Alaska Statewide High School Science Symposium - Program Objectives and Significance the
Program Objectives
The ASHSSS is a regional event, with winners going on to participate in the National
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). The JSHS is administered by the Academy
of Applied Science and is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force. These organizations also provide funding to regional symposia, including the ASHSSS.
The ASHSSS program objectives are those of our parent national organization, the JSHS. The
objectives of the JSHS program are:
- To promote research and experimentation in the sciences,
technology, mathematics, and engineering at the high
school level.
- To recognize the significance of research
in human affairs and the importance of humane and ethical
principles in the application of research results.
- To search out talented youth and their teachers, recognize
their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their
continued interest and participation in the sciences,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
- To expand
the horizons of research-oriented students by exposing
them to opportunities in academic, industrial, and
governmental communities.
- To increase the number of future
adults capable of conducting research and development.
Program Significance
The program's significance and results lie in the fact that: pre-college
students are provided a forum for exceptional work, unique challenges,
significant personal growth, and monetary rewards beyond normal high
school experiences; encourages them to look beyond high school and to
what post secondary education has to offer them as potential students
coming with undergraduate-level research experience, some of which is
now being published in refereed scientific journals; excellent incentives
to do well are provided through the $4K scholarship, 7 full one-year
tuition scholarships to UAF, $3.5K in CIF ("cash in fist"-so meaningful
to teenagers) grants for placing 1st ($200), 2nd ($150), 3rd ($100),
or 4th ($50) in the preliminaries; plaques, pins, memorabilia, and certificates.
Student learning curves rise steeply in the performance and understanding
of science research; thus, lessening the hiatus that separates high
school experiences from the university campus. Perhaps more important
is the building of tremendous senses of self esteem, self directed learning,
and self respect. Our participants are not only winning additional scholarships
nationally. They are also gaining acceptances to prestigious institutions
and graduate programs such as those offered by major universities throughout
the country. Assessments are being made by conducting exhaustive 'sleuthing'
through student and parent interviews documenting what 'graduates' of
the ASHSSS really are choosing to do beyond high school, college, and
graduate school (see questioning rubric).
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