Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a state-wide science fair in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1934.[1] It includes both a regional meet as well as a state meet at Penn State University.[2] The science fair is open to all students of participating schools in grades 7-12. Winners of regional meets are invited up to the state meet, where they are given the opportunity to win a wide range of scholarships up to $2,000.
Regional Meetings
The program is split up into 12 regions (Including regions 1a, 1b, and 1c) which span from Philadelphia to Lake Erie. Each of these regions holds a private science fair at the end of winter (usually February or March.) At each state meet, students are separated into groups of 10-14 based on what category their project is in. These groups present before the same judges are have their scores announced together.
Scoring Rubric
PJAS, unlike many other science fairs, is judged based on a rubric rather than the other participating students. The rubric consists of 5 categories, each of which has a maximum score of 5. To go on to the state meet, participants must receive a 1st Award (an average score of 4 or greater) or a perfect score (25 points.) Participants who receive 2nd awards (an average score between 3 and 3.99) may be eligible to go on the state trip as a timer. Participants that go over 10 minutes in presentation length are automatically disqualified for a 1st award.
State Meeting
The state meeting is held at the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University in the middle of May. Participants spend 3 days on campus (Sun.-Tues.) and stay in the college dorms.[3] On the second day, presentation and awards take place. Anyone who scores a 1st award or perfect score must also attend a special award ceremony.
The special award ceremony has a range of monetary prizes. Most notably are the $2,000/year Penn State scholarships in Engineering as well over 12 assorted prizes ranging from $500–$2,000.[4] These special awards are meant to reward the most gifted and dedicated participants in the program.