WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All undergraduate and graduate students (who are NJAS members) from NJ institutions can participate under the senior academy division.

This virtual competition will give students the opportunity to have their research abstract published in the NJAS journal "The Bulletin"; serve as NJ Academy of Science delegate at the 2023 "American Association for the Advancement of Science" at the senior academy level; and allow participants to add this experience to their resumes.

We are honored to host postdoctoral fellows and faculty who would like to present in this division and the registration fee will be waived.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

This year, the requirements to participate in the research competition will include three parts: an 8-10 minutes presentation,  a written abstract, and headshot picture of the participant. 

Virtual Live Presentation  May 14, 2022

ABSTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Follow these instructions carefully (improperly prepared abstracts/missing info may cause rejection of your abstract):

1. We will only accept abstracts that are submitted in electronic form.  The preferred format is MS Word, Arial font, size 12, fully justified.  RTF format is also acceptable.  

2. The abstract should be approximately 200 words long, excluding title, author and school or institution affiliation information.

3. Type the title in bold and all capitals, except for scientific names.

4. Start authors with the first author. Underline the name of the presenting author. The presenting author must be an active NJAS member. If the presenting author is a student, type (student) after the presenter's name. 

5. All abstracts MUST be received by March 18th 2022. Late abstracts/meeting registrations are not accepted. 

6. All  video submissions and registration fees MUST be received by April 4th, 2022. Late abstracts/meeting registrations are not accepted.  

7. You will be notified by e-mail after your video and registration submissions have been received and accepted.

Example of typical abstract:

SYNTHESIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF TERPENYL ETHERS - A COOPERATIVE COLLEGIATE-INDUSTRY PRODUCT

Joe Smith (student), Jane Doe, Chemistry Department, Kean University, Union NJ 07083

A series of terpenyl ethers was synthesized and analyzed for purity and structure.  The ethers were submitted for aroma quality evaluation…

PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS

For the presentation, students will submit a video of their PowerPoint with a voice over explaining their project.

The PowerPoint must have the following components:

1. Title Slide (Title, Name)

2. Introduction (Rationale)

3. Objective & Hypothesis

4. Assumptions

5. Materials, Equipment, Facilities

6. Procedure

7. Data

8. Graphs

9. Data Analysis

10. Conclusion

11. Plans for Further Research

Participants should consider the following questions before submitting final presentation:

1. Scientific Thought 

   1. Does the project follow the scientific method?

   2. Is the problem clearly stated?

   3. Are the procedures appropriate and organized?

   4. Is the information collected accurate and complete?

2. Creative Ability 

   1. How unique or original is the project idea?

   2. Is it significant or unusual for a student of this age?

3. Understanding 

   1. Does the project explain what the student learned about the topic?

   2. Does the project represent real study and effort?

   3. Does the project show the child is familiar with the topic?

4. Clarity 

   1. Does the student clearly communicate the nature of the problem, how the problem was solved, and the conclusion?

   2. Are the problems, procedures, data, and conclusions presented clearly and in a logical order?

   3. Does the student clearly and accurately articulate in writing what was accomplished?

   4. Is the objective of the project likely to be understood by one not trained in the subject area?

5. Presentation 

   1. Is your display or presentation visually appealing?

   2. Is the proper emphasis given to important ideas?

   3. Are all the components of the project present and executed well?

   4. Is the project within the time limit of 8-10 minutes? (deduce 3 points for every 30 seconds over/under the limit)