, and college students. Judges have an opportunity to ask questions following the formal student presentation, then each judge independently rates the presentation. "First Place" winners earn the right to compete at the state competition in May. All judges attended a complimentary luncheon and judges' meeting to discuss the criteria and scoring in Weisenfluh Dining Hall. Dr. William Sigmund welcomed the judges on behalf of Robert Smith, SRU President, who was called away due to a family emergency. Dean Susan Hannam welcomed the students at their evening awards ceremony.
Slippery Rock University is once again offering scholarships to the top senior (grade 12) and junior (grade 11) presenters. This year's stipend is again $12,000 ($3000. per year, renewable for four years, to the top junior and senior presenter). Award winners are announced shortly after the competition.
The Departments of Biology and Mathematics awarded $100. prizes to the top
senior high and junior high presentations in their respective disciplines.
This year, for the first time, the Biology Department matched the student awards
with $100. mentor awards to the winning student sponsors (see awards
ceremony).
Mrs. Leah Ann Williams and Mr. Ray Greco are the Co-Directors of Region IX of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of
Science. Former regional director Pete Carando is the
director
of the state-wide Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.
View the 2008 PJAS Meeting Page
You can also follow links on Dr. Sigmund's webpage to earlier years' meeting photos.
If you have any questions, reply via email or call Dr. Sigmund at 724-738-2481